Patents by Inventor Nicholas A. Leech

Nicholas A. Leech has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230364488
    Abstract: Electronic tracking systems are disclosed for assisting users with locating objects in a sporting environment. One such system includes a ball tracking component that tracks a game ball while moving in the sporting environment, and a heads up display that is worn by the user. This heads up display has an electronic display screen with a transparent display area that dynamically displays images within the user's field of view. A processor, which communicates with the ball tracking component and heads up display, is programmed to detect movement of the game ball, and responsively determine launch characteristics and/or flight characteristics of the moving game ball. The heads up display displays the launch/flight characteristics contemporaneous with an object indication adjacent to or superimposed over the moving game ball as the game ball is visible through the transparent display area of the display screen within the user's field of view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Leech
  • Patent number: 11752417
    Abstract: Electronic tracking systems are disclosed for assisting users with locating objects in a sporting environment. One such system includes a ball tracking component that tracks a game ball while moving in the sporting environment, and a heads up display that is worn by the user. This heads up display has an electronic display screen with a transparent display area that dynamically displays images within the user's field of view. A processor, which communicates with the ball tracking component and heads up display, is programmed to detect movement of the game ball, and responsively determine launch characteristics and/or flight characteristics of the moving game ball. The heads up display displays the launch/flight characteristics contemporaneous with an object indication adjacent to or superimposed over the moving game ball as the game ball is visible through the transparent display area of the display screen within the user's field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Leech
  • Patent number: 11541294
    Abstract: An electronic golf aid system for assisting users with reading greens on golf courses includes a camera that captures images of the user's field of view, and an electronic display device with a display screen that displays captured images. A processor, which communicates with the camera and display device, is programmed to: receive signals from the camera indicative of images of a golf ball and a cup on the green; determine respective locations for the golf ball and cup; determine a perspective view of the topology of the green between the golf ball and cup from the user's point of view; determine, based on the green's topology, a proposed trajectory line from the golf ball's location to the cup's location; and direct the electronic display device to display the proposed trajectory line superimposed on the surface of the green as the green is shown in real-time on the display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Leech, Michael Wallans
  • Publication number: 20220314099
    Abstract: Electronic tracking systems are disclosed for assisting users with locating objects in a sporting environment. One such system includes a ball tracking component that tracks a game ball while moving in the sporting environment, and a heads up display that is worn by the user. This heads up display has an electronic display screen with a transparent display area that dynamically displays images within the user's field of view. A processor, which communicates with the ball tracking component and heads up display, is programmed to detect movement of the game ball, and responsively determine launch characteristics and/or flight characteristics of the moving game ball. The heads up display displays the launch/flight characteristics contemporaneous with an object indication adjacent to or superimposed over the moving game ball as the game ball is visible through the transparent display area of the display screen within the user's field of view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Leech
  • Patent number: 11400356
    Abstract: Electronic tracking systems are disclosed for assisting users with locating objects in a sporting environment. One such system includes a ball tracking component that tracks a game ball while moving in the sporting environment, and a heads up display that is worn by the user. This heads up display has an electronic display screen with a transparent display area that dynamically displays images within the user's field of view. A processor, which communicates with the ball tracking component and heads up display, is programmed to detect movement of the game ball, and responsively determine launch characteristics and/or flight characteristics of the moving game ball. The heads up display displays the launch/flight characteristics contemporaneous with an object indication adjacent to or superimposed over the moving game ball as the game ball is visible through the transparent display area of the display screen within the user's field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Leech
  • Publication number: 20220105418
    Abstract: An electronic tracking system for assisting a user in determining distances to landmarks and objects in a sporting environment includes a user tracking system for determining the location of a user, a heads up display for displaying information to the user, and a processor operable to communicate with the user tracking system and the heads up display. The heads up display is designed to be worn on the user's head, and to display an image within the user's field of view. The processor is programmed to determine a distance between the user's determined location and an object or a landmark on. This information is displayed via the heads up display as a numeric representation of the determined distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Leech
  • Patent number: 11229829
    Abstract: An electronic tracking system for assisting a user in determining distances to landmarks and objects in a sporting environment includes a user tracking system for determining the location of a user, a heads up display for displaying information to the user, and a processor operable to communicate with the user tracking system and the heads up display. The heads up display is designed to be worn on the user's head, and to display an image within the user's field of view. The processor is programmed to determine a distance between the user's determined location and an object or a landmark on. This information is displayed via the heads up display as a numeric representation of the determined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Leech
  • Publication number: 20210308549
    Abstract: A golf aid system for assisting a user with a golf shot on a golf course includes a user tracking system configured to determine the location of the user on the golf course, a portable electronic device with a display screen, and a processor. The processor, which is operable to communicate with the user tracking system and the portable electronic device, is configured to determine one or more target locations on the golf course, with each of the target locations representing a recommended target for a respective one of the golf clubs. The processor directs the portable electronic device to display an indicator of the respective golf club proximate the corresponding target location via the display screen, such that the user perceives at least a portion of the indicator to be coincident with the corresponding one of the target locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Leech
  • Patent number: 11058937
    Abstract: A golf aid system for assisting a user with a golf shot on a golf course includes a user tracking system configured to determine the location of the user on the golf course, a portable electronic device with a display screen, and a processor. The processor, which is operable to communicate with the user tracking system and the portable electronic device, is configured to determine one or more target locations on the golf course, with each of the target locations representing a recommended target for a respective one of the golf clubs. The processor directs the portable electronic device to display an indicator of the respective golf club proximate the corresponding target location via the display screen, such that the user perceives at least a portion of the indicator to be coincident with the corresponding one of the target locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Leech
  • Patent number: 11040244
    Abstract: Golf performance and equipment characteristics may be determined by analyzing the impact between a golf ball and an impacting surface. In some examples, the impacting surface may be a golf club face. The impact between the golf ball and the surface may be measured based on sound and/or motion sensors (e.g., gyroscopes, accelerometers, etc.). Based on motion and/or sound data, various equipment-related information including golf ball compression, club head speed and impact location may be derived. Such information and/or other types of data may be conveyed to a user to help improve performance, aid in selecting golf equipment and/or to insure quality of golfing products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Hadden, Douglas A. Thornton, Bradley C. Glenn, Nicholas A. Leech, Arthur Molinari
  • Publication number: 20210162292
    Abstract: Electronic tracking systems are disclosed for assisting users with locating objects in a sporting environment. One such system includes a ball tracking component that tracks a game ball while moving in the sporting environment, and a heads up display that is worn by the user. This heads up display has an electronic display screen with a transparent display area that dynamically displays images within the user's field of view. A processor, which communicates with the ball tracking component and heads up display, is programmed to detect movement of the game ball, and responsively determine launch characteristics and/or flight characteristics of the moving game ball. The heads up display displays the launch/flight characteristics contemporaneous with an object indication adjacent to or superimposed over the moving game ball as the game ball is visible through the transparent display area of the display screen within the user's field of view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Leech
  • Patent number: 10940382
    Abstract: Electronic tracking systems are disclosed for assisting users with locating objects in a sporting environment. One such system includes a ball tracking component that tracks a game ball while moving in the sporting environment, and a heads up display that is worn by the user. This heads up display has an electronic display screen with a transparent display area that dynamically displays images within the user's field of view. A processor, which communicates with the ball tracking component and heads up display, is programmed to detect movement of the game ball, and responsively determine launch characteristics and/or flight characteristics of the moving game ball. The heads up display displays the launch/flight characteristics contemporaneous with an object indication adjacent to or superimposed over the moving game ball as the game ball is visible through the transparent display area of the display screen within the user's field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Leech
  • Publication number: 20200230480
    Abstract: An electronic golf aid system for assisting users with reading greens on golf courses includes a camera that captures images of the user's field of view, and an electronic display device with a display screen that displays captured images. A processor, which communicates with the camera and display device, is programmed to: receive signals from the camera indicative of images of a golf ball and a cup on the green; determine respective locations for the golf ball and cup; determine a perspective view of the topology of the green between the golf ball and cup from the user's point of view; determine, based on the green's topology, a proposed trajectory line from the golf ball's location to the cup's location; and direct the electronic display device to display the proposed trajectory line superimposed on the surface of the green as the green is shown in real-time on the display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Leech, Michael Wallans
  • Publication number: 20200164262
    Abstract: An electronic tracking system for assisting a user in determining distances to landmarks and objects in a sporting environment includes a user tracking system for determining the location of a user, a heads up display for displaying information to the user, and a processor operable to communicate with the user tracking system and the heads up display. The heads up display is designed to be worn on the user's head, and to display an image within the user's field of view. The processor is programmed to determine a distance between the user's determined location and an object or a landmark on. This information is displayed via the heads up display as a numeric representation of the determined distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Leech
  • Patent number: 10646765
    Abstract: An electronic golf aid system for assisting users with reading greens on golf courses includes a camera that captures images of the user's field of view, and an electronic display device with a display screen that displays captured images. A processor, which communicates with the camera and display device, is programmed to: receive signals from the camera indicative of images of a golf ball and a cup on the green; determine respective locations for the golf ball and cup; determine a perspective view of the topology of the green between the golf ball and cup from the user's point of view; determine, based on the green's topology, a proposed trajectory line from the golf ball's location to the cup's location; and direct the electronic display device to display the proposed trajectory line superimposed on the surface of the green as the green is shown in real-time on the display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Leech, Michael Wallans
  • Publication number: 20200078653
    Abstract: An electronic golf aid system for assisting users with reading greens on golf courses includes a camera that captures images of the user's field of view, and an electronic display device with a display screen that displays captured images. A processor, which communicates with the camera and display device, is programmed to: receive signals from the camera indicative of images of a golf ball and a cup on the green; determine respective locations for the golf ball and cup; determine a perspective view of the topology of the green between the golf ball and cup from the user's point of view; determine, based on the green's topology, a proposed trajectory line from the golf ball's location to the cup's location; and direct the electronic display device to display the proposed trajectory line superimposed on the surface of the green as the green is shown in real-time on the display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Leech, Michael Wallans
  • Patent number: 10576354
    Abstract: An electronic tracking system for assisting a user in determining distances to landmarks and objects in a sporting environment includes a user tracking system for determining the location of a user, a heads up display for displaying information to the user, and a processor operable to communicate with the user tracking system and the heads up display. The heads up display is designed to be worn on the user's head, and to display an image within the user's field of view. The processor is programmed to determine a distance between the user's determined location and an object or a landmark on. This information is displayed via the heads up display as a numeric representation of the determined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Leech
  • Patent number: 10512831
    Abstract: An electronic golf aid system for assisting users with reading greens on golf courses includes a camera that captures images of the user's field of view, and an electronic display device with a display screen that displays captured images. A processor, which communicates with the camera and display device, is programmed to: receive signals from the camera indicative of images of a golf ball and a cup on the green; determine respective locations for the golf ball and cup; determine a perspective view of the topology of the green between the golf ball and cup from the user's point of view; determine, based on the green's topology, a proposed trajectory line from the golf ball's location to the cup's location; and direct the electronic display device to display the proposed trajectory line superimposed on the surface of the green as the green is shown in real-time on the display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Leech, Michael Wallans
  • Publication number: 20190381384
    Abstract: Electronic tracking systems are disclosed for assisting users with locating objects in a sporting environment. One such system includes a ball tracking component that tracks a game ball while moving in the sporting environment, and a heads up display that is worn by the user. This heads up display has an electronic display screen with a transparent display area that dynamically displays images within the user's field of view. A processor, which communicates with the ball tracking component and heads up display, is programmed to detect movement of the game ball, and responsively determine launch characteristics and/or flight characteristics of the moving game ball. The heads up display displays the launch/flight characteristics contemporaneous with an object indication adjacent to or superimposed over the moving game ball as the game ball is visible through the transparent display area of the display screen within the user's field of view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Leech
  • Patent number: 10478700
    Abstract: A system, device, and methods include or utilize a microphone, a processor, and a user interface. The microphone senses sound and in response outputs a sound signal indicative of the sound. The processor is coupled to the microphone to receive the sound signal, configured to analyze the sound signal to identify in the sound signal an impact of a golf club with a golf ball during a swing of the golf club and determine a characteristic of the swing of the golf club based on a portion of the sound signal corresponding to sound sensed, at least in part, before the impact. The user interface is coupled to the processor and configured to display information related to the characteristic of the swing as determined by the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Leech