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 method for determining an orientation of a putterhead of a putter during a putting stroke, wherein the method comprises determining that the golfer is addressing a golf ball to swing a putter, monitoring the putterhead orientation during the backswing, determining a transition time, monitoring the putterhead orientation during a downswing, determining an orientation of the putterhead at impact time, transmitting data for the orientation of the putterhead to a receiver for analysis.

Abstract: A method for analyzing 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 point, monitoring a downswing and transmitting data for the golfer's swing to a receiver for analysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for conserving battery power during shipping for an impact activated device for transmitting a radiofrequency signal. The method comprises forming an impact activated device for transmitting a radiofrequency signal. The shot tracking device is shipped in commerce and received at a retailer. The shot tracking device is stored at the retailer, wherein the battery has at least 90% of its capacity until paired with a receiver.

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 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: A device for tracking a golfer's shot during a round of golf wherein the device comprises a housing composed of a polymer material, the housing having a main body and a projection body extending from the main body, the projection body having a length ranging from 1 mm to 5 mm and a diameter ranging from 20 mm to 25 mm, a battery, 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 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: 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.

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 system and method for shot tracking is disclosed herein. The system preferably includes a golf club and a receiver. The golf club preferably includes an active radiofrequency component, a power source and a shock switch. When the golf club strikes a golf ball, the shock switch closes thereby powering the radiofrequency component which sends a signal to the receiver for automatically tracking a golfer's round of golf.

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 method for tracking a golfer's round of golf, wherein the method comprises determining a first location of a GPS device, receiving a signal from a first golf club, recording the first location, determining a second location of the GPS, receiving a signal from a second golf club, determining the distance from the first location and the second location and recording the distance as a distance for a first shot of the golfer.

Abstract: A method for displaying a portion of a golf course and a golfer's location on a handheld device. The method comprises retrieving coordinates for a golfer's location, selecting a geographical region, determining a golf course from a plurality of stored golf courses, selecting a portion of the golf course for display, processing golfer's input, and displaying the aerial image or rendered animation.

Abstract: A roof ridge vent for installation overlying an open roof ridge to provide ventilation to a space beneath a roof is provided. The ridge vent is a continuous, elongate mat of randomly convoluted polymeric filaments having an openwork upper face, an openwork opposite lower face, a plurality of hollow recesses extending into the mat and opening into the lower face, and opposite longitudinally-extending openwork side edges. The openwork upper face is formed of randomly convoluted filaments formed to provide a relatively flat surface of sufficient density to catch heads of fasteners. The plurality of hollow recesses is defined by a plurality of upstanding openwork walls of convoluted filaments that extend from the upper face to the lower face of the mat. The upstanding openwork walls are arranged in a latticework structure such that no unobstructed passageways extend through the mat through which wind-blown rain and snow can freely pass into the side edges of the mat and laterally pass through the mat.

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 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 shot tracking device for attachment to a golf club. The shot tracking device comprises a housing, a battery, and a circuit board. A plurality of board components are disposed on the circuit board, the plurality of comprise a microprocessor, a resistor, a capacitor, a load switch and a RFID chip.

Abstract: A method for pairing a golf club to a receiver for shot tracking is disclosed herein. The method comprises activating a receiver, striking a golf club against a solid object to activate a device attached to a grip of the golf club, transmitting a signal from the golf club to the receiver, receiving the signal at the receiver, inputting the type of golf club associated with identification of the signal and storing the type of golf club in the memory of the receiver.

Abstract: A device for shot tracking is disclosed herein. The device comprises a housing, a battery disposed within the housing, a circuit board disposed within the housing, a sensor disposed on the circuit board, a plurality of board components disposed on the first side and the second side of the circuit board, wherein the shot tracking device transmits a signal when the golf club strikes a golf ball, the signal comprising identification of the golf club.

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.