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.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a bulk product includes an interactive display. The system may be linked to another system which selects a variety of the bulk product and automatically causes the dispenser to dispense the selected variety. The dispensing system may also include a container associated with a remote carrier, so that the bulk product may be dispensed into the container in which the user wishes to store the bulk product long term.

Abstract: The present invention provides three golf ball recommendations correlating to ball fit values calculated using subject criteria, objective criteria and a composite fit value employing both subjective and objective criteria. The concept of the invention is to attempt to quantify even the subjective parameters of golfer's game and answers to survey questions in order to provide an avenue for quantitative analysis for golf ball fitting. The ball fit values are a construct based on a scale devised for this method to quantify how difficult or easy a golf ball is to play.

Abstract: A golf aid includes a user tracking system configured to determine the location of a user on a golf course, a processor, and a heads up display. The heads up display is configured to be worn on the user's head, and to display an image within a field of view of the user. The processor is in communication with the user tracking system and with the heads up display, and configured to determine a distance between the location of the user and an object, and provide an indication of the determined distance to the user via the heads up display.

Abstract: A ball having enhanced visibility to video camera- or radar-based launch monitoring and/or tracking systems includes a core, an intermediate layer, a cover or outer surface having a reflective material incorporated therein or applied thereto. The reflective material may be retro-reflective crystals, reflective metal, a conductive polymer, or a reflective coating. The reflective material may be added to an ink used to print indicia on the ball, or incorporated into a paint or other coating applied to the ball. The reflective material may be applied during manufacture of a ball, or existing balls may be retrofitted to contain a reflective material.

Abstract: Methods for selecting golf balls based on environmental factors are provided. Such methods involve indicating a golfing environment and establishing one or more corresponding environmental factors. Such methods may include ascertaining one or more trajectory components that are dependent upon the environmental factors. One or more aspects of golf ball construction may pertinent to the environmental factors, or to the trajectory components, may then be determined. Upon identifying a plurality of golf balls and a selection criteria related to the golf ball construction aspects, a golf ball may be selected.

Abstract: A method and system of subjective evaluation of golf ball performance for golf ball fitting analysis to match a golf ball to a golfer's subjective preferences is described. A golfer subjectively evaluates the performance of one or more golf balls against different subjective criteria. Analysis of the subjective evaluation is used to determine a golf ball that maximizes or most closely conforms to the golfer's subjective preferences. A kit of parts is provided to allow a golfer to subjectively evaluate multiple golf balls to each other to determine a golfer's preference or to recommend another golf ball. The kit includes different types of golf balls and a fitting tool that is used by the golfer to evaluate his or her subjective preferences. The fitting tool can be calibrated to the specific subjective perceptions of a golfer. The fitting tool can also be customized to a specific course.

Abstract: A system for tracking a golf ball and displaying an enhanced image of the golf ball is disclosed. The system may display an enhanced image of the golf ball on a display such that the enhanced image is imposed upon a user's real world view. Displaying an enhanced image of the golf ball may help a user view the trajectory of the golf ball and find the golf ball after the golf ball lands. The system may display an enhanced image of the golf ball on a heads-up display configured to be worn on a person's head such that the user may view the enhanced image while remaining hands-free. The enhanced image may enable a user to compare the golf ball's trajectory with an ideal trajectory. The system may display other information, such as launch and flight information about the ball, on the heads-up display.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a bulk product includes an interactive display. The system may be linked to another system which selects a variety of the bulk product and automatically causes the dispenser to dispense the selected variety. The dispensing system may also include a container associated with a remote carrier, so that the bulk product may be dispensed into the container in which the user wishes to store the bulk product long term.

Abstract: Methods for evaluating and providing selections of recommended golf balls, golf ball constructions, and configurations of golf ball construction components are provided. Such methods may involve obtaining or measuring spin measurements against a plurality of golf clubs for each of a plurality of golf balls. A linear relationship may be used to determine a spin slope for each golf ball on the basis of the set of spin measurements associated with that golf ball. In turn, a selection of a recommended golf ball, golf ball construction, or configuration of a ball construction component may be made based upon which golf ball has the larger spin slope.

Abstract: A method and system determine a plurality of golf ball construction characteristics that constitute a golf ball construction. Each of the plurality of golf ball construction characteristics is determined on the basis of at least a measurement related to a golf shot parameter value obtained from samples of a specific golfer's golf swing. Accordingly, the golf ball construction may be custom-fit to golf swings of a specific golfer.

Abstract: A system for tracking a golf ball and displaying an enhanced image of the golf ball is disclosed. The system may display an enhanced image of the golf ball on a display such that the enhanced image is imposed upon a user's real world view. Displaying an enhanced image of the golf ball may help a user view the trajectory of the golf ball and find the golf ball after the golf ball lands. The system may display an enhanced image of the golf ball on a heads-up display configured to be worn on a person's head such that the user may view the enhanced image while remaining hands-free. The enhanced image may enable a user to compare the golf ball's trajectory with an ideal trajectory. The system may display other information, such as launch and flight information about the ball, on the heads-up display.

Abstract: Alternate characterizations of golf ball striking ability is provided, as well as methods for determining the alternate characterizations and systems for carrying out such determinations. Such methods may include performing one or more golf strikes to impart trajectories to one or more golf balls. Such methods may also include measuring each of the golf strikes to determine golf club head, golf ball speed, side spin angle, and offline angle, calculating a trajectory magnitude factor and a trajectory offline factor on the basis of the measurements, and reducing the trajectory magnitude factor by the trajectory offline factor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining an angle of attack of a golf swing based on multiple ball hitting is disclosed. Multiple golf balls of different known constructions are hit by a golfer. Club head speed and backspin data associated with each of the hit golf balls is measured. Based on a correlation between an angle of attack and measured data associated with the golf balls of different known constructions, an angle of attack of a golf swing can be determined. Different sets of golf balls of known constructions can be provided based on characteristics of a golfer. A kit including at least three golf balls of different known constructions and a database containing the correlation between data associated with the at least three golf balls and an angle of attack is also disclosed.

Abstract: A portable movement capture device is described. The portable movement capture device includes one or more cameras that capture high-speed video or still images of a player performing a sports activity. In one embodiment, the sports activity is a golf swing of a golfer. The portable movement capture device is arranged in a housing with one or more cameras and may optionally include a number of additional components to assist with capturing information associated with a player performing a sports activity. The captured information is analyzed using a method of finite element analysis to isolate a portion of the captured information. With this arrangement, specific regions of a player are analyzed, individually, or relatively with other regions, for a particular movement associated with the sports activity. A handheld motion capture device is also described that combines components of a portable movement capture device with an integrated display.

Abstract: A system and method for incentivizing recycling of collected products by providing both an incentive award and information about the post-recycling stream designation of the collected products to a user. The collected products are assigned a trace element which is machine readable data input, with scanners or detectors disposed along the recycling stream. Once a decision is made regarding the recycle designation for a collected product, that information is provided to the user. A computer program that stores and calculates the award could be used to calculate analogous or ancillary calculations regarding post-recycling designations to enable comparisons with other users and online competition.

Abstract: A system for capturing high quality sound information from an impact includes a microphone stand and microphone array. The microphone stand is configured so that the microphone array arranged thereupon is focused on a single point so that ambient noise may be reduced.

Abstract: A method and system for capturing, transmitting, and displaying golf swing data uses data capture elements in golf balls or golf clubs to capture data and transmission elements to transmit the golf swing data to a mobile computing auxiliary device. The mobile computing auxiliary device relays the captured and transmitted golf swing data to a mobile computing device. The mobile computing device transmits the golf swing data to a database. A server associated with the database generates web pages to make the golf swing data available over the internet.