Method and apparatus for tracking objects in flight such as golf balls and the like

Abstract

An apparatus for tracking an object associated with an sports event or activity, such as a golf ball and the like, includes a GPS receiver incorporated in the ball and receiving GPS signals from a satellite. A processor generates data related to the position of ball and generates data indicative of the location as a function of time. The data is then stored in the ball or a server. A processor receives the data and uses it to generate two- and three-dimensional renditions of the flight of the ball during a game, or game portions. For example, a display may show a graphic image incorporating the path of the ball, its current location on a map of the course, its location after it stopped moving (so that it can be found easily) and so on.

1 . A tracking apparatus used in sports-related activities comprising: 
 a sports-related object that moves in a random fashion during said activities, said object including a housing and an electronic module imbedded in said housing, said electronic module including a receiver receiving GPS signals;    a processor receiving said GPS signals and using said GPS signals to generate data descriptive a path of motion for said sports-related object; and    a screen receiving and showing the location of the object based on said data.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said processor is disposed in said sports-related object.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a remote PC, said processor being incorporated in said remote PC.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said PC includes said display.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said screen receives and shows said location in real time.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said display receives and shows said location at a later time after the completion of a sports event or section thereof.  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus for tracking the position of a ball and the like during a sports-related activity comprising: 
 an electronic module disposed in the ball, said electronic module including a receiver receiving GPS signals from at least one satellite;    a processor receiving information related to the position of the ball based on said GPS signals and generating data related to the position of said ball and derived from said GPS signals; and    a screen receiving said data and showing information related to the position of the ball.    
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said processor is incorporated in said ball.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising a base station incorporating said display.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said processor is incorporated in said base station.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said processor and said display cooperate to show said information in real time.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said processor and said screen cooperate to show said information after said ball has completed its flight.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said base station is incorporated in a hand-held device.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said base station is constructed to provide instructions for finding said ball based on said information after said ball has completed its flight.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising a ball accelerometer incorporated into said ball, said processor receiving acceleration information from said ball accelerometer and generating said data in accordance with said GPS information and said acceleration information.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said processor is adapted to augment information from said GPS signals with information from said ball accelerometer.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said ball is hit with a golf club, further comprising a club accelerometer, said club accelerometer generating club information related to the initial motion of the ball, wherein said club information is combined with GPS information.  
   
   
       18 . A method of tracking a ball with an incorporated electronic module comprising the steps: 
 receiving GPS data in said ball from at least one GPS satellite;    determining a position of the ball in accordance with said GPS data; and    displaying information associated with a path of said ball in accordance with said position.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said position is determined in said ball.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said position is determined in a base station.