Abstract: Switching between communication ports of a notebook is typically accomplished using an off-chip local area network (LAN) switch or an off-chip high speed analog multiplexer. This off-chip component is disadvantageous for several reasons, including: added cost of an additional component; increased overall power consumption because transmit amplitude loss; and reduced cable reach and link performance due to hybrid mismatch and signal distortions. To reduce cost and preserve electrical and networking performance, an integrated switch is provided to multiplex signals of a networking communication chip to multiple network paths.

Abstract: A system and method for shot tracking disclosed herein. The system preferably includes a golf club and a receiver. The golf club preferably includes an active RFID transponder, a power source, a switch and an accelerometer.

Abstract: A circuit for transmitting a RFID signal while conserving the battery power for a circuit in continuous operation is disclosed herein. The circuit includes a RFID component, a microprocessor, an accelerometer, a gyroscope and a battery. The battery preferably has no more than 225 milliamp hours of power. The accelerometer is preferably a multiple axis accelerometer. The circuit is preferably utilized with a device for shot tracking.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for conserving power for a shot tracking device for attachment to a golf club. The method involves transmitting a plurality of signals from a shot tracking device attached to a golf club. The shot tracking device is enabled to determine that a threshold number of signals has been transmitted by the shot tracking device and a receipt signal has not been received by the shot tracking device, which in turn deactivates the shot tracking device until a predetermined event occurs.

Abstract: A system and method for shot tracking disclosed herein. The system preferably includes a golf club and a receiver. The golf club preferably includes an active RFID transponder, a power source, a switch and an accelerometer.

Abstract: A golf GPS device is disclosed herein. The device includes a GPS unit, a memory for storing data for a plurality of golf courses, a display for displaying animations of portions of golf courses, a user input for inputting a plurality of location points on the display, and a processor comprising means for rendering the animations of portions of golf courses from a plurality of latitude and longitude coordinate points.

Abstract: A device for tracking a golfer's shot during a round of golf wherein the device comprises a housing, a battery having no more than 225 milliamp hours of power, a microprocessor and an accelerometer. The accelerometer is preferably a multiple axis accelerometer. The circuit is preferably utilized with a device for shot tracking.

Abstract: A method for predicting a golfer's swing speed, wherein the method comprises determining that the golfer is addressing a golf ball to swing a golf club, monitoring a backswing, determining a transition time, monitoring a downswing, determining an impact time, transmitting data for the golfer's swing to a receiver for analysis and generating a golfer's swing speed using a length of a shaft of the golf club.

Abstract: The present invention relates to shot tracking. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and system for tracking shots of a golfer during a round of golf. One aspect of the present invention is a system for automatically tracking a golf club swung by a golfer. The system comprises a plurality of golf clubs. Each of the plurality of golf clubs comprises a device attached to a grip which is attached to a shaft which is attached to a golf club head. The device comprises a power source, a shock switch and a RFID component.

Abstract: A method by which properties of a component (18) formed of a ductile iron alloy and having thick sections can be promoted with an austempering process. The method entails casting a ductile iron alloy containing iron, carbon, silicon and alloying constituents. The casting is solidified at a rate that inhibits segregation of the alloying constituents to grain boundaries of the casting, and so that the casting contains graphite nodules having a count of greater than 100 nodules per mm2. The casting is then austempered by heating to an austenitization temperature to yield a microstructure having a single-phase matrix of austenite that contains carbon, and then quenching the casting to an austempering temperature. The casting is held at the austempering temperature for a duration sufficient to yield a microstructure whose matrix is mostly ausferrite and essentially free of martensite and pearlite.

Abstract: A coupling arrangement is provided for connecting shaft components. The coupling arrangement includes a first shaft component having an end with a recess defined therein, and a second shaft component axially aligned with the first shaft component and seated within the recess. The first shaft component has an outer diameter surface in a region concentric with the recess. A single-piece clamping disk has a matching inner diameter surface and a circumferentially extending groove defined in the inner diameter surface, as well as a radially extending injection channel defined between an outer diameter surface of the clamping disk and the groove.

Abstract: A method for predicting a golfer's swing speed, wherein the method comprises determining that the golfer is addressing a golf ball to swing a golf club, monitoring a backswing, determining a transition time, monitoring a downswing, determining an impact time, transmitting data for the golfer's swing to a receiver for analysis and generating a golfer's swing speed using a length of a shaft of the golf club.

Abstract: A circuit for transmitting a RFID signal while conserving the battery power for a circuit in continuous operation is disclosed herein. The circuit includes a RFID component, a microprocessor, an accelerometer, a gyroscope and a battery. The battery preferably has no more than 225 milliamp hours of power. The accelerometer is preferably a multiple axis accelerometer. The circuit is preferably utilized with a device for shot tracking.

Abstract: A golf GPS device is disclosed herein. The device includes a GPS unit, a memory for storing a plurality of aerial images of a golf course, a display for displaying the plurality of aerial images, a user input for inputting a plurality of location points on an aerial image of the plurality of aerial images displayed on the display, and a processor comprising means for determining a distance between any two points on a golf course.

Abstract: Switching between communication ports of a notebook is typically accomplished using an off-chip local area network (LAN) switch or an off-chip high speed analog multiplexer. This off-chip component is disadvantageous for several reasons, including: added cost of an additional component; increased overall power consumption because transmit amplitude loss; and reduced cable reach and link performance due to hybrid mismatch and signal distortions. To reduce cost and preserve electrical and networking performance, an integrated switch is provided to multiplex signals of a networking communication chip to multiple network paths.

Abstract: A portable golf GPS device comprising a microprocessor operably coupled to a GPS unit, an input device such as a keypad (or touch screen) operably coupled to the microprocessor, a voice recognition unit operably coupled to the microprocessor, and a display such as a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) operably coupled to the microprocessor. A program memory system which contains at least some of the software and data to operate the device is also operably coupled to the microprocessor. The portable golf GPS device is preferably contained in a housing such that the entire device has a very compact and lightweight form factor, and is preferably handheld and/or pocket size. The golf GPS device is configured to display distances to course features, and to receive and process voice input in order to select functions or input data into the golf GPS device.

Abstract: A system and method for shot tracking disclosed herein. The system preferably includes a golf club and a receiver. The golf club preferably includes an active RFID transponder, a power source, a switch and an accelerometer.

Abstract: A portable golf GPS device comprising a microprocessor operably coupled to a GPS unit, an input device such as a keypad (or touch screen) operably coupled to the microprocessor, a voice recognition unit operably coupled to the microprocessor, and a display such as a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) operably coupled to the microprocessor. A program memory system which contains at least some of the software and data to operate the device is also operably coupled to the microprocessor. The portable golf GPS device is preferably contained in a housing such that the entire device has a very compact and lightweight form factor, and is preferably handheld and/or pocket size. The golf GPS device is configured to display distances to course features, and to receive and process voice input in order to select functions or input data into the golf GPS device.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for transmitting a RFID signal while conserving battery power of a circuit. The method comprises charging a capacitor using a battery. The battery is in electrical communication with a resistor and the resistor is in electrical communication with a capacitor and a load switch. The load switch is in electrical communication with an enabler and a microprocessor. The microprocessor is in electrical communication with a radiofrequency component. The load switch is closed, allowing power drawn from the capacitor to flow to the radiofrequency component.