Systems and Methods for Integrating Measurements Captured During a Golf Swing

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/948,937, filed Nov. 15, 2024, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/102,001, filed Jan. 26, 2023, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/011,678, filed Sep. 3, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,583,729, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/897,148, filed Sep. 6, 2019, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

This disclosure pertains to, inter alia, measuring, integrating and leveraging measurements captured during a golf swing. More specifically, this disclosure pertains to measuring, integrating and leveraging golf club, golf ball, and golf swing characteristics during a golf swing.

Sports enthusiasts may desire to improve their performance through repeated practice and proper equipment fitting. For example, a golfer may hit golf balls on a driving range and/or into a net. The golfer may want to assess each shot to fine-tune performance. Likewise, equipment fitters may also be interested in one or more properties of a golfer's swing and a club's interaction with the golf ball in order to select and fit equipment to the golfer. A launch monitor or other device may be used to assess performance and evaluate a golfer's swing by measuring one or more properties during a golf swing, such as when a golf ball is struck. For example, the launch monitor can be used to measure ball speed, club head speed, launch angle, club path, club face orientation, and other launch and swing properties captured during the golf swing. However, all launch monitors and other devices tend to have limitations based on the technologies used to capture the measurements.

In an example, a system is provided for integrating golf club and golf ball characteristics captured during a golf swing. The system includes an optical launch monitor configured to capture optical golf club characteristics and optical golf ball characteristics during the golf swing, and a motion sensor configured to capture motion-based golf club characteristics during the golf swing. The system also includes a host computer communicatively coupled to the optical launch monitor and the motion sensor. The host computer is configured to receive the motion-based golf club characteristics from the motion sensor, and to receive the optical golf club characteristics and the optical golf ball characteristics from the optical launch monitor. The host computer is also configured to select a subset of characteristics from the optical golf club characteristics, the optical golf ball characteristics, and the motion-based golf club characteristics, and to combine the subset of characteristics into an integrated set of golf club and golf ball characteristics. The host computer is further configured to provide the integrated golf club and golf ball characteristics for display to a user. The host computer may also provide a recommendation to the user, such as a club fitting or swing technique recommendation.

In another example, a method is provided for integrating golf club and golf ball characteristics captured during a golf swing. For example, the method receives golf club characteristics captured during the golf swing from a golf club sensor, receives golf ball characteristics captured during the golf swing from a golf ball launch monitor, and integrates the received golf club and golf ball characteristics. For example, integrating the received golf club and golf ball characteristics may include selecting a subset of golf club characteristics from the received golf club from the golf club sensor and the golf ball launch monitor. The method may further transmit the integrated golf club and golf ball characteristics to a user device, and may recommend a golf club or a swing technique based on the integrated golf club and golf ball characteristics.

In a further example, another system is for integrating golf club and golf ball characteristics captured during a golf swing. For example, the system includes a server computer communicably coupled to one or more input sources and to one or more user interface devices. In this embodiment, the server computer is configured to receive golf club characteristics captured during the golf swing from the one or more input sources, to receive golf ball characteristics captured during the golf swing from the one or more input sources, and to store the received golf club and golf ball characteristics. The server computer is further configured to select a subset of received golf club and golf ball characteristics, and to transmit the selected subset of received golf club and golf ball characteristics to the one or more user devices.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures.

Disclosed are various systems and methods for capturing, integrating and leveraging measurements captured during a golf swing, such as golf club, golf ball, and golf swing characteristics during a golf swing. It would be understood by one of skill in the art that the disclosed systems and methods are described in but a few exemplary embodiments among many. No particular terminology or description should be considered limiting on the disclosure or the scope of any claims issuing therefrom.

The sport of golf is fraught with many challenges. Enjoyment of the game is increased by addressing the need to hit the golf ball further, straighter, and with more skill. As one progresses in golfing ability, the ability to compete at golf becomes a source of enjoyment. However, one does not simply hit a golf ball straighter or further by mere desire. Like most things, skill is increased with practice-be it repetition or instruction-so that certain elements of the game become easier over time. But it may also be possible to improve one's level of play through the use of technology.

The present embodiments provide systems and methods for aggregating measurements captured by different technologies during a golf swing. By capturing measurements using different technologies, more accurate measurements may be provided to a user by selecting from the measurements, offsetting measurements based on the technologies used, and aligning measurements from different devices. Further, by aggregating measurements received from different devices, additional features and functionalities may be provided to the user absent from any of the devices when used alone. Additionally, by aggregating and storing the measurements, golfers, club fitters, instructors, and other users may access and leverage larger databases of measurements to better understand the user's golf swing and to provide better recommendations to the user. For example, by storing the measurements in a cloud server, the aggregated measurements may be accessible by a variety of different user devices and software applications. The aggregated measurements may be utilized to better understand the captured data, such as to provide for more accurate trajectory models, roll models, algorithms interpreting data and images to accurately depict a shot, developing an artificial turf that replicates real grass club interaction and ball roll, and other algorithms and models used to analyze or simulate a golf shot and/or swing.

Many different technologies have been applied to the problem of capturing measurements during a golf swing. Because of the limitations of the different technologies, as well as budgetary limitations in choosing system components, manufacturers often design systems with different strengths and weaknesses. One or more of the present embodiments may overcome the limitations of any one device by concurrently capturing measurements using different technologies, allowing the measurements of multiple devices to be aggregated and leveraged to present more accurate measurements to the user and to provide additional functionalities based on the aggregated measurements. For example, by capturing measurements concurrently with multiple devices, the most accurate measurements from the different devices may be presented to the user.

One such device is a launch monitor. Launch monitors, which may be placed behind, beside, above, or in another location with respect to a golf ball, provide a system of one or more sensors that capture measurements during a golf swing. For example, launch monitors may capture a number of measurements based on monitoring the golf ball, the golf club, the golfer, or a combination thereof. For example, launch monitors often measure ball speed, club head speed, launch angle, spin, club path, ball path, carry distance, total distance, shot dispersion, and other measurements. Further, launch monitors may also calculate additional measurements, such as smash factor, which is calculated from ball speed and club head speed measurements.

Some launch monitors use high speed cameras to capture measurements during a golf swing. Camera-based launch monitors are often referred to as optical launch monitors, and may use multiple cameras to capture the measurements during the golf swing. Multi-camera systems may measure the golf ball, the golf club, or a combination thereof. For example, GC Quad by Foresight Sports uses four cameras (i.e., quadrascopic) to capture measurements of the golf ball and the golf club during the golf swing. Other optical systems, such as GC2 by Foresight Sports, use fewer cameras, such as only two cameras (i.e., stereoscopic), and only capture measurements of the golf ball. Additional sensors may be provided to capture additional measurements, such as by providing additional cameras to capture golf club measurements (e.g., adding HMT (head measurement technology) by Foresight Sports to the GC2 launch monitor). During use, optical launch monitors are typically placed beside the golf ball before the golf swing.

Launch monitors may also use radar technology, such as Doppler radar, to capture measurements during a golf swing. Radar-based launch monitors are often referred to as Doppler or radar launch monitors. Radar launch monitors may use multiple radar systems to measure the golf ball, the golf club, or a combination thereof. For example, Trackmanby TrackMan Golf uses two radar systems (i.e., dual radar technology), with one radar system tracking movement of the golf club and one radar system tracking movement of the golf ball. During use, Doppler launch monitors are typically placed behind the golf ball before the golf swing.

Additional sensors may also be used by launch monitors to provide greater accuracy, such as using barometers to measure altitude information for generating more accurate calculations based on the optical or radar measurements. Additional sensors may also be incorporated into launch monitors, such as to capture additional measurements and/or to increase the accuracy of calculated metrics.

The different launch monitor technologies each have advantages and disadvantages with respect to each other. For example, optical launch monitors typically offer good measurements on the golf club head (i.e., face to path, dynamic loft and other metrics) and good ball measurements (i.e., spin and other metrics). However, optical launch monitors base their measurements on the initial launch parameters of the ball (i.e., captured during the first few feet the golf ball travels) and cannot follow the entire path of the golf ball. Therefore, optical launch monitors may be less accurate in carry distance, total distance, and other measurements because these measurements must be calculated based on the initial launch parameters. Further, some optical launch monitors require stickers to be placed on the club head in order to accurately measure the club head, and may provide inaccurate measurements without the stickers being present.

Radar launch monitors may have a different set of advantages and disadvantages. For example, radar launch monitors typically offer good golf ball measurements, but may be less accurate with respect the golf club measurements. Radar launch monitors may provide accurate carry distance, total distance, and other measurements because the ball can be tracked through its entire flight. However, other ball measurements may be less accurate using a radar launch monitor. For example, some radar launch monitors estimate spin measurements based on the curvature of a golf ball during flight. However, on a windy day, for example, radar launch monitors may provide inaccurate side spin numbers. Therefore, optical launch monitors are typically superior for spin measurements because the measurements are captured directly, rather than estimated based on ball flight.

The relative advantages and disadvantages between different launch monitors may also differ depending on whether the launch monitors are used indoors or outdoors. For example, when used outdoors, radar launch monitors can follow the entire flight of the ball, capturing accurate measurements of carry and total distance. However, when used indoors, radar launch monitors must calculate carry and total distance based on initial launch parameters in the same manner as optical launch monitors. Accordingly, when used outdoors, radar launch monitors may provide more accurate carry and total distance measurements. Further, because optical launch monitors rely on algorithms to calculate carry and total distance when used outdoors, calibration of the launch monitor may be especially important. For example, most optical launch monitors are used in a “normalized” mode, which estimates carry and total distance based on a set of assumed or ideal course conditions (i.e., sea level, 75 degrees, no wind, etc.). As such, optical launch monitors may provide carry and total distance irrespective of course conditions, leading to greater inaccuracies. When used indoors, radar and optical launch monitors may provide similarly accurate carry and total distance measurements, limited primarily on the algorithms used by each system.

In another example, radar launch monitors may provide less accurate spin measurements when used outdoors. As discussed above, many radar launch monitors estimate spin based on ball flight curvature, which may be adversely affected by wind conditions outdoors (e.g., under- or over-estimating spin when a strong cross-wind is present). Optical launch monitors do not often suffer from the adverse effects of wind conditions because the optical launch monitors measure spin directly, rather than by estimation.

Mobile devices and other personal computing devices may use the device's camera to provide a personal launch monitor. For example, personal launch monitors are described in more detail in U.S. Provisional Patent Appl. No. 62/168,225, filed May 29, 2015, and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,697,613 and 10,223,797 to Tofolo, et. al, entitled “LAUNCH MONITOR,” which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. For example, a launch monitor is disclosed having a camera that can be used to measure a trajectory parameter of a golf ball using a low-speed and a high-speed mode of the camera. Personal launch monitors may provide for ball speed, spin, club head speed, and other metrics. Other personal launch monitors may include the Swing Caddie SC300 by Voice Caddie, the SkyTrak launch monitor, Earnest launch monitors, and other launch monitors.

In addition to launch monitors, additional sensors and input devices may be used to measure the golfer, the golf ball or the golf club during a golf swing. For example, three-dimensional (3D) motion may be measured during the golf swing. The Gears system by Gears Sports is an optical motion capture system that utilizes optical markers placed on the golf club and/or golfer. For example, reflective markers may be placed on the butt end of the golf club grip to capture grip data, on the golf club head to capture head data, and on the golfer to capture additional measurements. High speed cameras are then used to capture motion data base on how the markers move during the golf swing. This motion data may indicate a forward lean of the club shaft at impact, swing tempo, ball initial launch parameters, face angle, club path, and other metrics.

Other types of motion sensors may also be used. For example, Blast by Blast Motion uses a three-axis gyro sensor and an accelerometer to capture golf club movement during a golf swing. The Blast sensor mounts to the butt end of the golf club grip, and provides metrics on forward shaft lean at impact, swing tempo, ball initial launch parameters, face angle and other metrics. Body motion sensors may also be provided, such as K-vest by K-Motion Interactive, Inc., which uses a vest and belt system for capturing and providing measurement of the golfer's shoulders and hips during the golf swing, such as tempo, body positions, wrist angles, peak swing speeds and swing sequencing.

Sensors may also be provided in the golf ball. For example, sensors in the golf ball may include motion sensor, global positioning system (GPS) sensors and/or other sensors to capture measurements of the golf ball, such as spin, total distance, and putting metrics. In another example, the GENIUS ball by OnCore includes an embedded chipset with GPS location and shot data including spin rate, trajectory, velocity, and other data. Golf balls with embedded sensors may be paired with a mobile or desktop application to display the shot data and initial parameters paired with GPS, and analytics using the data and parameters. With respect to the GENIUS ball, a mobile device application may show the ball's location on the course, ball velocity, spin rate and spin axis, carry distance and roll, distance from the green and other metrics. The golf ball may also be tagged and coded for identification, such as using an RFID tag or another technology.

Video has also been long used to evaluate the golf swing, and many technologies integrate optical systems capable of capturing video. For example, some launch monitors combine optical and radar technologies, such as X3 by FlightScope Ltd. which combines 3D tracking radar with image processing, providing video of the golf swing alongside measurements captured during the swing. Other systems time stamp or clip video streams based on other sensor measurements, such that the user is able to evaluate video of a golf swing alongside other swing measurements. High frame rate cameras may also be used in conjunction with other data acquisition devices, such as a High Speed Phantom Camera capable of capturing up to 12,500 frames per second (fps) or more. Additionally, high speed camera systems with an accompanying image processing system have been provided for specialized applications. For example, Quintic Ball Roll and PuttView are camera systems that capture high speed images of a golfer's putting stroke and display putting metrics and recommendations based on processing the high speed images.

Adjustable and/or instrumented surfaces may also be used to capture additional metrics. For example, pressure plates, such as by Swing Catalyst, provide metrics on how the golfer interacts with the ground. Further, the pressure plates may show how the golfer transfers her weight during the swing, which may be indicative of early extensions, rotation, and other characteristics of the golf swing. Adjustable and non-adjustable surfaces may also be used to simulate different lies on the golf course. For example, Perfection Platforms provides an adjustable planar putting and full swing practice surfaces that simulate green undulations that cause putts to curve and uneven lies that cause balls to curve when hit. In another example, FiberBuilt mats provide for an artificial turf that replicates real grass club interaction and ball roll. Artificial turf providing for accurate club-turf interaction may be provided as a fitting mat, such as to replace a fitting lie board that is typically used to determine lie angles of the golf club by striking a golf ball on the lie board and observing a pattern left on a sticker affixed to the sole of a golf club. A fitting mat, in conjunction with a launch monitor, club sensors, and/or high-speed cameras may provide for more accurate fitting and club metrics.

Global positioning system (GPS) sensors may be used to track golf shots during play, aggregate golf club distance data, and provide recommendations to the user. For example, Arccos Caddie Smart Sensors by Arccos Golf provides for a GPS-based hardware and software system for automatically recording golf shots during a round. In this example, each club is provided with a unique sensor and tag, and using the GPS coordinates provided by an accompanying device (e.g., a smart phone), each golf shot is recorded as well as the distance between shots. The Arccos Caddie Smart Sensors and system use a combination of optical and auditory sensors to capture club and shot data. To save power between shots, an ambient light sensor is used to power on an auditory system, such as when a club/sensor is pulled from a bag. The auditory system includes microphone in the sensor that communicates with a receiver in a mobile phone or another device, such as a mobile phone in the golfer's pocket. A standalone device may be provided to receive the signals and to provide GPS coordinates, and a standalone device may provide for more accurate GPS coordinates than a mobile phone. The microphone in the sensor is configured to send two signals at difference frequencies. A first signal in the range of 17.4 kHz to 18.6 kHz is sent as a club identifier when a club is in an address position. A second signal in the range of 18.4 kHz to 19.8 kHz is then sent when the ball is struck. A GPS coordinate is tagged based on the second signal, and distance data is calculated from the tagged GPS coordinates and is associated with the identified club. The golfer's tendencies can also be leveraged from the GPS coordinates, such as whether a golfer typically misses right, short, long, etc. Other systems capture similar information, such as using radio-frequency identification (RFID) or another type of tags or requiring that the information to be entered manually. myRoundPro by TaylorMade Golf includes a smart phone application for logging golf shots during a round using GPS coordinates.

Smart bands, watches, and other wearable devices may also communicate with club tags to provide functionalities as discussed herein.

By understanding the limitations of each type of technology, the present embodiments may select the most accurate measurements and/or calculated metrics to present to a user. Further, as additional technologies and input devices are introduced to capture measurements of the golf swing, the additional technologies may be evaluated and integrated using the present embodiments to increase the accuracy measurements provided to a user.

is a system diagram depicting an exemplary systemfor integrating golf ball characteristics, golf club characteristics, and/or golfer characteristics captured during a golf swing. The systemincludes two or more devices for capturing measurements of the golf ball, the golf club, and/or the golferduring a golf swing. For example, the systemmay include an optical launch monitorfor capturing optical golf club characteristics and optical golf ball characteristics during the golf swing. The systemmay also include a motion sensorfor capturing motion-based golf club characteristics during the golf swing. The motion sensormay be coupled to the golf clubat any point, such as at the club head (as pictured), in a butt end of the grip, or at another location on the golf club. The systemmay also include a radar launch monitor for capturing radar golf club characteristics and radar golf ball characteristics during the golf swing. Additional, different, and fewer sensors may be provided for capturing additional measurements during the golf swing, such as a motion sensorfor measuring movement by the golferduring the golf swing. Additionally, wireless sensors, such as Bluetooth, RFID, or other sensors, may be used to identify the golf club, or components (e.g., head, shaft, grip, or another club component) and/or specifications (e.g., length, loft, lie, adapter settings, or another club specification) thereof.

The systemalso includes a host computercommunicatively coupled to the sensors in the system. The host computercan be any of a variety of computing devices (e.g., personal computer (PC), laptop computer, tablet, smart phone, cell phone, smartphone, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), server computer, or another computing device). The host computermay be communicatively coupled to one or more of the optical launch monitor, the motion sensor, the radar launch monitorand/or the motion sensor. The host computermay be communicatively coupled to the sensors using any known or unknown wired or wireless communication method, such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or another communication protocol. Multiple different communication protocols may be used concurrently. For example, the motion sensormay communicate with Bluetooth while the optical launch monitor may communicate with Wi-Fi.

The host computeris configured to receive golf club measurements from the different sensors and to integrate the measurements for presentation to the golferor another user, such as an instructor or club fitter. The received golf club measurements may be stored before or after integration, such as in a database of measurements associated with the golfer. In an example, the host computeris configured receive the optical golf club characteristics and the optical golf ball characteristics from the optical launch monitorand to receive motion-based golf club characteristics from the motion sensor. The host computerthen selects a subset of the received characteristics and combines the selected subset characteristics into an integrated set of golf club and golf ball characteristics for presentation to the golfer. The integrated set of golf club and golf ball characteristics may also be stored in a database and associated with a user profile for the golfer.

The host computermay select the subset of characteristics based on an accuracy metric or another criteria for each of the optical golf club characteristics, each of the optical golf ball characteristics, and each of the motion-based golf club characteristics. As discussed above, each sensor technology may have different strengths and weaknesses, and may provide measurements with different levels of accuracy. Based on the strengths and weaknesses of each sensor technology, the host computermay assign an accuracy metric to each measurement captured by each sensor. In this example, when multiple sensors provide the same or a similar measurement, the host computermay select the sensor measurement with the highest accuracy metric.

The host computermay also be configured to combine the subset of characteristics by applying a correction coefficient. For example, different sensors may provide slightly different outputs for the same measurement. For example, optical and radar launch monitors may provide different outputs for the same angle of attack measurements, with the outputs differing by about 1.5 degrees. If the host computerreceives a measurement from a sensor with an output that is known to be inaccurate, the host computermay apply a correction coefficient to the output, allowing the host computerto present an adjusted measurement to the user. Further by correcting measurements between devices, the user may be provided with consistent measurements irrespective of what device was used to capture the measurements.

The host computermay be configured to provide the integrated golf club and golf ball characteristics for display to a user. The host computermay also provide a recommendation for display to a user, such as a golf club fitting recommendation, a golf swing technique recommendation, or another recommendation.

In an embodiment, the systemmay operate as a “universal remote” for multiple launch monitors and other sensor devices. For example, systemmay be coupled to both the optical launch monitorand the radar launch monitor. In this example, many of the same measurements are captured by both launch monitors. During operation, both launch monitors operate side-by-side, and transmit measurements to the host computerconcurrently. The host computerreceives the measurements from both launch monitors and displays only the most accurate measurements from the two launch monitors. In this example, priority is given to different measurements captured by the launch monitors based on the technology, based on whether the measurements were captured indoors or outdoors, based on the settings and calibration used by of each launch monitor, and based on other criteria affecting accuracy of the launch monitors. By giving priority to measurements captured by the different launch monitors, the systemmay handle issues with each launch monitor and provide more accurate and usable data to the user. Further, the measurements captured by each launch monitor may be stored with time stamps, recorded with any offsets applied to one or more of the measurements, and recorded with the priority given to each measurement.

In another embodiment, the host computer may apply offsets to measurements captured by misaligned launch monitors and other sensors. For example, if a launch monitor is misaligned, the launch monitor may indicate that a golf shot that is off-line with respect to the intended target line, when in reality, the user may have failed to place and calibrate the launch monitor properly. In this example, the systemmay be coupled to optical launch monitorand radar launch monitor. By concurrently capturing measurements using the different launch monitors, offsets can be applied to measurements captured by a misaligned launch monitor based on measurements received from the other launch monitor. In some embodiments, one type of launch monitor may be more easily configured and accurately placed (i.e., using a camera, an optical alignment stick, or another method). By relying on the easily configured and more accurately placed launch monitor as a baseline, measurements captured by the other launch monitor can be offset and corrected, such as start line, dispersion, club face angle and other measurements. In another embodiment, measurements from the other launch monitor are disregarded as inaccurate and only measurements from the easily configured and more accurately placed launch monitor are selected for display to the user.

As discussed above, the host computercan be any of a variety of computing devices.is a system diagram of an exemplary computing device in accordance with one or more of the present embodiments. The computing devicemay include a variety of optional hardware and software components, shown generally at. The computing devicecan be a multi-function device that includes software applications for providing functionality to one or more of the launch monitors and/or other sensors. The launch monitor and/or sensor functionality can be pre-loaded on the computing deviceor can be downloaded from an app store, for example.

Any componentsin the computing devicecan communicate with any other component, although not all connections are shown, for ease of illustration. The computing devicecan be any of a variety of computing devices (e.g., personal computer (PC), laptop computer, tablet, smart phone, cell phone, smartphone, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), server computer, or another computing device) and can allow wireless two-way communications with one or more mobile communications networks, such as a Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, satellite, or another network.

The illustrated computing devicecan include a controller or processor(e.g., signal processor, microprocessor, ASIC, or other control and processing logic circuitry) for performing such tasks as signal coding, data processing, input/output processing, power control, and/or other functions. An operating systemcan control the allocation and usage of the componentsand support for one or more application programs. The application programs can include a launch monitors and/or other sensors, common mobile computing applications (e.g., email applications, calendars, contact managers, web browsers, messaging applications), or any other computing application. The operating systemcan include drivers and/or other functionality for controlling and accessing one or more input devicesand one or more output devices. For example, the operating systemcan include functionality for the host computer.

The illustrated computing devicecan include memory. The memorycan include non-removable memoryand/or removable memory. The non-removable memorycan include RAM, ROM, flash memory, a hard disk, or other well-known memory storage technologies. The removable memorycan include flash memory or a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card, which is well known in GSM communication systems, or other well-known memory storage technologies, such as “smart cards.” The memorycan be used for storing data and/or code for running the operating systemand the applications. Example data can include web pages, text, images, sound files, video data, or other data sets to be sent to and/or received from one or more network servers or other devices via one or more wired or wireless networks. The memorycan be used to store a subscriber identifier, such as an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), and an equipment identifier, such as an International Mobile Equipment Identifier (IMEI). Such identifiers can be transmitted to a network server to identify users and equipment.

The computing devicecan support one or more input devices, such as a touchscreen, microphone, camera, physical keyboardand/or trackball. The computing devicecan support one or more output devices, such as a speakerand a display. Other possible output devices (not shown) can include piezoelectric or other haptic output devices. Some devices can serve more than one input/output function. For example, touchscreenand displaycan be combined in a single input/output device. The input devicescan include a Natural User Interface (NUI). An NUI is any interface technology that enables a user to interact with a device in a “natural” manner, free from artificial constraints imposed by input devices such as mice, keyboards, remote controls, and the like. Examples of NUI methods include those relying on speech recognition, touch and stylus recognition, gesture recognition both on screen and adjacent to the screen, air gestures, head and eye tracking, voice and speech, vision, touch, gestures, and machine intelligence. Other examples of a NUI include motion gesture detection using accelerometers/gyroscopes, facial recognition, 3D displays, head, eye, and gaze tracking, immersive augmented reality and virtual reality systems, all of which may provide a more natural interface. Thus, in one specific example, the operating systemor applicationscan comprise speech-recognition software as part of a voice user interface that allows a user to operate the devicevia voice commands. Further, the devicecan comprise input devices and software that allows for user interaction via a user's spatial gestures, such as detecting and interpreting gestures to provide input to a gaming application.

A wireless modemcan be coupled to an antenna (not shown) and can support two-way communications between the processorand external devices, as is well understood in the art. For example, the external devices can be server computers, wearable devices (such as a Bluetooth headset or a watch), or additional output devices. The modemis shown generically and can include a cellular modem for communicating with the mobile communication networkand/or other radio-based modems (e.g., Bluetoothor Wi-Fi). The wireless modemis typically configured for communication with one or more cellular networks, such as a GSM network for data and voice communications within a single cellular network, between cellular networks, or between the computing device and a public switched telephone network (PSTN).

The computing device can further include at least one input/output port, a power supply, a satellite navigation system receiver, such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, an accelerometer, and/or a physical connector, which can be a USB port, IEEE 1394 (FireWire) port, and/or RS-232 port. The illustrated componentsare not required or all-inclusive, as any components can be deleted and other components can be added.

In one or more embodiments, a server computer is provided for integrating data and measurements captured during a golf swing. For example,depicts a generalized example of a suitable server computerin which the described innovations may be implemented. The server computeris not intended to suggest any limitation as to scope of use or functionality, as the innovations may be implemented in diverse general-purpose or special-purpose computing systems. For example, the server computercan be any of a variety of computing devices (e.g., desktop computer, laptop computer, server computer, tablet computer, media player, gaming system, mobile device, or another computing device)

With reference to, the server computerincludes one or more processing units,and memory,. In, this basic configurationis included within a dashed line. The processing units,execute computer-executable instructions. A processing unit can be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), processor in an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or any other type of processor. In a multi-processing system, multiple processing units execute computer-executable instructions to increase processing power. For example,shows a central processing unitas well as a graphics processing unit or co-processing unit. The tangible memory,may be volatile memory (e.g., registers, cache, RAM), non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM, EEPROM, flash memory, etc.), or some combination of the two, accessible by the processing unit(s). The memory,stores softwareimplementing one or more innovations described herein, in the form of computer-executable instructions suitable for execution by the processing unit(s).

A computing system may have additional features. For example, the server computerincludes storage, one or more input devices, one or more output devices, and one or more communication connections. An interconnection mechanism (not shown) such as a bus, controller, or network interconnects the components of the server computer. Typically, operating system software (not shown) provides an operating environment for other software executing in the server computer, and coordinates activities of the components of the server computer.

The tangible storagemay be removable or non-removable, and includes magnetic disks, magnetic tapes or cassettes, CD-ROMs, DVDs, or any other medium which can be used to store information in a non-transitory way and which can be accessed within the server computer. The storagestores instructions for the softwareimplementing one or more innovations described herein. The storagealso stores data captured during a golf swing, such as in a database or another file structure.

The input device(s)may be a touch input device such as a keyboard, mouse, pen, or trackball, a voice input device, a scanning device, or another device that provides input to the server computer. For video encoding, the input device(s)may be a camera, video card, TV tuner card, or similar device that accepts video input in analog or digital form, or another storage medium that provides video samples into the server computer. The output device(s)may be a display, printer, speaker, or another device that provides output from the server computer.

The communication connection(s)enable communication over a communication medium to another computing entity. The communication medium conveys information such as computer-executable instructions, audio or video input or output, or other data in a modulated data signal. A modulated data signal is a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media can use an electrical, optical, RF, or other carrier.

Although the operations of some of the disclosed methods are described in a particular, sequential order for convenient presentation, it should be understood that this manner of description encompasses rearrangement, unless a particular ordering is required by specific language set forth below. For example, operations described sequentially may in some cases be rearranged or performed concurrently. Moreover, for the sake of simplicity, the attached figures may not show the various ways in which the disclosed methods can be used in conjunction with other methods.