Patent Application
20250099834
Novel aspects of the present disclosure relate to a device capable of detecting a disc that lands in close proximity. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system, and method for detecting a disc that lands in close proximity.
Disc golf is a sport where players attempt to throw a disc at a target in the fewest number of throws. Disc golf mirrors traditional golf in the basic scoring rules but differs in the equipment. Instead of a hole in the ground, players attempt to throw their disc at an upright standing basket. The baskets are formed by wire and are characterized by hanging chains above the basket that connect to the center pole. The chains absorb the impact of a flying disc, causing the disc to fall into a wire receptacle below. The discs themselves are formed of plastics and weigh no more than 200 grams to comply with Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) rules.
Standard baskets lack any mechanism for detecting the presence of nearby discs or for recording scores. Additionally, the importance of the flight properties of discs has discouraged the creation of discs with affixed tracking components because of the added weight. Disc golf currently lacks any automated scoring mechanisms; thus, tournaments rely on manual observation to tally each player's results.
Novel aspects of the disclosure are directed to an apparatus for detecting discs, a system for detecting discs, and methods of marking discs and detecting discs. Embodiments of an apparatus for detecting discs, which is designed and constructed in accordance with the disclosed principles, include at least one processor, sensor, transmitter, and power source. Such an apparatus is located at a basket for detecting the presence of discs that land in or near the basket. The at least one sensor is configured to detect discs with an attached tracker. The at least one processor executes instructions to determine that a disc has landed in proximity to the apparatus before controlling the at least one transmitter to send a message indicating the disc's proximity to the apparatus. Such a message may be sent to a mobile device of a player, typically the player who threw the detected disc, and may be received and displayed to the player via a specialized software application executing on the mobile device.
Embodiments of systems for detecting discs in close proximity, designed and constructed in accordance with the disclosed principles, include a disc golf basket with an open-topped disc-catching basket and an attached apparatus or device as disclosed herein. Embodiments of such an apparatus or device includes at least one processor, sensor, transmitter, and power source. The at least one sensor is configured to detect discs that land in the open-topped basket. The at least one processor executes instructions to determine that a disc has landed in the open-topped basket before controlling the at least one transmitter to send a message to indicate that the disc has landed in the open-topped basket. As before, such a message may be sent to a mobile device of a player/user of the system, for example, via a software application executing on the mobile device.
Embodiments of methods in accordance with the disclosed principles are directed to methods of marking discs and detecting discs that land in a disc golf basket or in proximity to it. The step of marking discs includes attaching a tracker that transmits wireless signals to a sensor in an apparatus designed and constructed as disclosed herein. The step of detecting a disc with such an apparatus or device includes receiving signals from the tracker of the disc, determining that the disc has landed in proximity to the apparatus, and sending a message to a receiving software application, such as an app executing on a player's mobile device, indicating that the disc has landed in a basket or at a determined distance or proximity to it.
Other aspects, embodiments, and features of the disclosed principles will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures. In the figures, each identical, or substantially similar component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a single numeral or notation. For purposes of clarity, not every component is labeled in every figure. Nor is every component of each embodiment of a system, apparatus, or method in accordance with the disclosed principles shown where illustration is not necessary to allow those of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosed principles.
The novel features believed characteristic of the disclosed principles are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosed principles itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein:
Disc golf baskets are used as targets in disc golf matches. The baskets have a deflection assembly to direct discs into an open-topped basket-most commonly in the form of a chain assembly. U.S. Pat. No. 4,039,189, incorporated herein by reference, demonstrates how a chain assembly effectively causes a disc to drop into a disc-receiving basket below. The PDGA-designated standard basket design for tournament play lacks any electronic components capable of detecting discs. Furthermore, the importance of the mass of the discs themselves hinders the adoption of electronic components affixed to the discs. A standard disc used for disc golf has a mass of about 150 g to 170 g. Disc golf players are particular about the weight and feel of discs as these traits can greatly affect the disc's flight performance. A solution to detecting discs therefore must reduce the interference that a player experiences during a match. There exists a need to automatically determine when a disc lands in a basket and to automate scoring for disc golf players.
It should also be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. References to a composition containing “a” constituent is intended to include other constituents in addition to the one named. Also, in describing the preferred embodiments, terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. It is intended that each term contemplates its broadest meaning as understood by those skilled in the art and includes all technical equivalents, which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.
Also, the use of terms herein such as “having,” “has,” “including,” or “includes” are open-ended and are intended to have the same meaning as terms such as “comprising” or “comprises” and not preclude the presence of other structure, material, or acts. Similarly, though the use of terms such as “can” or “may” is intended to be open-ended and to reflect that structure, material, or acts are not necessary, the failure to use such terms is not intended to reflect that structure, material, or acts are essential. To the extent that structure, material, or acts are presently considered to be essential, they are identified as such.
It is also to be understood that the mention of one or more method steps does not preclude the presence of additional method steps or intervening method steps between those steps expressly identified. Moreover, although the term “step” may be used herein to connote different aspects of methods employed, the term should not be interpreted as implying any particular order, among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly required.
The disc-detecting device 200 is configured to mount on the disc golf basket 100 to detect when a player successfully lands a disc 150 inside of the open-topped basket 110. In some embodiments, the disc-detecting device 200 is configured to mount on one or more portions of the post 104, even above the annular bracket 106 or within the hanging chains of the chain assembly 108. In at least one embodiment, the disc-detecting device 200 is configured to mount below the annular open-topped basket 110, as illustrated.
In one version, the disc-detecting device 200 detects if a disc 150 has landed in the annular open-topped basket 110 via an attached tracker 160 fixed to the disc 150. A sensor 302 (as shown in
In some embodiments, the disc golf basket 100 can include a roof 112 fixed above the annular bracket 106. The roof 112 can be configured to direct precipitation away from the disc-detecting device 200 beneath it. In at least one embodiment, the roof 112 includes one or more solar panels 114 configured to provide power to the disc-detecting device 200.
The mounting bore 308 can be located at the center of the disc-detecting device 200. A centrally positioned mounting bore 308 allows for the post 104 to evenly distribute the weight of the disc-detecting device 200, improving stability and aesthetics. In other embodiments, the device 200 may be mounted off-center or adjacent to the pole 104, such as in embodiments where an existing basket 100 is being retrofitted with an apparatus or device as disclosed herein. The mounting bore 308 can include a variety of securing mechanisms to secure the disc-detecting device 200 to the post 104, such as threads, clasps, camps, straps, snaps, magnets, interlocking teeth, rod-and-pin, or other attachment mechanisms. In other embodiments, the disc-detecting device 200 can include straps, hooks, loops, clamps, or some other hanging mechanism to hang the disc-detecting device 200 from the open-topped basket 110 of the disc golf basket 100.
In at least one embodiment, the mounting bore 308 can be configured to slide over upward-facing threads 205 of the post 104 and hang on the top face of the post 104. Once hanging on the post 104, a user can attach an open-topped basket 110 and upper post section 104 (as shown in
As shown in
The at least one processor 300 is configured to operatively connect to the at least one sensor 302, transmitter 304, and power source 306. The processor 300 can be configured to execute instructions to determine that a disc 150 has landed in close proximity based on a signal received from the sensor 302. In some versions, the processor 300 can determine that a goal has been scored based upon a signal received from the sensor 302. The detection of the proximity of a disc or that a disc has landed in the basket 110 may be provided by the sensor 302 using any of a number of different techniques. These may include receiving one or more signals from the tracker 160 on the disc 150.
The processor 300 can include microcontrollers, such as a single-board microcontroller, or other processors. Once the proximity of a disc or that a disc has landed in the basket 110 is detected, the processor 300 is further configured to execute instructions to transmit a message to a software application executing on a mobile device (409 as shown in
The disc-detecting device 200 can be configured to determine whether a disc 150 has landed in the open-topped basket 110 by employing various sensors. The at least one sensor 302 can include radio frequency (RF), Bluetooth, infrared (IR), Wi-Fi, or other wireless receivers, and magnetic field, motion, optical, or other sensors. The sensor 302 transmits a signal to the processor 300 when the sensor 302 detects that the disc 150 has landed in the open-topped basket 110. For example, the disc-detection device 200 can include at least one sensor 302 that is configured to detect vibrations in the disc golf basket 100 or the air. In other embodiments, a motion or other presence-detecting sensor(s) may be employed to determine that a disc 150 is present in the basket 110. In yet other embodiments, a combination of two or more such sensors may be employed to detect the presence of a disc 150 in the basket 110. In embodiments using one or more vibration sensors, the processor 300 receives one or more signals representing the detected vibrations from the sensor 302 and determines whether the vibrations are within a certain range of intensity as a disc 150 landing within the open-topped basket 110. If so, the processor 300 transmits a message to the mobile device 409. The message can indicate the presence of the disc 150 detected by the disc-detecting device 200. In some embodiments, the disc-detecting device 200 contains an RFID reader 302 configured to detect an RFID tag 160 (as shown in
In some versions, the at least one sensor 302 is configured to only detect corresponding RFID tags 160 within the distance between the suspended disc-detecting device 200 and the ground beneath the disc golf basket 100. In at least one version, the range of the sensor 302 is approximately 12 to 20 inches. In these versions, any discs 150 that land within the open-topped basket 110 will be detected while discs 150 that land on the ground next to the basket 100 will not be detected. As long as the range of the sensor 302 is less than the distance between the suspended disc-detecting device 200 and the ground beneath, the risk of false positive disc detection is reduced or eliminated.
In other versions, the disc-detection device 200 can include a RFID reader 304 that is configured to determine the signal strength of detected RFID tags 160. Here, the processor 300 determines if a detected signal strength from an RFID tag 160 is above a pre-configured threshold. If the signal strength is strong enough, the processor 300 considers the disc 150 to have landed in the open-topped basket 110.
The at least one transmitter 304 can be an RF, Bluetooth, IR, magnetic, Wi-Fi, or some other wireless transmitter. The transmitter 304 is configured to communicate with a mobile device 409 directly or via a network (410 as shown in
The at least one power source 306 ensures continuous and reliable operation of an apparatus or system as disclosed herein. The at least one power source 306 can include at least one battery, solar panel, electrical outlet, kinetic energy harvester, or some other power source, or some combination thereof. In embodiments where the power source 306 is a battery or multiple batteries, the battery(ies) may be a built-in rechargeable battery(ies). Such battery(ies) can be easily charged using a standard power adapter or via a USB connection, or the solar panels 114 discussed above. The solar panels 114 harness solar energy and converts it into electrical power. This ensures sustainable operation and reduces reliance on external power sources. In embodiments where the power source 306 is an electrical outlet, the electrical outlet allows the disc-detecting device 200 to draw power directly from the grid through an AC adapter, ensuring continuous functionality without the need for battery replacement or recharging. In embodiments where the power source 306 is a kinetic energy harvesting mechanism, the kinetic energy harvesting mechanism captures and converts the mechanical energy generated by the movement of the open-topped disc basket 110, chain assembly 108, or other portion of the disc golf basket 100 into electrical power.
The disc-detecting devices 200 of the first and second baskets 100 and 102 each include at least one sensor 302, transmitter 304, and power source 306 linked to at least one processor 300. The at least one processor 300 of a disc-detecting device 200 can send and receive information to and from the network 410. From the network 410, one or more processing servers 419 can receive and store the information sent from the at least one processor 300. Additionally, the one or more processing servers 419 may transmit information to the devices 200 (via the network 410 and a receiver or transceiver in the devices 200), such as updates or other information assisting the functioning of the devices 200. In at least one example, the at least one processor 300 can send and receive information to the network 410 with the transmitter 304 via a mobile device 409 connection. In some embodiments, the mobile device 409 connection is made using Bluetooth, but any type of wireless connection technology may be employed as well.
The at least one sensor 302 detects an attached tracker 160 of a disc 150 that has landed in an open-topped basket 110 of any disc golf basket (100, 102) with a disc-detecting device 200. The sensor 302 sends a signal to the processor 300 which determines whether a disc 150 has landed in the open-topped basket 110. The processor 300 then transmits a message to a mobile device 409 via the transmitter 304 to indicate a score. Additionally, the devices 200, again via one or more sensors 302, which may or may not be the same sensor(s) 302 used to detect that a disc 150 has come to rest in a basket 110, may also be configured to determine a presence of one or more discs 150 (each with its own unique tracker 160 or other identifier) from respective devices 200. Such functionality of determining the presence of the disc 150 in proximity to a disc golf basket 100, 102 can be used to provide additional data or information, such as assisting players in finding lost discs by narrowing the field of searching when a throw goes awry. Of course, other advantages may also be enjoyed with these disclosed capabilities.
The mobile device 409 is a computing device that can run a mobile application that keeps track of the score of a disc golf game, as well as capable of receiving and transmitting, via the mobile device 409, other information from a basket device 200 or overall system in accordance with the disclosed principles. The mobile application is configured to connect to a disc-detecting device 200 to automatically track scoring updates. In one embodiment, the disc-detecting device 200 sends a scoring update message to the mobile device 409 application automatically whenever the disc-detecting device 200 detects that a disc 150 has landed in the open-topped basket 110. In some embodiments, the device 200 may send proximity information of a particular disc 150 to either just the player whose disc 150 it is, or in some embodiments to multiple receivers that can include officials monitoring a disc golf match, or anyone or any device capable of using the information provided by the devices 200. In at least one embodiment, the mobile device 409 receives such information and messages via Bluetooth, but other wireless or near-field communications technologies may also be employed.
In some versions, the mobile device 409 receives at least one unique tracker 160 identification code as part of the scoring update message or other received data/information. The mobile application can be configured to assign a player identification name to the received unique tracker identification code to represent a particular player's score in the game or the proximity information of the player's disc 150. If multiple players each have a unique tracker identification code, then the mobile application can automatically track the score of each player concurrently. In other embodiments, each player's or user's mobile application may only be configured to receive and process (and display related information) messages or signals of only a particular player.
The mobile application provides various methods to track the scores during a disc golf game as well as historical data and analytics. The mobile application can display a simple scoreboard, which shows the total score for each player or team, or it can display multiple scoreboards covering multiple competitions, or even simply the single score of a single player. It can update the score in real-time as the disc-detecting device 200 detects that goals are successfully made or proximity information is detected, allowing users to monitor the score and other information throughout a game, round, or tournament. The score can include the number of throws made to land a disc 150 in a particular disc golf basket 100, as well as the number of throws over or under a par value for that basket 100 or the overall round or an entire tournament. Users can view the total points scored by each player across multiple rounds, as well as the score for an individual round. The mobile application also stores and analyzes historical scoring and proximity/presence data. Users can access past game scores, player performance statistics, and shot/putting patterns. The application can generate graphs, charts, and other visual representations to provide insights into the game and player performance. The mobile application can also be configured to store the game and historical data listed above on the one or more processing servers 419 as well.
The number and arrangement of devices and networks shown in
Bus 560 includes a component that permits communication among the components of the device 500. Processor 502 is implemented in hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. The processor 502 is a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an accelerated processing unit (APU), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or another type of processing component. In some embodiments, the processor 502 includes one or more processors capable to perform a function. Memory 562 includes a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and/or another type of dynamic or static storage device (e.g., a flash memory, a magnetic memory, and/or an optical memory) that stores information and/or instructions for use by processor 502.
Storage component 564 stores information and/or software related to the operation and use of the device. For example, storage component 564 may include a hard disk (e.g., a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optic disk, and/or a solid-state disk), a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a floppy disk, a cartridge, a magnetic tape, and/or another type of non-transitory computer-readable medium, along with a corresponding drive.
Input component 566 includes a component that permits the device 500 to receive information, such as via user input (e.g., a touch screen display, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a button, a switch, and/or a microphone). Additionally, or alternatively, input component 566 may include a sensor for sensing information (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) component, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and/or an actuator). Output component 568 includes a component that provides output information from device 500 (e.g., a display, a speaker, and/or one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs)).
Communication interface 569 includes a transceiver-like component (e.g., a transceiver and/or a separate receiver and transmitter) that enables device 500 to communicate with other devices, such as via a wired connection, a wireless connection, or a combination of wired and wireless connections. Communication interface 569 may permit device 500 to receive information from another device and/or provide information to another device. For example, communication interface 569 may include an Ethernet interface, an optical interface, a coaxial interface, an infrared interface, a radio frequency (RF) interface, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a Wi-Fi interface, a cellular network interface, or the like.
Device 500 may perform one or more processes described herein. Device 500 may perform these processes based on the processor 502 executing software instructions stored by a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as memory 562 and/or storage component 564. A computer-readable medium is defined herein as a non-transitory memory device. A memory device includes memory space within a single physical storage device or memory space spread across multiple physical storage devices.
Software instructions may be read into memory 562 and/or storage component 564 from another computer-readable medium or from another device via communication interface 569. When executed, software instructions stored in memory 562 and/or storage component 564 may cause processor 502 to perform one or more processes described herein. Additionally, or alternatively, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to perform one or more processes described herein. Thus, implementations described herein are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.
The number and arrangement of components shown in
In
During operation, a disc 150 with an embedded RFID tag 160 is thrown between the first pair 680 and the second pair 690 of devices. As the disc 150 passes through the first pair 680, an RFID transmitter 680a transmits a signal to the embedded RFID tag 160. The RFID tag 160 responds with reception signals to an RFID reader 680b. The RFID reader 680b then detects the reception signals. Next, the disc 150 passes between the second pair 690 of devices. As the disc passes through the second pair 690, an RFID transmitter 690a transmits a signal to the embedded RFID tag 160. The RFID tag 160 responds with reception signals to an RFID reader 690b. The RFID reader 690b then detects the reception signals.
The first pair 680 and the second pair 690 of devices are in communication with each other, such as via the Network 410 in
The configuration of at least two pairs 680, 690 of devices as shown in
If the embedded RFID tag 160 is an active tag, then the configuration of
In
During operation, a disc 150 containing an embedded RFID tag 160 passes next to the two poles. Similar to the first embodiment, the first device 680 transmits signals to the RFID tag 160 as the disc 150 passes through the area between the two poles. The RFID tag receives these signals and responds with reception signals to at least the second device 690.
In one embodiment, the first device 680 is an RFID transmitter and the second device 690 is an RFID reader. The RFID transmitter continually transmits a signal that is detected by the RFID tag 160. The RFID tag 160 then continuously sends out reception signals at a known frequency while within the range of the signal from the RFID transmitter. The RFID reader receives the reception signals from the RFID tag 160 and detects the frequency of the received reception signal. As the disc 150 passes by the second device 690, the frequency of the reception signal changes because of the Doppler shift effect.
Subsequently, the speed of the disc 150 v can be calculated by the following equation:
where fs is the frequency of the reception signal sent from the RFID tag 160, fr is the frequency received by the RFID reader 690, and c is the speed of the signal sent through the atmosphere (e.g., the speed of light). This approach does not account for the angle θ of the disc 150 to the RFID reader 690, so the calculated speed v is only an approximation. However, if the disc 150 is at an angle θ of less than approximately 26°, for example, at the time that it sends the reception signal to the second device 690, the calculated speed will be within at least 90% of the actual airspeed. To reduce the angle θ, the poles 604 should be placed parallel to the projected flight path of the disc 150.
In a separate embodiment, both the first device 680 and the second device 690 comprise an RFID transceiver. Each device 680, 690 transmits a signal to the RFID tag 160 and receives a reception signal from it. Each device records the timing when it receives the reception signal. The speed of the disc 150 is calculated by dividing the distance L by the difference in the timing of the received reception signals. In effect, this approach combines the devices 680, 690 of each pair in
In
If the devices 680a and 680b collectively comprise an RFID transmitter and reader, then the system can calculate the airspeed of a disc 150 using the technique of the first embodiment of
In an alternative embodiment, each device 680a and 680b comprises an RFID transceiver that each sends to and receives signals from the RFID tag 160, similar to the second embodiment in
The distance h between the two devices can be used to approximate the height of the disc 150 as it passes by the pole 604. For example, if the difference in timing recorded by device 680b is less than the difference in timing recorded by device 680a, then the disc 150 was at least beneath the halfway point of distance h between the devices 680a, 680b. This approximate determination of the disc's 150 height can be sent along with the approximate airspeed to a mobile application as described in
The advantage of this embodiment is the convenience of using two readers on a single pole 604, along with the ability to approximate the height of the disc 150 as it passes by the pole 604, at the cost of perhaps a less precise disc 150 airspeed measurement.
Although embodiments of the disclosed principles have been described with reference to several elements, any element described in the embodiments described herein are exemplary and can be omitted, substituted, added, combined, or rearranged as applicable to form new embodiments. A skilled person, upon reading the present specification, would recognize that such additional embodiments are effectively disclosed herein. Additionally, where an embodiment is described herein as comprising some element or group of elements, additional embodiments can consist essentially of or consist of the element or group of elements. Also, although the open-ended term “comprises” is generally used herein, additional embodiments can be formed by substituting the terms “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of.”
While this disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed principles. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend the disclosed principles to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this disclosed principles includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosed principles unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
