SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SHOWING GOLFERS HOW TO AIM PROPERLY BEFORE GOLF BALLS ARE STRICKEN

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for showing golfers how to aim properly before golf balls are stricken. In one embodiment, a system is provided. The system includes a stand, which forms a lower portion for a golf tee, wherein the stand is configured to rotate freely. Further, the system includes an upper housing, which forms a higher portion for the golf tee. Moreover, an object is included that is physically attached to the upper housing to serve as a pointer for a golfer to hit a golf ball in a direction pointed by the pointer, wherein the direction pointed by the pointer can be changed by rotating the stand.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention generally relates to techniques to improve golfers' skills. Specifically, but not related to, this invention determines if a tee is currently pointing at a direction that aligns with the targeted holes. Further, this invention uses computerized techniques to help golfers to aim at the right directions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Training is an important aspect to every sport, and golf is no exception in this regard. Golfers can improve how they golf by training on a regular basis. One good aspect of training of golfing is that training can be done by the golfer himself or herself because golfing is an individual sport than a team sport. Unlike other sports, golf can be practiced without other members. That gives golfers more opportunities to sharpen their skills. However, having said that, Golf can be easy to learn but difficult to master. For example, before a golfer makes a swing, he or she must estimate how hard the swing should be. Otherwise a golf ball may be hit too hard, so that the ball would fly out too far away from the target. If, on the other hand, the ball is being hit too soft, the ball would never reach the target hole. Another skill for a golfer to master is the aiming direction. The direction of the club to hit the ball can become crucial because if a golf ball is hit at a wrong direction, the golf ball would miss the target even though the golf club makes a perfect touch to the ball. Thus, the golfer must estimate the direction very carefully in order for the golfer to properly aim at the right direction before he or she can hit the target. Conventionally, most training is conducted under the guidance of coaches only. With technologies, golfers can now improve their skills even without the presence of coaches. Therefore, in view of the foregoing, there is a need to design a system and methods that allow golfers to aim at directions with greater flexibility and choices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] According to embodiments of the present invention, a system is provided for showing golfers how to aim properly before golf balls are stricken. The system may comprise a stand, which forms a lower portion for a golf tee, wherein the stand is configured to rotate freely; a upper housing, which forms a higher portion for the golf tee; an object physically attached to the upper housing to serve as a pointer for a golfer to hit a golf ball in a direction pointed by the pointer, wherein the direction pointed by the pointer can be changed by rotating the stand; a controller in the golf tee to support commands for rotation; a first GPS associated with a flag of a first hole; a second GPS associated with a flag of a second hole; a third GPS associated with a flag of a third hole; a fourth GPS associated with the golf tee; a mobile device used by the golfer to serve as a user interface of the system; a processor included in the mobile device; and a memory included in the mobile device.

[0004] In another embodiment, the embodied method may comprise receiving a report from the first hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the first hole; receiving a report from the second hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the second hole; receiving a report from the third hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the third hole; receiving a report from the golf tee, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the golf tee; receiving a report from the pointer, wherein the report includes the direction currently pointed by the pointer; displaying, on the user interface of the mobile device, the locations of the first hole, second hole, third hole, and the golf tee; waiting, on the user interface, for the user to select a hole from the first hole, second hole, and third hole, wherein the hole serves as a hole the user is aiming to hit; detecting that the user has selected the first hole as the hole the user is aiming to hit; determining, based on the GPS location of the first hole, the GPS location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by the pointer, whether the pointer is currently directed toward the first hole; displaying, on the user interface of the mobile device, the location of the first hole, the location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by the pointer; if determined that the pointer fails to directed toward the first hole, commanding the controller in the golf tee to rotate at the direction that would allow the pointer to point directly toward the first hole; and re-displaying, on the user interface of the mobile device, the location of the first hole, the location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by the pointer, such that the direction currently pointed by the pointer is now aligning with the first hole, so that the user can strike the golf ball by referring to the direction pointed by the pointer.

[0005] In another embodiment, the method may comprise receiving a report from the first hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the first hole; receiving a report from the second hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the second hole; receiving a report from the third hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the third hole; receiving a report from the golf tee, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the golf tee; receiving a report from the pointer, wherein the report includes the direction currently pointed by the pointer; displaying, on the user interface of the mobile device, the locations of the first hole, second hole, third hole, and the golf tee; waiting, on the user interface, for the user to select a hole from the first hole, second hole, and third hole, wherein the hole serves as a hole the user is aiming to hit; detecting that the user has selected the first hole as the hole the user is aiming to hit; determining, based on the GPS location of the first hole, the GPS location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by the pointer, whether the pointer is currently directed toward the first hole; displaying, on the user interface of the mobile device, the location of the first hole, the location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by the pointer; detecting that the user has changed mind to select the second hole as the hole the user is aiming to hit; determining, based on the GPS location of the second hole, the GPS location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by the pointer, whether the pointer is currently directed toward the second hole; displaying, on the user interface of the mobile device, the location of the second hole, the location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by the pointer; if determined that the pointer fails to directed toward the second hole, commanding the controller in the golf tee to rotate at the direction that would allow the pointer to point directly toward the second hole; and re-displaying, on the user interface of the mobile device, the location of the second hole, the location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by the pointer, such that the direction currently pointed by the pointer is now aligning with the second hole, so that the user can strike the golf ball by referring to the direction pointed by the pointer.

[0006] In another embodiment, the method may comprise receiving a report from the first hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the first hole; receiving a report from the second hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the second hole; receiving a report from the third hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the third hole; receiving a report from the golf tee, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the golf tee; receiving a report from the pointer, wherein the report includes the direction currently pointed by the pointer; displaying, on the user interface of the mobile device, the locations of the first hole, second hole, third hole, and the golf tee; waiting, on the user interface, for the user to select a hole from the first hole, second hole, and third hole, wherein the hole serves as a hole the user is aiming to hit; detecting that the user has selected the first hole as the hole the user is aiming to hit; determining, based on the GPS location of the first hole, the GPS location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by the pointer, whether the pointer is currently directed toward the first hole; displaying, on the user interface of the mobile device, the location of the first hole, the location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by the pointer; if determined that the pointer fails to directed toward the first hole, suggesting the user through the user interface that: the golf tee, as suggested by the pointer, fails to point directly toward the first hole; and the pointer is required to rotate to a certain angle in order for the pointer to point directly toward the first hole; waiting for the user to rotate the golf tee to a different angle; when detected that the golf tee has been rotated to the different angle, re-determining whether the pointer is currently directed toward the first hole, and suggesting the user to make changes with respect to the rotating angle of the pointer until the pointer is pointing directly toward the first hole; and re-displaying, on the user interface of the mobile device, the location of the first hole, the location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by the pointer, such that the direction currently pointed by the pointer is now aligning with the first hole, so that the user can strike the golf ball by referring to the direction pointed by the pointer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a golf training system, consistent with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] This invention relates to a system for showing golfers how to aim properly before golf balls are stricken. Referring to FIG. 1 for one implementation. A golf training system is provided, comprising a stand, which forms a lower portion for a golf tee, wherein the stand is configured to rotate freely; a upper housing, which forms a higher portion for the golf tee; an object physically attached to the upper housing to serve as a pointer for a golfer to hit a golf ball in a direction pointed by the pointer, wherein the direction pointed by the pointer can be changed by rotating the stand; a controller in the golf tee to support commands for rotation; a first GPS associated with a flag of a first hole; a second GPS associated with a flag of a second hole; a third GPS associated with a flag of a third hole; a fourth GPS associated with the golf tee; a mobile device used by the golfer to serve as a user interface of the system; a processor included in the mobile device; and a memory included in the mobile device, wherein the memory stores instructions that cause the processor to execute a method, the method comprising: receiving a report from the first hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the first hole; receiving a report from the second hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the second hole; receiving a report from the third hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the third hole; receiving a report from the golf tee, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the golf tee; receiving a report from the pointer, wherein the report includes the direction currently pointed by the pointer; displaying, on the user interlace of the mobile device, the locations of the first hole, second hole, third hole, and the golf tee; waiting, on the user interface, for the user to select a hole from the first hole, second hole, and third hole, wherein the hole serves as a hole the user is aiming to hit; detecting that the user has selected the first hole as the hole the user is aiming to hit; determining, based on the GPS location of the first hole, the GPS location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by the pointer, whether the pointer is currently directed toward the first hole; displaying, on the user interlace of the mobile device, the location of the first hole, the location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by the pointer; if determined that the pointer fails to directed toward the first hole, commanding the controller in the golf tee to rotate at the direction that would allow the pointer to point directly toward the first hole; and re-displaying, on the user interlace of the mobile device, the location of the first hole, the location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by the pointer, such that the direction currently pointed by the pointer is now aligning with the first hole, so that the user can strike the golf ball by referring to the direction pointed by the pointer.

[0009] The disclosed invention relating to the golf training system may be implemented with other features, comprising: a stand, which forms a lower portion for a golf tee, wherein the stand is configured to rotate freely; a upper housing, which forms a higher portion for the golf tee; an object physically attached to the upper housing to serve as a pointer for a golfer to hit a golf ball in a direction pointed by the pointer, wherein the direction pointed by the pointer can be changed by rotating the stand; a controller in the golf tee to support commands for rotation; a first GPS associated with a flag of a first hole; a second GPS associated with a flag of a second hole; a third GPS associated with a flag of a third hole; a fourth GPS associated with the golf tee; a mobile device used by the golfer to serve as a user interface of the system; a processor included in the mobile device; and a memory included in the mobile device, wherein the memory stores instructions that cause the processor to execute a method, the method comprising: receiving a report from the first hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the first hole; receiving a report from the second hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the second hole; receiving a report from the third hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the third hole; receiving a report from the golf tee, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the golf tee; and receiving a report from the pointer.

[0010] The resulting report may include different information. One example includes the direction currently pointed by the pointer; displaying, on the user interface of the mobile device, the locations of the first hole, second hole, third hole, and the golf tee; waiting, on the user interface, for the user to select a hole from the first hole, second hole, and third hole, wherein the hole serves as a hole the user is aiming to hit; detecting that the user has selected the first hole as the hole the user is aiming to hit; determining, based on the GPS location of the first hole, the GPS location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by the pointer, whether the pointer is currently directed toward the first hole; displaying, on the user interface of the mobile device, the location of the first hole, the location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by the pointer; detecting that the user has changed mind to select the second hole as the hole the user is aiming to hit; determining, based on the GPS location of the second hole, the GPS location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by the pointer, whether the pointer is currently directed toward the second hole; displaying, on the user interface of the mobile device, the location of the second hole, the location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by the pointer; if determined that the pointer fails to directed toward the second hole, commanding the controller in the golf tee to rotate at the direction that would allow the pointer to point directly toward the second hole; and re-displaying, on the user interface of the mobile device, the location of the second hole, the location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by the pointer, such that the direction currently pointed by the pointer is now aligning with the second hole, so that the user can strike the golf ball by referring to the direction pointed by the pointer.

[0011] The report may also include a GPS location of the golf tee; receiving a report from the pointer, wherein the report includes the direction currently pointed by the pointer; displaying, on the user interface of the mobile device, the locations of the first hole, second hole, third hole, and the golf tee; waiting, on the user interface, for the user to select a hole from the first hole, second hole, and third hole, wherein the hole serves as a hole the user is aiming to hit; detecting that the user has selected the first hole as the hole the user is aiming to hit; determining, based on the GPS location of the first hole, the GPS location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by the pointer, whether the pointer is currently directed toward the first hole; displaying, on the user interface of the mobile device, the location of the first hole, the location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by the pointer; if determined that the pointer fails to directed toward the first hole, suggesting the user through the user interface that: the golf tee, as suggested by the pointer, fails to point directly toward the first hole; and the pointer is required to rotate to a certain angle in order for the pointer to point directly toward the first hole; waiting for the user to rotate the golf tee to a different angle; when detected that the golf tee has been rotated to the different angle, re-determining whether the pointer is currently directed toward the first hole, and suggesting the user to make changes with respect to the rotating angle of the pointer until the pointer is pointing directly toward the first hole; and re-displaying, on the user interface of the mobile device, the location of the first hole, the location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by the pointer, such that the direction currently pointed by the pointer is now aligning with the first hole, so that the user can strike the golf ball by referring to the direction pointed by the pointer.

Claims

1. A system for showing golfers how to aim properly before golf balls are stricken, comprising: a stand, which forms a lower portion for a golf tee, wherein the stand is configured to rotate freely; a upper housing, which forms a higher portion for the golf tee; an object physically attached to the upper housing to serve as a pointer for a golfer to hit a golf ball in a direction pointed by the pointer, wherein the direction pointed by the pointer can be changed by rotating the stand; a controller in the golf tee to support commands for rotation; a first GPS associated with a flag of a first hole; a second GPS associated with a flag of a second hole; a third GPS associated with a flag of a third hole; a fourth GPS associated with the golf tee; a mobile device used by the golfer to serve as a user interface of the system; a processor included in the mobile device; and a memory included in the mobile device

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the method comprises: receiving a report from the first hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the first hole; receiving a report from the second hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the second hole; receiving a report from the third hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the third hole; receiving a report from the golf tee, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the golf tee; receiving a report from the pointer, wherein the report includes the direction currently pointed by the pointer; displaying, on the user interface of the mobile device, the locations of the first hole, second hole, third hole, and the golf tee; waiting, on the user interface, for the user to select a hole from the first hole, second hole, and third hole, wherein the hole serves as a hole the user is aiming to hit; detecting that the user has selected the first hole as the hole the user is aiming to hit; determining, based on the GPS location of the first hole, the GPS location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by the pointer, whether the pointer is currently directed toward the first hole; displaying, on the user interface of the mobile device, the location of the first hole, the location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by the pointer; if determined that the pointer fails to directed toward the first hole, commanding the controller in the golf tee to rotate at the direction that would allow the pointer to point directly toward the first hole; and re-displaying, on the user interface of the mobile device, the location of the first hole, the location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by the pointer, such that the direction currently pointed by the pointer is now aligning with the first hole, so that the user can strike the golf ball by referring, to the direction pointed by the pointer.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the method comprises: receiving a report from the first hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the first hole; receiving a report from the second hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the second hole; receiving a report from the third hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the third hole; receiving a report from the golf tee, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the golf tee; receiving a report from the pointer, wherein the report includes the direction currently pointed by the pointer; displaying, on the user interface of the mobile device, the locations of the first hole, second hole, third hole, and the golf tee; waiting, on the user interface, for the user to select a hole from the first hole, second hole, and third hole, wherein the hole serves as a hole the user is aiming to hit; detecting that the user has selected the first hole as the hole the user is aiming to hit; determining, based on the GPS location of the first hole, the GPS location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by the pointer, whether the pointer is currently directed toward the first hole; displaying, on the user interface of the mobile device, the location of the first hole, the location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by the pointer; detecting that the user has changed mind to select the second hole as the hole the user is aiming to hit; determining, based on the GPS location of the second hole, the GPS location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by the pointer, whether the pointer is currently directed toward the second hole; displaying, on the user interface of the mobile device, the location of the second hole, the location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by the pointer; if determined that the pointer fails to directed toward the second hole, commanding the controller in the golf tee to rotate at the direction that would allow the pointer to point directly toward the second hole; and re-displaying, on the user interface of the mobile device, the location of the second hole, the location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by the pointer, such that the direction currently pointed by the pointer is now aligning with the second hole, so that the user can strike the golf ball by referring to the direction pointed by the pointer.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the method comprises: receiving a report from the first hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the first hole; receiving a report from the second hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the second hole; receiving a report from the third hole, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the third hole; receiving a report from the golf tee, wherein the report includes a GPS location of the golf tee; receiving a report from the pointer, wherein the report includes the direction currently pointed by the pointer; displaying, on the user interface of the mobile device, the locations of the first hole, second hole, third hole, and the golf tee; waiting, on the user interface, for the user to select a hole from the first hole, second hole, and third hole, wherein the hole serves as a hole the user is aiming to hit; detecting that the user has selected the first hole as the hole the user is aiming to hit; determining, based on the GPS location of the first hole, the GPS location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by the pointer, whether the pointer is currently directed toward the first hole; displaying, on the user interface of the mobile device, the location of the first hole, the location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by the pointer; if determined that the pointer fails to directed toward the first hole, suggesting the user through the user interface that: the golf tee, as suggested by the pointer, fails to point directly toward the first hole; and the pointer is required to rotate to a certain angle in order for the pointer to point directly toward the first hole; waiting for the user to rotate the golf tee to a different angle; when detected that the golf tee has been rotated to the different angle, re-determining whether the pointer is currently directed toward the first hole, and suggesting the user to make changes with respect to the rotating angle of the pointer until the pointer is pointing directly toward the first hole; and re-displaying, on the user interface of the mobile device, the location of the first hole, the location of the golf tee, and the direction currently pointed by the pointer, such that the direction currently pointed by the pointer is now aligning with the first hole, so that the user can strike the golf ball by referring to the direction pointed by the pointer.

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