Real-Time Tracking System for Sports Scoring Objects and Methods of Use

Abstract

A real-time tracking system for sports scoring objects and associated methods of use are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the scoring object provides an at least one object location sensor, an at least one object motion sensor, an object communication device, and a microcontroller. Upon a user desiring to track the at least one scoring object, the system is configured for allowing the object communication device of the scoring object to be placed in communication with a user device. A start location of the scoring object is determined prior to being put into motion. Upon determining that the scoring object is in motion, an at least one motion attribute of the scoring object, as captured by the object motion sensor of the scoring object, is monitored. Upon subsequently determining that the scoring object has come to rest, an end location of the scoring object is determined. At least one of the start location, end location and at least one motion attribute is transmitted to the user application of the user device which, in turn, displays said data via an at least one display screen of the user device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for tracking an at least one scoring object in real-time, the scoring object having an at least one object location sensor, an at least one object motion sensor, an object communication device, and a microcontroller, the method comprising the steps of:
 implementing a user application residing in memory on an at least one user device under the control of a user, the at least one user device in selective communication with the at least one scoring object; and   upon the user desiring to track the at least one scoring object:
 allowing the object communication device of the scoring object to be placed in communication with the user device; 
 determining a start location of the scoring object; and 
 upon determining that the scoring object is in motion:
 monitoring an at least one motion attribute of the scoring object, as captured by the object motion sensor of the scoring object; and 
 upon determining that the scoring object has come to rest:
 determining an end location of the scoring object; 
 transmitting at least one of the start location, end location and at least one motion attribute to the user device; and 
 displaying at least one of the start location, end location and at least one motion attribute via an at least one display screen of the user device. 
 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of activating the scoring object. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of activating the scoring object further comprises the step of determining whether the scoring object is being physically moved in a pre-defined motion or sequence of motions. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of determining the start location of the scoring object further comprises the step of capturing the start location of the scoring object via the object location sensor of the scoring object. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of determining the end location of the scoring object further comprises the step of capturing the end location of the scoring object via the object location sensor of the scoring object. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of monitoring an at least one motion attribute of the scoring object further comprises the step of monitoring at least one of an altitude, flight path, launch trajectory, speed, and spin rate of the scoring object. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of determining a travel distance between the end location and start location of the scoring object. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of acquiring an at least one environmental condition. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the step of acquiring an at least one environmental condition further comprises the step of acquiring at least one of a current temperature, current humidity, current time of day, current wind speed and direction, current elevation, and current grass condition. 
     
     
         10 . A method for tracking an at least one scoring object in real-time, the scoring object being a golf ball having an at least one object location sensor, an at least one object motion sensor, an object communication device, and a microcontroller embedded therewithin, the method comprising the steps of:
 implementing a user application residing in memory on an at least one user device under the control of a user, the at least one user device in selective communication with the at least one scoring object; and   upon the user desiring to track the at least one scoring object:
 allowing the object communication device of the scoring object to be placed in communication with the user device; 
 determining a start location of the scoring object; and 
 upon determining that the scoring object is in motion:
 monitoring an at least one motion attribute of the scoring object, as captured by the object motion sensor of the scoring object; and 
 upon determining that the scoring object has come to rest:
 determining an end location of the scoring object; 
 transmitting at least one of the start location, end location and at least one motion attribute to the user device; and 
 displaying at least one of the start location, end location and at least one motion attribute via an at least one display screen of the user device. 
 
 
   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of determining a golf club type to be used for hitting the scoring object. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of displaying at least one of the start location, end location and at least one motion attribute via an at least one display screen of the user device further comprises the step of providing via the display screen an aerial view of a golf course on which the user is currently playing, with at least one of the start location, end location and at least one motion attribute overlaid on said aerial view. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of determining a current location of the scoring object relative to the golf course based on an at least one pre-defined geofence associated with a particular region of the golf course. 
     
     
         14 . A real-time tracking system comprising:
 an at least one scoring object comprising:
 an at least one object location sensor configured for determining at least one of a current latitude, longitude and altitude of the scoring object; 
 an at least one object motion sensor configured for determining an at least one motion attribute of the scoring object; 
 an object communication device configured for selectively communicating with an at least one user device under the control of a user; and 
 a microcontroller in electrical communication with each of the object location sensor, object motion sensor, and object communication device; and 
   a user application residing in memory on the at least one user device, the at least one user device in selective communication with the at least one scoring object;   wherein, upon the user desiring to track the at least one scoring object, the system is configured for:
 allowing the object communication device of the scoring object to be placed in communication with the user device; 
 determining a start location of the scoring object; and 
 upon determining that the scoring object is in motion:
 monitoring an at least one motion attribute of the scoring object, as captured by the object motion sensor of the scoring object; and 
 upon determining that the scoring object has come to rest:
 determining an end location of the scoring object; 
 transmitting at least one of the start location, end location and at least one motion attribute to the user device; and 
 displaying at least one of the start location, end location and at least one motion attribute via an at least one display screen of the user device. 
 
 
   
     
     
         15 . The real-time tracking system of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one scoring object further comprises an at least one battery configured for selectively providing power to each of the object location sensor, object motion sensor, object communication device, and microcontroller. 
     
     
         16 . The real-time tracking system of  claim 14 , wherein each of the object location sensor, object motion sensor, object communication device, microcontroller, and battery is embedded within the scoring object. 
     
     
         17 . The real-time tracking system of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one scoring object is a golf ball. 
     
     
         18 . The real-time tracking system of  claim 17 , wherein the object location sensor, object motion sensor, object communication device, microcontroller, and battery are sealed in a substantially spherical housing that is embedded within the scoring object. 
     
     
         19 . The real-time tracking system of  claim 18 , wherein the housing is an epoxy resin that substantially encases the object location sensor, object motion sensor, object communication device, microcontroller, and battery. 
     
     
         20 . The real-time tracking system of  claim 18 , wherein the object location sensor, object motion sensor, object communication device, microcontroller, and battery are substantially centered within the housing, with the housing being substantially centered within the scoring object.