Patent Background

A game of golf is generally played on a golf course having one or more holes. Each hole of the game played typically has a teeing area and a hole (or hole containing a cup). In the course of the game, a golf club is swung to strike a golf ball in an effort to move the golf ball into the hole.

A number of swings may be required to successfully move the golf ball into the hole. The specific movement of the ball achieved by any particular swing may be influenced by diverse factors. One set of such factors may be any of the complicated physiological or biomechanical processes involved in swinging a golf club to hit a golf ball. Another set of such factors may be a range of relatively more controllable physical conditions, such as the type of golf club and the type of golf ball used. Yet another range of such factors may be a range of relatively less controllable physical conditions, such as wind speed, lighting, temperature, and humidity.

Any particular golf swing may also be characterized by a range of parameters resulting from the diverse factors influencing the specific movement of the ball. Some may relate to geographical locations, such as the location of the ball at the beginning of the swing, or the location of the ball where it has come to rest after the swing. Other parameters may relate to the type of club, or to the location or nature of the golfer's grip on the golf club. Still other parameters may relate to the speed of the golf club, such as the speed of the club at the moment of contact with the ball, or a speed profile of the club during the swing. Further parameters may relate to the spatial position and orientation of the golf club, such as the spatial position and orientation of the golf club at the moment of contact with the ball, or a profile of spatial positions and orientations of the golf club during the swing. Other parameters may relate to the location on the face of the club of the point of contact between the club and the ball, or to the spatial orientation of the face of the club at the moment of contact with the ball. More parameters may relate to the golf ball, such as the type of golf ball used, a speed or acceleration of the golf ball or a spin of the golf ball during flight.

Data regarding golf swing parameters may be useful in improving a golfer's performance. In-person instruction may identify golf swing parameters serving to hinder or limit performance, and video recording and playback of golf swings may enable subsequent analysis of such golf swings. However, such instruction, recording, and analysis may involve expenses and inconveniences that not every golfer can overcome. At the same time, the recording and tracking of data with respect to golf swing parameters may be of general interest to golfers. Score-cards may be provided by golf courses for use in determining a golfer's score in a game, for example; however, such mechanisms may not be suited to record the range of golf swing parameters, and the determination and recording of data associated with golf swing parameters, if attempted manually, may not be conducive to enjoyment of the game.

What Nike Aims to Deliver for iPhone Users

In one aspect, Nike's invention provides a method for capturing and transmitting golf swing data comprising the steps of: (i) capturing golf swing data in at least one of a ball data module and a club data module, wherein the golf swing data comprises at least one of a ball-related golf swing datum and a club-related golf swing datum; (ii) waiting for a trigger condition; (iii) executing a transmit-side of a synchronization protocol, wherein the transmit-side of the synchronization protocol cooperates with a receive-side of the synchronization protocol to coordinate a transmit-side of a data-transmission protocol and a receive-side of a data-transmission protocol; and (iv) executing the transmit-side of a data transmission protocol, wherein executing the transmit-side of the data transmission protocol causes the golf swing data to be transmitted.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method for receiving and conveying golf swing data comprising the steps of (i) waiting for a trigger condition; (ii) executing a receive-side of a synchronization protocol, wherein the receive-side of the synchronization protocol cooperates with a transmit-side of the synchronization protocol to coordinate a transmit-side of a data-transmission protocol and a receive-side of a data-transmission protocol; (iii) executing the receive-side of a data transmission protocol, wherein executing the receive-side of the data transmission protocol causes a mobile computing auxiliary device to receive golf swing data, and wherein the golf swing data comprises at least one of a ball-related golf swing datum and a club-related golf swing datum; and (iv) conveying the golf swing data to a mobile computing device.

In another aspect, the invention provides a system for capturing and communicating golf swing data comprising a data module, the data module having a data capture element for capturing golf swing data and a data transmission element for transmitting golf swing data, and a mobile computing auxiliary device, the mobile computing auxiliary device having an auxiliary receiving element for receiving golf swing data; wherein the data module is one of a ball data module incorporated in a golf ball and a club data module incorporated in a golf club.

In another aspect, the invention provides a system for capturing and communicating golf swing data, the system comprising a data module, the data module having a data capture element for capturing golf swing data and a data transmission element for transmitting golf swing data; a mobile computing auxiliary device, the mobile computing auxiliary device having an auxiliary receiving element for receiving golf swing data; and a mobile computing device, the mobile computing device having a view screen; wherein the data module is one of a ball data module incorporated in a golf ball and a club data module incorporated in a golf club.

In another aspect, the invention provides a system for capturing, storing, and communicating golf swing data comprising a database including a first set of golf swing data, the database including a memory for storing data, the first set of golf swing data including at least one of a ball-related golf swing datum and a club-related golf swing datum; and a server interoperating with the database, the server being operative to transmit a web page incorporating the first set of golf swing data, and the web page facilitating at least one of a competition and a challenge.

There's an App for That: One Just for Golfers

Nike's patent FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a golf ball, a golf club, mobile computing auxiliary devices, mobile computing devices, a database, and a web page that is likely to be like one relating to the Nike + iPod for runners but adjusted for golfers. Nike states that the system will use a "smart phone, such as an iPhone, a product of Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.

Nike's Patent FIGS. 2-4 shown below depict embodiments of a golf ball transmitting ball-related golf swing data (12) to mobile computing auxiliary device 30. Ball-related golf swing data may include data regarding a speed or acceleration or the spin of the golf ball during flight, such as a back spin or a side spin. The data capture element (17) may include a GPS (global positioning system) receiver and other mechanisms such as accelerometers and piezoelectric mechanisms.

Nike's patent application 20110183780 was originally filed in Q1 2010. I'm sure that golfers will be hoping that this will be ready for the summer of 2012. Time will tell.

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