In-field behavior recording device for golf putting

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to the field of behavior sensing and recording device. More specifically, the present invention is to measure and record full motion related signals on a part of putter. A miniaturized data logging device for golf putters that records outputs from motion sensors during whole game is described. Utilizing accelerometers, the device obtains relative motion invoked at a putter head without affecting player's performance. The device also records such information for multiple incidents or for an indefinite period of time. The device will be attached on the surface of a putter head at which motion behavior analysis takes place. The present invention uses high density memory chip and USB for data transfer. The flash multi media storage card is also used for transferring the recorded data to personal computing devices such as personal computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), or a plurality of mobile devices. Data transfer is facilitated by a data uploading utility, which automatically detects inserting media and assists to transfer the record data into a file folder in the personal computing devices. The present invention can be used for either training purpose or recording in situ behavior of player during actual games or events. Sufficient data recorded and analyzed during training can be used as reference performance data to compare the actual behavior of the player during the events. When the present invention is combined other recording devices for physiological data such as heart rate as well as user-determined action result, the player can recognize what happened during the events through post-analysis of the recorded behavior which can be helpful to modify strategy or improve training method for the player.

1 . A system for in-field behavior recording device for measuring and storing relative 3D coordinates of a putter head during actual golf games, comprising:
 a main unit configured to measure said 3D coordinates of a putter head, to store said coordinates data to a storage device, and to handle interface with a user;   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , said main unit comprising a control processor module, a sensor module, a battery, a storage device connector, and an interface module. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said sensor module comprising two accelerometers. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said sensor module is configured to measure said 3D coordinates data of a putter head. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said storage device connector is configured to attach a mass storage device. The storage device is for recording and transferring said 3D coordinates data from the present invention to plurality of personal computing devices. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said interface module is configured to communicate with a user by means of buttons and a display means. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said control processor module collects said 3D coordinates data from said sensor module in  claim 4 , stores said data to a mass storage device through said storage device connector, and interacts with a user. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said battery provides power to said main unit. 
   
   
       9 . A method for measuring and storing motion data at a putter head during a golf game using said system in  claim 1 , comprising the steps of:
 initializing said main unit;   generating sensor data in response to motion of a putter head where said system in  claim 1  is attached on;   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said control processor module collects sensor data from said sensor module in said main unit in  claim 2 , and storing the sensor data to a mass storage device through said storage device connector. 
   
   
       11 . A method for analyzing motion data, comprising the steps of:
 transferring said motion data from a mass storage device to a plurality of personal computation devices;   reconstructing swing trajectory from said motion data on said personal computation device;   comparing said swing trajectory to a predefined swing motion data;   generating a difference between said swing trajectory reconstructed from said motion data and a predefined swing data; and   displaying said swing trajectory and said difference between said swing trajectory reconstructed from said motion data and a predefined swing data on a screen of the computing device used for said analysis.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising of the steps of:
 transferring said motion data from a mass storage device to a plurality of personal computation devices;   uploading said motion data from a plurality of personal computation devices to a server-side computing device maintained by data analysis professionals through a plurality web-based interface means;   reconstructing swing trajectory from said motion data on said server-side computation device;   comparing said swing trajectory to a predefined swing motion data;   generating a difference between said swing trajectory reconstructed from said motion data and a predefined swing data;   transferring said reconstructed swing trajectory and said difference back to said personal computing device used to upload said motion data; and   displaying said swing trajectory and said difference between said swing trajectory reconstructed from said motion data and a predefined swing data on a screen of the computing device used to upload said motion data.