Patent Publication Number: US-7911186-B1

Title: Method and system for shot tracking

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to shot tracking. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and circuit for transmitting a RFID signal while conserving battery power. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Golf clubs combine with the players swing to propel a ball toward a favored location and through a favored path. The orientation and speed of the club head at impact largely determines the ball path including carry distance and roll. 
     The prior art is lacking in a method and circuit to measure the motion of the club through measurement of the shaft, while conserving battery power. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is novel in that the observation of the relative motion does not depend on near visible light and uses a coherent pattern to capture the position of the club relative the ground antenna transmitter/receiver. This fixed device also includes a display, computing capability and recording device. This information, when processed, enables the display of the swing and uses data on the club head and ball to calculate the flight of the ball. 
     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. A signal is transmitted from the radiofrequency component, wherein a peak current of transmission of the signal is limited to 2 milliamps. A confirmation signal is received at the radiofrequency component, wherein the radiofrequency component operates at 2.4 giga-Hertz. The load switch is then opened and the capacitor is charged at a controlled rate. 
     The present invention further comprises 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 comprises a housing, a battery disposed within the housing, a sensor, and a plurality of board components disposed on a circuit board, the plurality of board components including a microprocessor. 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. The threshold number of signals ranges from 5 to 50. 
     Having briefly described the present invention, the above and further objects, features and advantages thereof will be recognized by those skilled in the pertinent art from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of components of the circuit. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of components of a system for the method, including the main body and projection body extending downward. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the shot tracking device and the housing component. 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration of the circuit diagram of the components of a system for shot tracking. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart of a method of conserving power of a circuit. 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram of components of a system for shot tracking with the switch open. 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram of components of a system for shot tracking with the switch closed. 
         FIG. 8  is an illustration of a system for shot tracking. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1 . shows components of the system which can be attached to a golf club. Alternatively, the components can be integrated into a golf club. 
       FIG. 2  shows the components of a system for shot tracking, including the main body of the housing and a projection extending downward. 
       FIG. 3  shows the housing component of the shot tracking device and illustrates the diameter. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a circuit diagram of the present invention. The components of the system  20  within the golf club  50  preferably include a power source, such as a battery  24 , a GPS unit  30 ( a ), an RFID component  30 ( b ), a capacitor  30 ( c ), a resistor  30 ( d ), and an enabler  30 ( e ). 
       FIG. 5  is a flow chart of a method  1000  for conserving power for the circuit. At block  1001 , a plurality of signals is transmitted from the shot tracking device attached to the golf club head. At block  1002 , the threshold number of signals that have been transmitted by the shot tracking device without the receiving a receipt signal is determined. At block  1003 , the shot tracking device is deactivated until the occurrence of a predetermined event. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates components of the system located within a golf club prior to impact of a golf club with a golf ball. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates components of the system located within a golf club subsequent to impact of a golf club with a golf ball. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates the system  20 . A transponder in a golf club  50  swung by a golfer sends a signal  62  to a receiver  60 . The receiver is attached to a golf bag  61 , however, those skilled within the pertinent art will recognize that the receiver may be attached to any pertinent device including the golfer, or may stand alone. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a shot tracking device  20  for attachment to a golf club  50  comprises a housing  22 , a battery  24  disposed within the housing and a circuit board  26  disposed within the housing  22 . A sensor  28  is disposed on the circuit board  26 . A plurality of components  30  are disposed on both the first and second side of the circuit board  26 . The shot tracking device  20  transmits a signal when the golf club  50  strikes a golf ball and the signal comprises the identification of the golf club  50 . 
     Preferably, the housing  22  is a rubberized material formed around the battery  24 , the circuit board  26 , the sensor  28  and the plurality of chips. In an alternative embodiment, the housing  22  is an epoxy material formed around the battery  24 , the circuit board  26 , the sensor  28  and the plurality of components  30 . 
     The plurality of components, disposed on the circuit board  26 , include a microprocessor, an RFD component  30 ( b ), a capacitor  30 ( c ), a resistor  30 ( d ) and an enabler  30 ( e ). In one embodiment, the sensor  28  is a load switch. The housing  22  preferably comprises a main body  22 ( a ) and a projection body  22 ( b ). The projection body  22 ( b ) preferably has a length that ranges from 5 mm to 1 mm. The housing  22  preferably has a diameter, D, that ranges from 20 mm to 25 mm. The battery  24  is preferably a CR1620 having at least 75 milliamps of power. 
     The plurality of board components  30  includes a microprocessor. The shot tracking device  20  transmits a signal when the golf club  50  strikes an object. The signal comprises the identification of the golf club  50 . The microprocessor is configured to deactivate transmissions of the signal when a threshold number of signals are transmitted by the shot tracking device  20  and a receipt signal is not received by the shot tracking device  20 . The threshold number of signals ranges from 5 to 50. The threshold number of signals preferably ranges from 10 to 40, more preferably from 15 to 30 and is most preferred to be 20. Each signal transmitted consumes approximately 2 milliamps of power. The signal comprises a frequency of approximately 2.4 GHz. 
     The method of the present invention comprises charging a capacitor  30 ( c ) using a battery  24 . The battery  24  is in electrical communication with a resistor  30 ( d ) and the resistor  30 ( d ) is in electrical communication with a capacitor  30 ( c ) and a load switch  28 . The load switch  28  is in electrical communication with an enabler  30 ( e ) and a microprocessor. The microprocessor is in electrical communication with a radiofrequency component  30 ( b ). The load switch  28  is closed, allowing power drawn from the capacitor  30 ( c ) to flow to the radiofrequency component  30 ( b ). A signal  62  is transmitted from the radiofrequency component  30 ( b ), wherein a peak current of transmission of the signal  62  is limited to 2 milliamps. A confirmation signal is received at the radiofrequency component  30 ( b ), wherein the radiofrequency component operates at 2.4 giga-Hertz. The load switch  28  is then opened and the capacitor  30 ( c ) is charged at a controlled rate. 
     The circuit  26  for transmitting a RFID signal  62  while conserving battery power comprises a battery  24  in electrical communication with a resistor  30 ( d ), wherein the battery  24  is a three volt battery and the resistor  30 ( d ) controls the rate at which the capacitor  30 ( c ) is charged. The resistor  30 ( d ) is in electrical communication with the capacitor  30 ( c ) and a load switch  30 ( f ). The capacitor  30 ( c ) is preferably a 1 micro Faraday capacitor. The load switch  30 ( f ) is in electrical communication with the microprocessor  30 ( a ), wherein when the load switch  30 ( f ) is closed, current drawn from the capacitor  30 ( c ) is allowed to flow to the microprocessor  30 ( a ). The microprocessor  30 ( a ) is in electrical communication with a radiofrequency component  30 ( b ), wherein a signal  62  is transmitted from the radiofrequency component  30 ( b ) and a confirmation signal is received at the radiofrequency component  30 ( b ), wherein the radiofrequency component  30 ( b ) operates at 2.5 giga-Hertz. A peak current of transmission of the signal is limited to 2 milliamps. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the shot tracking device  20  comprises a housing  22  with a main body  22 ( a ) and a projection body  22 ( b ) extending downward from the main body  22 ( a ). A battery  24  is disposed within the housing  22  and a circuit board  26  is disposed within the housing  22  and below the battery  24 . The circuit board  26  is double sided, and has a shock switch disposed on the second side. A plurality of components  30 , including a microprocessor, an RFID chip  30 ( b ), a capacitor  30 ( c ), a resistor  30 ( d ), and an enabler  30 ( e ), are disposed on both the first and second side of the circuit board  26 . The shot tracking device  20  transmits a signal when the golf club  50  strikes a golf ball, the signal comprising an identification of the golf club  50 . 
     The plurality of board components  30  includes a microprocessor. The shot tracking device  20  transmits a signal when the golf club  50  strikes an object. The signal comprises the identification of the golf club  50 . The microprocessor is configured to deactivate transmissions of the signal when a threshold number of signals are transmitted by the shot tracking device  20  and a receipt signal is not received by the shot tracking device  20 . The threshold number of signals ranges from 5 to 50. The threshold number of signals preferably ranges from 10 to 40, more preferably from 15 to 30 and is most preferred to be 20. Each signal transmitted consumes approximately 2 milliamps of power. The signal comprises a frequency of approximately 2.4 GHz. 
     Preferably, the housing  22  is a rubberized material formed around the battery  24 , the circuit board  26 , the sensor  28  and the plurality of chips. Alternatively, the housing  22  is an epoxy material formed around the battery  24 , the circuit board  26 , the sensor  28  and the plurality of board components  30 . 
     The battery  24  is preferably a CR1620 having at least 75 milliamps of power. Preferably, the sensor  28  is a shock switch. The housing  22  preferably has a diameter, D, that ranges from 20 mm to 25 mm. The projection body  22 ( b ) preferably has a length that ranges from 5 mm to 10 mm. 
     The present invention further comprises a method for conserving power for a shot tracking device  20  for attachment to a golf club  50 . The method  1000  involves transmitting a plurality of signals from a shot tracking device  20  attached to a golf club  50 . The shot tracking device  20  comprises a housing  22 , a battery  24  disposed within the housing  22 , a sensor  28 , and a plurality of board components  30  disposed on a circuit board  26 , the plurality of board components  30  including a microprocessor. The shot tracking device  20  is enabled to determine that a threshold number of signals has been transmitted by the shot tracking device  20  and a receipt signal has not been received by the shot tracking device  20 , which in turn deactivates the shot tracking  20  device until a predetermined event occurs. The threshold number of signals ranges from 5 to 50. The threshold number of signals preferably ranges from 10 to 40, more preferably from 15 to 30 and is most preferred to be 20. Each signal transmitted consumes approximately 2 milliamps of power. The signal comprises a frequency of approximately 2.4 GHz. The predetermined event is preferably a receipt signal being received by the shot tracking device  20 . Alternatively, the predetermine event may be a period of time passing. The period of time passing is preferably one hour. 
     When the load switch  53  is closed, power  52  flows to the microprocessor  30 ( a ) and the radiofrequency component  30 ( b ). The power  52  is drawn from the capacitor  30 ( c ). A signal  62  is transmitted from the radiofrequency component  30 ( b ) and a confirmation signal  62  is received at the radiofrequency component  30 ( b ). The load switch  53  is opened and the capacitor  30 ( c ) is recharged at a controlled rate. 
     The peak current for transmission of the signal  62  is preferably limited to 2 milli-amps. The radiofrequency component  30 ( b ) preferably operates at 2.4 giga-Hertz. Preferably, the microprocessor  30 ( a ) and the radiofrequency component  30 ( b ) are integrated. The capacitor  30 ( c ) is preferably a 1 micro-Faraday capacitor. 
     The receiver is preferably a GPS device such as disclosed in Balardeta et al., U.S. Patent Publication Number 20090075761 for a Golf GPS Device And System, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Alternatively, the receiver is a personal digital assistant (PDA), “smart phone”, mobile phone, or other similar device. However, those skilled in the pertinent art will recognize that the receiver may be any device capable of receiving and storing signals from the RFID tag. 
     Gibbs, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,163,468 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     Galloway, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,163,470 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     Williams, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,166,038 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     Desmukh U.S. Pat. No. 7,214,143 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     Murphy, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,252,600 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     Gibbs, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,258,626 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     Galloway, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,258,631 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     Evans, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,273,419 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     Hocknell, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,413,250 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     The measurements may be inputted into an impact code such as the rigid body code disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,821,209, entitled Method for Predicting a Golfer&#39;s Ball Striking Performance, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     The swing properties are preferably determined using an acquisition system such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,431,990, entitled System and Method for Measuring a Golfer&#39;s Ball Striking Parameters, assigned to Callaway Golf Company, the assignee of the present application, and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. However, those skilled in the pertinent art will recognize that other acquisition systems may be used to determine the swing properties. 
     Other methods that are useful in obtaining a golfer&#39;s swing characteristics are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,638,175, for a Diagnostic Golf Club System, U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,634, for an Instrumented Golf Club System And Method Of Use, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,224,493, for an Instrumented Golf Club System And Method Of Use, all of which are assigned to Callaway Golf Company, the assignee of the present application, and all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     From the foregoing it is believed that those skilled in the pertinent art will recognize the meritorious advancement of this invention and will readily understand that while the present invention has been described in association with a preferred embodiment thereof, and other embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, numerous changes, modifications and substitutions of equivalents may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention which is intended to be unlimited by the foregoing except as may appear in the following appended claims. Therefore, the embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined in the following appended claims.