Apparatus for measuring properties of golf putting surface
AssigneeUnited States Golf Association
InventorsJames E. Hubbell, Scott A. Mingay, Matthew M. Pringle, Stephen U. States
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for measuring physical properties, e.g., firmness, smoothness, trueness, green speed, of a playing surface on a golf course, includes performing measurements via a measurement apparatus. The measurement apparatus includes a spherical sensor, which in turn includes an accelerometer for measuring motion data relating to motion of the spherical sensor, a memory for storing the motion data, and a communication module for wirelessly transmitting the motion data to a computing device.
Claims14
A measurement apparatus for measuring physical properties of a playing surface of a golf course, the measurement apparatus comprising:
- a spherical sensor comprising an accelerometer for measuring motion data relating to motion of the spherical sensor, a memory for storing the motion data, and a communication module for wirelessly transmitting the motion data to a computing device;
- a substantially cylindrical body having a first and a second end, the first end configured to receive the spherical sensor;
- and
- a cap shaped to receive the spherical sensor and configured to removably attach to the first end of the cylindrical body,
- wherein the spherical sensor is secured between the cylindrical body and the cap, the cap being placed over the spherical sensor in attaching to the cylindrical body.
A method for measuring physical properties of a playing surface of a golf course, the method comprising:
- measuring firmness of the playing surface with a spherical sensor disposed in a substantially cylindrical body and a cap, the spherical sensor comprising an accelerometer for measuring motion data relating to motion of the spherical sensor, a memory for storing the motion data, and a communication module for wirelessly transmitting the motion data to a computing device, wherein the spherical sensor is secured between the cylindrical body and the cap, the cap being placed over the spherical sensor in attaching to the cylindrical body;
- and
- measuring smoothness or trueness of the playing surface with the spherical sensor disassembled from the cylindrical body and the cap.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.