Method and apparatus for determining parameters of the motion of an object
US5401026A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 29, 1993 |
| Grant date | Mar 28, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 29, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA63B2220/89
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for determining a desired parameter of the motion of an object. In one embodiment, the device can be used to calculate the estimated carry distance of a golf shot. The golfer uses a keypad to enter the golf club and the units of measure for the output display. A Doppler radar system is employed to illuminate the golf ball. A reflected return signal is detected and difference pulses are generated, having a frequency which is proportional to the velocity of the ball. The difference pulses are processed by a microprocessor to determine if the radar beam has "locked" onto the ball. If so, the microprocessor calculates the carry distance by relating the average period of the difference pulses to a projected carry distance through empirically determined data. The carry distance can be displayed on the device, on a remote display, and/or can be stored in memory for later recall or transmission to an external computer. The microprocessor can also be used to determine if the difference pulses it receives are related to the motion of a ball struck by the user of the apparatus by comparing incoming data to characteristic patterns of club-h…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.