SYSTEM FOR TRACKING AND ANALYZING BALL LOCATION DATA

Abstract

A system for tracking and analyzing ball location data has been developed. The system includes an active radio frequency identification (RFID) marker located within an object and an RFID signal receiver. Additionally, the system includes a mobile computer device, personal device, and storage database. Finally, the system includes an interface with outside computer programs and a visual display for users.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent No. 61/930,046 entitled “System for Tracking And Analyzing Ball Location Data” that was filed on Jan. 22, 2014.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to a system for tracking ball locations and analyzing ball location data.

BACKGROUND ART

Golfers often lose track of their golf balls during the game due to the ball's travel into surrounding wooded areas. This can cause various issues for a player, including delay, penalization, and cost. Time delays caused by searching for lost or errant balls have created “the most significant problem in golf: pace of play,” per Jack Nicholas. As a result, attempts have been made to incorporate radio frequency identification (“RFID”) technology into golf balls in order to track location with a corresponding receiver. However, these systems typically involve a standalone receiver, which the player must carry in addition to other equipment. In addition, these systems have been extremely limited and can only provide a narrow set of data to a user.

An added difficulty for players involves the analysis of individual technique with regard to swinging a golf club. Again, systems for evaluating such have been utilized, but typically take place in an indoor facility rather than on an outside course. Therefore, a player cannot objectively evaluate his or her swing by using the golf ball's ultimate location, trajectory path, and other outside data, or track progress throughout an entire round of golf. Due to these issues, a need exists for a system that tracks a golf ball's location and trajectory while providing the capability to maintain past data and incorporate data from outside computer programs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In some aspects, the invention relates to a system for tracking and analyzing object location data, comprising: an active radio frequency identification (RFID) marker located within an object; a RFID signal receiver; a mobile computer device; and a personal device.

In other aspects, the invention relates to a system for tracking and analyzing object location data, comprising: an active radio frequency identification (RFID) marker located within an object; a RFID signal receiver; a mobile computer device; an interface with outside computer programs; a storage database; and a visual display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

It should be noted that identical features in different drawings are shown with the same reference numeral.

FIG. 1 shows a diagram of the work flow of a system for tracking and analyzing ball location data in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional diagram of the internal structure of a golf ball, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional diagram of the internal structure of a golf ball, in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a diagram of a visual display on a personal device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a diagram of the work flow of a system for tracking and analyzing ball location data in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a diagram of the work flow of a system for tracking and analyzing ball location data in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a diagram of the work flow of a system for tracking and analyzing ball location data in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A system for tracking and analyzing ball location data has been developed. It should be understood that the present invention may be applied to a broad range of industries outside sports, where object location tracking in combination with outside data may be desired. The present invention provides the capability to track the location and trajectory of a golf ball, while maintaining a record of past locations and trajectory paths. Additionally, the present invention provides the capability to incorporate data from outside computer programs in order to provide more complete information. Features of the system include: an active RFID marker within the golf ball or other object to be tracked; a receiver for receiving the transmitted location signal; a mobile computer device for processing and analyzing the location signal; the ability to visually display trajectory paths and location results on a personal mobile device; interfaces with outside computer programs; and ability to view, interpret and analyze data from a mobile application.

FIG. 1 shows a diagram of the overall functionality and work flow of a system 20 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, location data is provided by an active RFID marker 36 located within a golf ball 10, which is more fully described below and is shown in FIG. 2. This data is received by a receiver 12, which in turn sends the location data to a mobile computer device 14. The mobile computer device 14 may perform a variety of functions, based on user preference. For example, the mobile computer device 14 may contain a storage database for storing location data. Furthermore, the mobile computer device 14 may analyze the location data by comparing with past location data, or incorporating outside computer data into a compilation for user review. The mobile computer device 14 may analyze the trajectory of the golf ball 10 with regard to past trajectory paths, thus allowing the golfer to objectively determine whether a change in swing technique affected his or her performance. In addition, the mobile computer device 14 may process the location data, or convert the data into different formats, and provide output to a user's personal device 16. The output data provided to the personal device 16 may be in a format that will allow the personal device 16 to display information such as swing speed, yardage, or distance by club in a visual manner.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional diagram of the internal structure of a golf ball 10, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the golf ball 10 contains an inner core 32, as well as an outer layer 34. The golf ball 10 also includes an RFID marker 36, which is known to those skilled in the art to transmit a signal to a corresponding receiver. The active RFID marker 36 may be placed directly within the inner core 32 or between the inner core 32 and outer layer 34. Alternatively, the RFID marker 36 may be placed within the outer layer 34 at a location further outward from the core.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional diagram of the internal structure of a golf ball 10, in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the golf ball 10 contains an inner core 32, as well as an outer layer 34. The golf ball 10 also includes an active RFID marker 36, which may be located inside the inner core 32. Varying methods for manufacturing a golf ball 10 with an internal active RFID marker 36 may be used. Although not shown herein, it should be understood to those skilled in the art that a golf ball 10 may contain various layers in addition to those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and that any number of variations exist for the location and placement of the active RFID marker 36 within the golf ball 10.

FIG. 4 shows a diagram of a personal device 16, as shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the personal device includes a visual display 42, allowing for the graphic representation of location data, trajectory path, swing speed, and other output data from the mobile computer device 14. The type of data and manner of illustration which are shown by the visual display 42 are dependent upon user preference.

FIG. 5 shows a diagram of the overall functionality and work flow of a system 20 in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the receiver 12 is located within the mobile computer device 14. When the receiver 12 receives location or trajectory data, it may be directly linked to other functions within the mobile computer device 14. The mobile computer device 14 may then perform various functions as described above. In addition, the mobile computer device 14 may be linked to an interface 50, which will allow the system 20 to incorporate data from outside computer programs. This capability allows a player to maintain various data points with regard to the entire round of golf. For example, factors such as wind or precipitation may affect the trajectory of the ball; therefore, a golfer may wish to record the location of the ball in conjunction with weather conditions at the time. Incorporating data from an outside computer program for monitoring weather conditions would allow the player to maintain such a record.

FIG. 6 shows a diagram of the overall functionality and work flow of a system 20 in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the personal device 16 contains both the mobile computer device 14 and the receiver 12. The inclusion of these elements of the system 20 provides a more convenient manner for tracking and maintaining the data sent from within the golf ball 10 by eliminating the need for separate devices.

FIG. 7 shows a diagram of the overall functionality and work flow of a system 20 in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the personal device 16 contains the mobile computer device 14. In addition, the personal device 16 may be linked to an interface 50 to outside computer programs. As noted above, the inclusion of various elements of the system 20 provides a more convenient manner for tracking and maintaining data. Although not shown, the interface 50 may also be located within the personal device 16, thus allowing the personal device 16 to access other computer programs internally and incorporate and process other data directly.

Although the structure of the mobile computer device 14 has been described in a limited manner, the present invention may be implemented using a variety of structures for such. For example, the mobile computer device 14 may be composed of a microprocessor. Alternatively, the mobile computer device 14 may be a tablet computer, laptop computer, cellular telephone with computing capabilities, other type of personal computing or mobile device, or Global Positioning System (GPS) device.

Although the structure of the personal device 16 has been described in a limited manner, the present invention may be implemented using a variety of structures for such. For example, the personal device 16 may be composed of a microprocessor. The personal device 16 may be a tablet computer, laptop computer, cellular telephone with computing capabilities, other type of personal computing or mobile device, or Global Positioning System (GPS) device. In addition, the personal device may contain the mobile computing device 14 as described above.

An additional system feature may include the capability to store and process data using a specialized computer program located within the personal device 16. As a result, the present invention may provide the capability to intelligently process and categorize data based on user input to the personal device 16.

In summary, the present invention of a system for tracking and analyzing ball location data has at least the following advantages:

• • providing the ability to monitor and record the location of a golf ball;
  • providing the ability to increase the pace of play, reduce average hours per round, and increase golf course throughput;
  • providing the ability to monitor and record the trajectory path of a golf ball;
  • providing the ability to track the golf ball's location or trajectory path with regard to past data and in conjunction with other data, such as the specific hole on a golf course, or weather conditions;
  • providing the ability to view location, trajectory, and other data on a personal device;
  • providing the ability to perform the foregoing functions on or with a smaller number of devices, such as the incorporation of both the mobile computer device and receiver into the personal device; and
  • providing personal and relevant swing data for analysis and player improvement.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed here. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the attached claims.

Claims

1. A system for tracking and analyzing object location data, comprising:

an active radio frequency identification (RFID) marker located within an object;

a RFID signal receiver;

a mobile computer device; and

a personal device.

2. The system of claim 1, where the mobile computer device includes a visual display.

3. The system of claim 1, where the personal device includes a visual display.

4. The system of claim 1, where the mobile computer device includes a storage database.

5. The system of claim 1, where the mobile computer device is located within the personal device.

6. The system of claim 1, where the mobile computer device includes an interface with outside computer programs.

7. The system of claim 1, where the receiver is located within the mobile computer device.

8. The system of claim 1, where the receiver is located within the personal device.

9. The system of claim 1, where the RFID marker is located at the concentric center of the object.

10. The system of claim 1, where the object comprises an inner core and an outer layer.

11. The system of claim 10, where the RFID marker is located within the object at a radial distance outside the inner core.

12. The system of claim 10, where the RFID marker is located between the inner core and outer layer.

13. A system for tracking and analyzing object location data, comprising:

an active radio frequency identification (RFID) marker located within an object;

a RFID signal receiver;

a mobile computer device;

an interface with outside computer programs;

a storage database; and

a visual display.