(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2006/0166738 A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jul. 27, 2006
`Eyestone et al.
`
`US 2006016673 8A1
`
`(54) METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GOLF SWING
`ANALYSIS AND TRAINING FOR PUTTERS
`
`(75) Inventors: Richard D. Eyestone, Fernandina
`Beach, FL (US); Nathan J. Hood,
`Austin, TX (US); Alessandro U.
`Gabbi, Austin, TX (US); John
`Farrington, Georgetown, TX (US);
`Eric Cassady, Austin, TX (US); Brian
`Maloney, Austin, TX (US); Raymond
`Deragon, Austin, TX (US); John
`Lupher, Austin, TX (US); James
`SatterWhite, Austin, TX (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`HULSEY IP
`Intellectual Property Lawyers, P.C.
`Suite 610
`1250 S. Capital of Texas HightWay, Bldg. 3
`Austin, TX 78746 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: SmartSWing, Inc.
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`11/166,902
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jun. 24, 2005
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 10/810,168,
`?led on Mar. 26, 2004.
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/585,461, ?led on Jul.
`2, 2004. Provisional application No. 60/501,044, ?led
`on Sep. 8, 2003.
`
`Publication Classi?cation
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`A63B 69/36
`(52) U.S. c1. .............................................................. .. 463/36
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`Techniques for measuring and modeling club-like sports
`instrument inertial motion sensing signals are disclosed. The
`disclosed method and system generate corrected output of a
`motion sensing circuit, Which circuit includes an inertial
`measurement unit and associates With a putting club-like
`sports instrument. One aspect of the disclosed subject matter
`includes a method and system for isolating analysis posi
`tions of a golf sWing, Which analysis positions facilitate
`measuring and modeling the sWinging motion. Another
`aspect of the disclosed subject matter includes a method and
`system for correcting golf sWing measurement errors for
`more accurately measuring and modeling the sWinging
`motion. Yet another aspect of the disclosed subject matter
`provides a method and system for determining an impact
`position of a sWinging sports instrument.
`
`22 - Battery Recharge Connector Cover
`
`24 - Grip Faceplate
`
`2s - Flag swing'aumn
`
`30 - Grip
`
`20 -
`Power On I
`Mute!
`Power 011
`Button
`
`28 -
`
`Gallery
`Recharge
`Connector
`
`l8 - instrumented Golf Club
`
`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1010
`Page 1
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27, 2006 Sheet 1 0f 15
`
`US 2006/0166738 A1
`
`FIGURE 1
`
`22 - Battery Recharge Connector Cover
`
`24 -Grip Faceplate
`
`26 -Flag swmg'aumn
`3O -Gr'rp
`
`20 -
`Power On I
`Mute I
`Power of!
`Button
`
`28 '
`
`Battery
`Recharge
`Connector
`
`l8 - lns'trurnented Golf Club
`
`36 - Head
`
`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1010
`Page 2
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27, 2006 Sheet 2 0f 15
`
`US 2006/0166738 A1
`
`FIGURE 2
`
`38 ‘ RF Link Box
`
`/— 44 - Universal Serial
`/ / Bus Connector
`
`,4
`
`/ f
`
`/
`
`L 42 - Power/U58
`Connection LED
`--— 40- Club Detection
`Data Transfer LED
`
`46 - Universal Serial
`Bus Cable
`
`48 - Computing Device
`
`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1010
`Page 3
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27, 2006 Sheet 3 0f 15
`
`US 2006/0166738 A1
`
`FIGURE 3
`
`—- 22 - Battery Recharger
`
`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1010
`Page 4
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27, 2006 Sheet 4 0f 15
`
`US 2006/0166738 A1
`
`FIGURE 4
`
`22 - Battery Recharge
`Connector Cover
`
`23 - Cover Anchor Hole
`
`24 - Grip Faceplate
`
`26 - Flag Swing Button
`
`50 - Antenna Board
`
`52 - Main Board '
`
`S3 - Inertial
`measurement
`unit (IMU)
`
`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1010
`Page 5
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27, 2006 Sheet 5 0f 15
`
`US 2006/0166738 A1
`
`30 - Grip
`
`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1010
`Page 6
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27, 2006 Sheet 6 0f 15
`
`US 2006/0166738 A1
`
`$22» E53 . 3
`
`uaoaoigéo
`
`is. 3:5 - 8
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`@g
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`525.236
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`5.2: 2::
`
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`
`
`
`
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`
`
`
`.53. 3a.. 2a
`
`
`
`28» 521.. 3
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`
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`
`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1010
`Page 7
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27, 2006 Sheet 7 0f 15
`
`US 2006/0166738 A1
`
`FIGURE 7
`
`18 - instrumented Golf Club
`
`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1010
`Page 8
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27, 2006 Sheet 8 0f 15
`
`US 2006/0166738 A1
`
`FIGURE 8
`
`40
`42
`
`72 - Link Box Cap
`
`44
`
`‘ 70 - Link Board
`
`.
`
`=
`
`:
`
`8O - Link Board
`
`_
`
`Transceiver
`
`chip
`
`74 - Link Box Base
`
`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1010
`Page 9
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27, 2006 Sheet 9 0f 15
`
`US 2006/0166738 A1
`
`FIGURE 9
`
`Swing Info
`Swing m" ?mmmp
`Swing duration
`Swing ?agged
`Temperature
`Swing info ID
`Club ID
`
`84 - Swing info Header
`
`86 - Swing Data Elements
`[shown as 1 through n)
`
`Swing Data
`X akis accelerometer
`Y axis accelerometer
`Z axis accelerometer
`X axis gyroscope
`Y axis gyroscope
`Z axis gyroscope
`
`‘
`
`82 ~ Swing Path Data
`
`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1010
`Page 10
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27, 2006 Sheet 10 0f 15
`
`US 2006/0166738 A1
`
`FIGURE 10
`
`smummw
`
`IE]
`
`— - I02 ~
`Swing Replay
`Control Panel
`
`__ _ 104 .
`
`Swing
`Key Point
`Control Panel
`
`-_-.- -.. 106 -
`
`swing
`Analy?n
`Panel
`
`I08 -
`
`Menu
`
`Panel
`
`‘
`
`'
`
`-
`
`94'
`95‘
`98 -
`
`Swing
`Viewing
`Panels \
`
`_
`
`100 -
`
`Context
`Sensitive
`AMM'“
`Panel
`
`92 -
`
`Swing
`
`_
`
`_
`
`,
`
`.
`
`Record
`
`Filter
`
`.
`
`‘
`
`.
`
`90 ~ Swing Record Pane!
`
`88 - Analysis Application
`
`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1010
`Page 11
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27, 2006 Sheet 11 0f 15
`
`US 2006/0166738 A1
`
`FIGURE 11
`
`72 - Control Panel
`
`40
`
`42
`
`1 t6 - Display Screen
`
`72 - Link 80): Cap
`
`— 44
`
`7O - Link Board
`
`80 - Link Board
`Transceiver
`Chip
`
`74 - Llnk Box Base
`
`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1010
`Page 12
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27, 2006 Sheet 12 0f 15
`
`US 2006/0166738 A1
`
`'
`
`gag
`
`BEGIN
`OPERATE
`IGC
`291
`
`INITIALIZE
`SGSAT
`2Q}
`
`WAIT FOR
`‘——-—--——-> INPUT
`2.05
`
`PROCESS
`SWING
`ll}.
`
`PROCESS
`LINK BOX
`292
`
`END
`OPERATE
`IGC
`
`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1010
`Page 13
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27, 2006 Sheet 13 0f 15
`
`US 2006/0166738 A1
`
`FIGURE 13
`
`BEGIN
`PROCESS
`LINK BOX
`Zll
`
`REQUEST
`FOR DATA?
`2.13
`
`nomgm
`2;;
`
`FLASH
`MEMORY
`
`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1010
`Page 14
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27, 2006 Sheet 14 0f 15
`
`US 2006/0166738 A1
`
`FIGURE 14
`
`21.3.
`
`135cm
`PROCESS
`SWING
`2:1
`
`WAIT FOR
`MOTION
`
`SUFFICIENT
`ROTATION?
`
`-~
`
`DATA
`Zéi
`
`YES
`
`INSUFFICIEN T
`ROTATION?
`26.31
`
`NO
`
`END
`PROCESS
`SWING
`252
`
`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1010
`Page 15
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27, 2006 Sheet 15 0f 15
`
`US 2006/0166738 A1
`
`FIGURE 15
`
`APP PATCH
`REQUIRED?
`395
`
`DOWNLOAD
`APP PATCH
`3.01
`
`DOWNLOAD
`FW PATCH
`
`FW PATCH
`REQUIRED?
`392
`
`--——---w
`
`COLLECT
`IGC DATA
`312a
`
`SHARE
`SWING DATA?
`
`EXPORT
`SWING
`DATA
`
`END
`DISPLAY
`DATA
`.122
`
`DISPLAY
`DATA
`
`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1010
`Page 16
`
`

`
`US 2006/0166738 A1
`
`Jul. 27, 2006
`
`METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GOLF SWING
`ANALYSIS AND TRAINING FOR PUTTERS
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT
`APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] This patent application is a continuation in part and
`claims the bene?t of US. patent application Ser. No. 10/810,
`168 ?led on Mar. 26, 2004, and claims the bene?t of US.
`Provisional Patent Applications Ser. Nos. 60/
`
`FIELD
`
`[0002] This disclosure pertains generally to a sports train
`ing system and, more particularly, to a method and system
`for measuring and modeling sports instrument inertial
`motion sensing signals an intelligent sports club, bat or
`racquet that takes quantitative measurements of a sWing for
`real-time feedback and subsequent analysis and display.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSED SUBJECT
`MATTER
`
`[0003] It Would seem that simply rolling a golf ball into a
`hole may not be a dif?cult task. Those of us that attempt this
`task Will attest to its dif?culty. Several elements of the putter
`stroke are relevant to examine if the golfer is to become a
`consistent, accurate putter.
`[0004] The consistency of the putter stroke, regardless of
`the type of stroke used, is an important consideration. The
`ability alWays to alWays the same stroke, at the same speed
`is dif?cult to achieve. At impact With the golf ball, the ‘face’
`of the putter may be square to the target line. The ability
`consistently to strike the golf ball on the ‘sWeet spot’ of the
`putter is also important. The tempo of the putter stroke is
`important to ensure a consistent relationship betWeen the
`length of the backstroke and club head speed at impact. The
`ability to roll the ball a speci?c distance, under varying
`green conditions, is key to being a consistent and successful
`putter. This ability is often referred to as the golfer’s ‘touch’
`With the golf ball.
`
`[0005] The putter may alWays be accelerating at impact
`With the golf ball.
`
`[0006] Learning to stroke a golf ball With a putter correctly
`is a seemingly simple act. The dif?culty that golfers encoun
`ter is that in order to become a good, consistent putter one
`requires a simple, repeatable stroke and an understanding of
`the relationships of the various elements of the putting
`stroke.
`
`[0007] Most of us cannot feel the difference in minor
`changes to our golf stroke and thus cannot distinguish
`betWeen a good stroke and a not so good stroke. Further, the
`present embodiment often obtains incorrect feedback from
`the results of our putting stroke. the present embodiment can
`make tWo errors that offset each other and sink a long putt
`and think the present embodiment have ‘found the ansWer’
`to better putting. Even Worse, the present embodiment can
`make a horrible stroke and have the ball ?nd the hole due to
`imperfections of the putting surface itself. Feedback, based
`on results is inaccurate!
`
`[0008] Getting good, solid feedback on the various ele
`ments of the putting stroke is dif?cult, if not impossible.
`
`There are many training aids in the market, but they often
`only Work on one of the key elements of putting that the
`golfer preferably master.
`
`[0009] There is no relative frame of reference to keep the
`putting stroke “on line” during the back stroke and the doWn
`stroke. There is no Way of getting immediate feedback W/out
`a golf pro/trainer. Golf instruction by golf pros is expensive
`and sometimes unavailable; is perceived to be too sloW a
`process
`
`[0010] Videotaping every stroke on the course is logisti
`cally annoying and unlikely to make a huge difference;
`besides, there is still no frame of reference. It is dif?cult to
`visualiZe What the body and club do as an integrated Whole.
`Improvement comes sloWly, if ever, and learning is frustrat
`ing. Existing training aids feel and act differently from the
`clubs typically used. Multiple errors can offset each other
`providing the golfer With erroneous feedback
`
`[0011] Even good putts often miss due to imperfections on
`the putting surface
`
`[0012] Accordingly, there is need for a sports training
`system
`
`SUMMARY
`
`[0013] Techniques for accurately measuring and modeling
`a sports instrument sWinging motion are disclosed.
`
`[0014] The disclosed subject matter, including a method
`and system for
`
`[0015] These and other aspects of the disclosed subject
`matter, as Well as additional novel features, Will be apparent
`from the description provided herein. The intent of this
`summary is not to be a comprehensive description of the
`claimed subject matter, but rather to provide a short over
`vieW of some of the subject matter’s functionality. Other
`systems, methods, features, and advantages here provided
`Will become apparent to one With skill in the art upon
`examination of the folloWing FIGUREs and detailed
`description. It is intended that all such additional systems,
`methods, features and advantages that are included Within
`this description, be Within the scope of the accompanying
`claims.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
`
`[0016] For a more complete understanding of the present
`disclosure, and the advantages thereof, reference is noW
`made to the folloWing brief descriptions taken in conjunc
`tion With the accompanying draWings, in Which like refer
`ence numerals indicate like features.
`
`[0017] FIG. 1 shoWs selected aspects of an instrumented
`golf club system Which may use the disclosed subject
`matter;
`[0018] FIG. 2 shoWs a partially exploded vieW of an
`instrument golf club (IGC) Which may incorporate an iner
`tial measurement unit (IMU) consistent With the teachings of
`the disclosed subject matter;
`
`[0019] FIG. 3 shoWs a partially cut-aWay vieW of an IGC
`depicting a printed circuit board (PCB) capable of contain
`ing the circuitry and instructions for one embodiment of the
`disclosed subject matter;
`
`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1010
`Page 17
`
`

`
`US 2006/0166738 A1
`
`Jul. 27, 2006
`
`[0020] FIG. 4 shows an exploded vieW of the top portion
`of the IGC grip;
`
`[0021] FIG. 5 shoWs three vieWs of an IMU incorporating
`the claimed subject matter.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
`
`[0022] Although described With particular reference to a
`golf club, the claimed subject matter for measuring and
`modeling accelerometer measurements and gyroscopic mea
`surements of an inertial measurement unit associated With
`sports instrument may ?nd bene?cial use in many types of
`devices. FIG. 1 shoWs selected aspects of an instrumented
`golf training system 10, Which may use the disclosed subject
`matter. In FIG. 1, instrumented golf training system 10,
`processes measured golf club sWing data 12 on computer 14.
`A player may control computer 14 using keyboard 16 to
`communicate With instrumented golf IGC 18 and achieve a
`highly interactive process that may be formed and may
`operate as here disclosed.
`
`[0023] An alternative embodiment of the present inven
`tion may be used as a golf training aid, a club ?tting tool and
`an add-on module to standard golf putters.
`
`[0024] This embodiment is an instrumented golf putting
`system consisting of a standard golf putter With either a steel
`or graphite shaft and a standard putter head, a modi?ed golf
`club grip, a circuit board that is inserted into the distal (butt)
`end of the shaft, a mounting system for the circuit board,
`embedded softWare in the club mounted circuit board, a
`means of communication to a standard computational plat
`form, a standard computational platform such as a PC and
`analytical, control and display softWare for the PC. For ease
`of understanding, the invention can be thought of as being
`comprised of the three major components, a softWare appli
`cation, a golf putter containing electronic circuitry and a
`uni-directional RF device. The circuitry and embedded
`softWare in the club are suf?cient to track, calculate and store
`information regarding the trajectory, position, velocity, and
`acceleration in three-dimensional space of the golf putter
`during one or more strokes. The circuitry also generates
`real-time audio or tactile feedback/response to the user
`during the course of the stroke. Multiple strokes may be
`stored on the putter and subsequently doWnloaded to the
`softWare application via a Wireless or physical connection.
`
`[0025] The softWare application executes on a personal
`computer and enables the user to revieW the doWnloaded
`strokes independently or With respect to a knoWn good golf
`putting stroke, de?ned as a reference stroke”. Furthermore,
`the softWare application analyZes the doWnloaded strokes
`and provides advice to assist the user in stroke improvement.
`The uni-directional RF device is used as an alignment aid.
`The putter is composed of a standard putter head, a standard
`shaft, and a modi?ed grip. The grip has been modi?ed to
`include a mounting system for the circuitry and a protective
`end cap. The circuitry is mounted and encapsulated Within
`the shaft at the distal end of the shaft. All components are
`contained Within approximately the last 7" of the distal end
`of the shaft. Furthermore, by keeping the Weight of all
`components, mounts, and encapsulant beloW 2 ounces, the
`putting experience of the electronic putting club (“EPC”)
`Will not differ materially from that of a standard putter.
`Within the distal end of the shaft, Micro-Electro-Mechanical
`Systems (MEMS) accelerometers and gyroscopes are
`
`mounted in an orthogonal con?guration. This con?guration
`enables the measurement of the club’s acceleration in three
`mutually perpendicular axes and of the club’s rate of rota
`tion around these same axes. The MEMS components are
`coupled With supporting signal acquisition, memory, passive
`and processing components to calculate the motion and
`position of the club during the putting stroke. The circuitry
`includes onboard memory suf?cient to store multiple
`strokes. Furthermore, onboard components support system
`poWer, system recharge, and data exchange With the soft
`Ware application. There is a small poWer sWitch, actuated by
`the user With a golf tee or a ?ngernail, in the distal end of
`the club. A small LED indicator is located adjacent to the
`sWitch for display of on/olf/loW battery/error system sta
`tuses. Finally, the putter contains components required to
`give audible or tactile feedback to the user during the course
`of a stroke. The EPC looks, feels, sounds and performs like
`a standard putter When the circuitry is in the poWered-doWn
`state and the protective cap is in place on the distal end of
`the club.
`[0026] The embedded softWare, Which is stored on the
`putter resident circuit board, calculates What are acceptable,
`virtual ‘stroke rails’ and ‘stroke stops’ for the user. The
`‘stroke rails’ are parallel, virtual planes that are perpendicu
`lar to the earth’s surface. The ‘stroke rails’ are set by the user
`some increment Wider than the face of the putter in use to
`enable practicing their stroke and receiving real-time feed
`back When the stroke contacts a virtual ‘stroke rail’. The
`virtual ‘stroke stops’ are perpendicular to the ‘stroke rails’
`and are settable by the user to enable practicing strokes of a
`given length and receiving real-time feedback on the same.
`If the putter head ‘breaks’ either of the ‘stroke rails’, then
`feedback is provided to the user instantaneously. A stroke is
`said to ‘break’ a ‘stroke rail’ if any part of the club leaves the
`Zone de?ned by tWo virtual planes during the backstroke or
`the folloWing doWnstroke. Similarly, instant, real-time feed
`back Will be given to the user if the putter head breaks any
`‘virtual stop’ more than a settable amount. This instant,
`corrective feedback is a signi?cant improvement over prior
`art. The real-time feedback alloWs the user to note When
`their stroke breaks these virtual ‘rails’ and ‘stops’ and
`immediately make corrective adjustments in subsequent
`sWings.
`[0027] A small set of the SmartSWing PC softWare appli
`cation provides functionality to the user for adjusting appli
`cation parameter settings and golf putter parameter settings.
`HoWever, the primary function of the SmartSWing desktop
`application is the revieW and analysis of strokes recorded by
`the EPC and to enable a much better quality practice
`environment. The logical organiZation of the application
`initially focuses the golfer’s efforts on learning to stroke the
`putter Within the ‘stroke rails’ and ‘stroke stops’. Next, the
`golfer is encouraged to Work on alignment skills, utiliZing
`the uni-directional RF device on a practice green. This
`portion of the PC application focuses on applying the
`improved putting stroke learned by practicing With the
`‘virtual rails’ and ‘virtual stops’. Impact analysis is
`employed to analyZe hoW consistently the golfer is able to
`stroke the ball With the center or ‘sWeet spot’ of the putter
`face. Next, the PC softWare enables the golfer to practice,
`virtually anyWhere, under a variety of simulated conditions.
`This simulated environment enables the golfer to test and
`improve all facets of the putting set-up and stroke. Finally,
`the golfer is assisted With increasing overall stroke consis
`
`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1010
`Page 18
`
`

`
`US 2006/0166738 A1
`
`Jul. 27, 2006
`
`tency. The application allows the user to review and critique
`strokes by providing three-dimensional stroke visualiZation
`and playback features. Furthermore, the application can
`overlay a user’s stroke With a previously stored stroke or
`With a knoWn good reference stroke. An example of a
`‘reference stroke’ could be the stroke of any of today’s PGA
`or LPGA professionals. A user’ s performance improvement
`over time can be analyZed by overlaying multiple strokes or
`by charting any of the measured or calculated variables. In
`addition, the application provides information regarding a
`large number of variables associated With the golf stroke.
`This information can be used by either the golfer or by a
`teaching professional to understand the causes of stroke
`to-stroke performance variation. Finally, the application
`independently analyZes the strokes and offers advice on
`Ways to improve the user’s golf putting stroke.
`
`[0028] Various putter-speci?c embodiments of the present
`invention provide a golf putter capable of providing one,
`some, or all of the folloWing objects:
`
`[0029] instantaneous audible or tactile feedback to the
`golfer regarding the quality of their putting stroke;
`
`[0030] enable a golfer to gain insight that has not been
`previously possible into their oWn stroke by providing the
`golfer access to information that enables the golfer to
`understand hoW his/her stroke differs from a knoWn, good
`‘reference stroke’;
`[0031] provide an instrumented golf putter that looks,
`feels, sounds, and is of similar Weight and behavior as a
`normal golf putter for day-to-day use;
`
`[0032] provide a system that is capable of being used to
`provide suf?cient data on any golfer’s stroke to be used for
`?tting putters speci?cally to each individual golfer;
`
`[0033] provide a user With a PC-based softWare solution
`that alloWs for detailed analysis of a series of golf putting
`strokes doWnloaded from the instrumented club as compared
`to a knoWn good reference stroke;
`
`[0034] provide a user With a practice environment in
`Which a Wide variety of conditions associated With a putting
`a golf ball can be successfully simulated in order to help the
`golfer apply their putting skills; and
`[0035] provide the golfer With the ability to acquire and
`vieW a graphical depiction of their golf putting stroke in
`three-dimensional space in a PC-based softWare application
`for the purposes of obtaining feedback and suggestions from
`the softWare on hoW to improve their stroke and provide a
`comparison to a knoWn, good reference stroke to enable the
`golfer to visualiZe What he/ she must to do improve their oWn
`stroke.
`
`[0036] The EPC Will have a Wide range of functionality. At
`its simplest level it Will emulate, With greater ?exibility and
`usability, simple mechanical devices in Wide use today. At its
`most sophisticated level it Will enable a golfer to simulate
`putting on a green of in?nite siZe and speed.
`
`[0037] Because many terms Will be used throughout this
`paper, this section Will attempt to accurately de?ne the terms
`to be used, in order to minimiZe confusion.
`
`[0038] l. StrokeiStroke is used to de?ne the ‘minisWing’
`taken by the golfer When putting.
`
`[0039] 2. Consistency of StrokeiA consistent stroke is
`repeatable and has minimal side-to-side variation during the
`front-to-back stroke.
`
`[0040] 3. TouchiTouch refers to the golfer’s ability to
`roll the ball the needed distance, consistently. When taking
`a stroke With a consistent tempo, the length of the golfer’s
`backsWing Will determine the distance that a ball Will roll.
`
`[0041] 4. Impact PointiThe point of impact on the face
`of the putter is a critical variable When putting. Like the ‘full
`sWing’ clubs each putter has a sWeet spot in Which the golfer
`Wants to stroke the putt each time.
`
`[0042] 5. TempoiTempo refers to the rhythm that the
`golfer uses to strike each putt. Just as the speed at Which
`different people Walk or talk, so does the speed at Which one
`putts a golf ball.
`[0043] 6. AlignmentiAlignment refers to the relationship
`of the putter face to the target line. When correctly aligned
`the face of the putter Will be perpendicular to the target line.
`
`[0044] 7. Target LineiIs the line draWn from the ball to
`the intended target. On a perfectly ?at putt the intended
`target Would be the center of the hole.
`
`[0045] 8. Reading a GreeniThis refers to the golfer’s
`ability to study the contours of a ‘non-?at’ putting surface
`and make a determination of Where and at What speed to
`stroke the ball in order to make the putt.
`
`[0046] Three potential EPC embodiments are described.
`Furthermore, the learning objectives of each of these prod
`ucts is de?ned beloW.
`
`[0047] Practice Product:
`[0048] 1. Develop consistency of the stroke, minimiZing
`side-to-side motion of the putter during the front-to-back
`stroke.
`
`[0049] 2. Develop the ability to make the front-to-back
`stroke a speci?c distance.
`
`[0050] 3. Develop consistent tempo.
`‘Re-play’ Product:
`[0051]
`[0052] 1. Develop ‘touch’ building on the learned ability
`to make a stroke that is a speci?c, consistent distance during
`the backstroke and the subsequent doWnstroke.
`[0053] 2. Develop alignment skills.
`[0054] 3. Improve the ability to strike each putt on the
`sWeet spot.
`[0055] 4. Develop ‘green reading’ skills.
`[0056] Simulation Product:
`[0057] 1. Further develop alignment skills
`[0058] 2. Further apply the ‘touch’ learned previously.
`[0059] 3. Develop & apply ‘touch’ for uphill and doWnhill
`putts.
`
`[0060] 4. Practice the neWly learned skills in a simulated
`environment.
`
`[0061] Several putting theories are relevant. Putting a golf
`ball in a straight line should be a simple task. It is not. One
`only has to note the nearly in?nite varieties of putters
`
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`available on the market and the great variety of grips,
`training aids and other paraphernalia available to golfers to
`learn this seemingly simple task.
`
`[0062] Most people familiar With the game Would agree
`that be square to the target line at impact. The second is a
`‘straight back & straight through’ stroke in Which the golfer
`attempts to sWing the putter like a pendulum on a grandfa
`ther clock, keeping the clubface square to the target line
`during the entire process.
`
`[0063] It is my opinion that the EPC Will be able to deal
`With both scenarios. When the club is taken ‘straight back &
`straight through (SBST)’ We Will use a simple, mathematical
`model to determine the golfer’s ability to execute this stroke.
`If the golfer elects to use a stroke other than the SBST stroke
`We Will capture a ‘reference there are tWo kinds of putting
`strokes. The ?rst is a ‘minisWing’ in Which the clubface
`opens a bit on the backstroke and closes a bit on the folloW
`through. It is hoped that it Will stroke for comparison
`purposes. More thought and analysis needs to be given to the
`‘mini-sWing’ scenario further de?ne this scenario.
`
`[0064] The folloWing hardWare Will be required to provide
`the desired functionality of the EPC.
`
`[0065] 1. An instrumented putter.
`
`[0066] 2. Grip based pressure sensors.
`
`[0067] 3. A ‘pager-siZed’ remote transceiver With the abil
`ity to receive data in real-time. This device Would need voice
`synthesiZer capabilities an earpiece additional memory and
`other capabilities and features.
`
`[0068] 4. Auni-directional RF device I With a loW physical
`pro?le, to be used as an alignment tool.
`
`[0069] In order to be able to provide the desired function
`ality We Will need to be able to capture information during
`each putting stroke. A ?rst pass at What must be captured is
`listed beloW. Footnotes Will comment on any perceived neW
`functionality or capabilities.
`
`[0070] l. Clubface position at impact. Is it openly closed
`or square? If open or closed, hoW many degrees?
`
`[0071] 2. Length of the backstroke.
`
`[0072] 3. Time of the backstroke.
`
`[0073] 4. Length of the doWnstroke.
`
`[0074] 5. Time of the doWnstroke.
`
`[0075] 6. Acceleration at impact.
`
`[0076] 7. Club head speed at impact.
`
`[0037] 8. Acceleration at impact (either positive or nega
`tive
`
`10. Grip pressure on the club.
`
`11. Alignment to the target line With the clubface.
`
`[0078] 9. Impact point on the clubface.
`[0079]
`[0080]
`[0081] As in the full sWing club much of the perceived
`‘value add’ comes in our ability to provide the golfer With
`information that he/she is not currently able to easily cap
`ture. This is true of the EPC, as Well. See the beloW list to
`currently considered ‘ analytics ’.
`
`1. Variation from the desired stroke path.
`
`2
`. Variation from the desired stroke length.
`
`3
`. The tempo of the stroke.
`
`4
`. Pattern analysis of a series of strokes.
`
`[0082]
`[0083]
`[0084]
`[0085]
`[0086] 5. Pattern analysis of a set of results.
`[0087]
`[0088]
`[0089]
`8
`. Any variation from square alignment.
`[0090] 9. Consistency of the correlation betWeen ‘length
`of backstroke’ to ‘club head speed’ at impact.
`
`6
`. Consistency of the stroke.
`
`7
`. Consistency of the results.
`
`[0091] 10. A matrix that computes the result of a putt,
`When the clubface is not square at distance of 3', 5', 10', 15',
`20' & 30' from the hole.
`
`l . TempoMeter.
`
`[0092] 11. A matrix that correlates the distance a putt rolls
`to club head speed.
`12. ‘Probability of make’ graphics & analytics.
`[0093]
`[0094] At least three ‘global analytics’ Will be required.
`They are listed beloW. Exactly hoW they Will calculated is
`tbd.
`[0095]
`[0096] 2. Quality of Stroke.
`[0097] 3. Stimpmeter.
`[0098] Three basic use modes, or Ways, that this EPC Will
`be used by golfers to improve their putting are described
`herein. These are ‘Practice Mode’, ‘Replay Mode’ & ‘Simu
`lation Mode’. Each Will be discussed separately.
`[0099] Practice Mode:
`[0100] An EPC With the hardWare and softWare needed to
`support this mode Would be the equivalent of our Visualizer
`softWare in combination With the full sWing clubs.
`
`[0101] In the ‘Practice Mode’ the EPC Would use a set of
`‘real-time’ tools to provide ‘real-time’ feedback to him/her
`on the path of the club head and the length of the backsWing.
`It is Worth noting that the intent of most golfers is to sWing
`the putter, like a pendulum and to stroke the ball vs. hitting
`the ball. In this situation the speed of a putt is varied by
`varying the length of the backsWing. Since this is purely a
`‘practice mode’ the EPC may be used anyWhere to hone the
`golfer is putting stroke.
`[0102] ‘Virtual Rails’ Would be employed to help the
`golfer Work on the path of each stroke. These ‘virtual rails’
`roughly correspond to the ‘sWing planes’ in our full sWing
`clubs. The golfer Will need to be able to set these ‘virtual
`rails’ at some distance apart from each other. This can be
`best thought of as the distance from the toe and heel of the
`putter. For example, if the putter a golfer is using is 3" Wide,
`and the golfer Wanted a 1" margin of error on each side of
`the putter, then these ‘virtual rails’ Would be 5" apart and 1"
`from each side of the putter. These rails Would Work as
`folloWs.
`
`[0103] 1. At address the club Would be silent.
`[0104] 2. As the stroke is begun, the golfer Would hear one
`of tWo tones. Each unique tone Would represent a direction
`that the club Was moving off line from the ‘perfect stroke’.
`
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`5
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`Some margin of error must be allowed and this margin
`should be both a default setting and a golfer settable param(cid:173)
`eter.
`
`[0105] 3. The tone that a golfer hears should be a 'relative
`tone' that increases or decreases in volume as the stroke
`varies. An increase in tone volume would occur as the stroke
`drifted away from the 'perfect stroke' and a corresponding
`decrease in volume should occur as the stroke moves back
`toward the midpoint of our 'virtual rails'.
`
`[0106] 4. If the golfer's stroke should stray outside either
`of our virtual rail$, then an additional tone should alert the
`golfer to this. As an alternative use method the 'relative
`tones' could be turned off leaving 'break plane' tones as the
`only feedback.
`
`'Virtual Stops' would be employed to provide the
`[0107]
`golfer feedback on the length of the backstroke. The golfer
`would be able to define the length of the backstroke that they
`want to work on. In other words, this would be a 'settable
`parameter'. Further, each distance that the golfer is working
`on is actually a set of 'virtual stops'. The first of the 'virtual
`stops' would be at th