SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING USER-SPECIFIC INFORMATION TO A GOLFER

Description

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure is directed to systems, devices and methods useful with the sport of golf. More particularly, it relates to systems, devices and methods for generating and providing user-specific information to a golfer.

Unlike sports such as baseball, tennis, soccer, and football, the sport of golf does not use a standardized playing area. Accordingly, the player's ability to cope with the varied terrains encountered on different golf courses is an important part of game strategy. Tools at a player's disposal include golf course maps, laser rangefinders and GPS devices for making measurements while on the golf course. A golf course typically consists of either 9 or 18 holes with each hole having a cup surrounded by a putting green. A flagstick or “pin” is received in the cup, making the location of the cup visible from a distance. Each hole also includes a teeing region or “tee box” that is set off with two markers showing the bounds of the legal tee area. A fairway extends between the tee box and the cup.

A variety of obstacles and hazards are typically placed between the tee box and the pin. These obstacles and hazards may include sand bunkers, trees, ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, shoreline, creeks, un-grassed areas, and natural vegetation, which are typically located on the sides of the fairway but may be placed in the fairway. Generally, the fairway is far from perfectly flat and may have significant undulations and changes in elevation, sometimes the elevation differential between the golf ball striking location and the landing spot, such as the green, can be significant. Golfers strive to shoot low golf scores, that is, going from tee to cup in a minimal number of strokes. In this regard, a golfer will have a set of different clubs to choose from for any one particular shot. Each club is generally formatted to produce a different flight path (e.g., distance, loft, etc.) when used to strike a golf ball.

Within recent decades, laser rangefinders were introduced into the game of golf. Laser rangefinders provide highly accurate measurements to pins, hazards and intermediate landing spots. Distances are graphically displayed in the viewfinder of the rangefinder. Initially, laser rangefinders were utilized solely for measuring actual laser ranged distances, for example to a flagstick or a hazard. For example, in addition to displaying measured/ranged distances (e.g., line of sight distance), also displaying “play as” distances where the measured distance is adjusted compensate for such things as changes in elevation, wind, altitude, and temperature. These rangefinders utilize internal algorithms and processors to make the calculations and suitable adjustments.

Apart from laser rangefinders, GPS devices are utilized for providing distance assistance to aid golfers. Such devices store golf course layouts and with the GPS devices establishing a location of the rangefinder and with the course layout stored in the GPS device, the device can calculate the distances to the middle, front, and rear of the green on the current hole. Laser ranging can be supplemented with location information provided by GPS. For example, combining a laser rangefinder with the GPS can give a distance to the flag stick and then can add the GPS calculated distances to the front and rear of the green. Such laser rangefinders are known.

Accomplished golfers consider many variables on each shot, especially shots to the green, and to the extent data and information is available through electronic equipment, such data and information are welcome. Such information and data can be employed by golfers to select a particular club for a particular shot, where to hit the ball, and even how to hit the ball. However, in making these decisions, the user is limited by personal, highly subjective recollections or estimations as to the typical ball flight characteristics or flight path (e.g., carry distance, direction, etc.) she or he normally achieves with each club. Moreover, while available laser rangefinders and similar electronic devices can calculate some adjustments to a measured distance (e.g., the “play as” distance mentioned above), these determinations are based solely upon the environment of a particular shot (primarily slope and air pressure) and do not account for the ball flight path characteristics personal to a particular golfer.

Given their wide popularity, any improvements to available user-specific golf information system, devices, and methods.

SUMMARY

The inventors of the present disclosure have recognized a need to address one or more of the above-mentioned problems.

Some aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a method including obtaining ball flight data associated with at least one golf ball struck by a user. A user data set is generated based upon the ball flight data. Prior to the user attempting to advance a golf ball relative to a target on a golf course, a line of sight distance from a current position of the user and the target is determined. One or more conditions that may affect advancement of the golf ball from the current position relative to the target are measured. User-specific shot information is generated from the user data set based upon the determined line of sight distance and the measured one or more conditions. The user-specific shot information is displayed to the user. In some embodiments, a launch monitor obtains the ball flight data, for example as part of a monitoring session in which the user is prompted to strike two or more golf balls with each of two or more golf clubs. In some embodiments, the user data set is based upon simulations performed on the ball flight data by a flight engine of a golf simulator. In some embodiments, the user data set is delivered to a rangefinder that operates to generate and display the user-specific shot information as one or both of a user-specific, adjusted current distance and a club recommendation. In some embodiments, shot dispersion information is determined from the ball flight data. With these and related embodiments, in some examples the shot dispersion information and the user data set are delivered to a mobile electronic device that operates to display at least a portion of the shot dispersion information to the user.

Other aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a system for providing information to a user prior to attempting to advance a golf ball relative to a target on a golf course. The system includes a launch monitor, a server, and a rangefinder. The launch monitor is configured to obtain ball flight data associated with at least one golf ball struck by the user. The server is configured to generate a user data set based upon the ball fight data. The rangefinder is configured to determine a line of sight distance from a current position of the user and the target; measure one or more conditions that may affect advancement of the golf ball from the current position relative to the target; generate user-specific shot information from the user data set based upon the determined line of site distance and the measured one or more conditions; and display the user-specific shot information to the user. Ball flight data obtained by the launch monitor is transferred to the server. The rangefinder wirelessly receives the user data set from the server on one of a direct and indirect basis. In some embodiments, the system further includes a mobile electronic device operating a software application programmed to upload the user data set from the server and transfer the user data set to the rangefinder. With these and related embodiments, the server can be configured to generate shot dispersion information based upon the ball flight data; the mobile electronic device can further be configured to display at least a portion of the shot dispersion information to the user, for example as user-specific, current elevation shot dispersions for two or more golf clubs overlaid to representation of a golf hole currently being played by the user.

Other aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a rangefinder. The rangefinder includes a range sensor, an angle sensor, at least one elevation-related sensor, a display assembly, a processor, and a non-transitory computer readable medium storing one or more instruction sets. The instructions are configured to be executed by the processor to cause the rangefinder to range a line of sight distance to a target; apply the ranged line of sight distance to a user data set stored in a memory of the rangefinder to determine user-specific shot information; and cause the display assembly to present at least a portion of the user-specific shot information. In some examples, the user data set is based upon ball flight data obtained by a launch monitor. In related examples, simulations of the ball flight data are provided by a flight engine and the user data set is based upon the simulations. In some examples, the displayed user-specific shot information includes one or both of a user-specific, adjusted current distance and a club recommendation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for providing user-specific information to a golfer in accordance with principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating portions of a launch monitor useful with the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating portions of a remote server useful with the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example user data set in accordance with principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example user data set in accordance with principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating portions of a rangefinder useful with the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating portions of a laser rangefinder useful with the system of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are stylized depictions showing example rangefinder displays in accordance with principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating portions of a mobile electronic device useful with the system of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 10-12 are example display screens presented on a display of a mobile electronic device in accordance with an app executed by a processor of the mobile electronic device according to various embodiments;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example method in accordance with principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example method in accordance with principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example method in accordance with principles of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example method in accordance with principles of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some aspects of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods that provide user-specific information to a golfer, as well as electronic device(s) (e.g., rangefinder, mobile electronic device operating a software application, etc.) as part of the systems. The user-specific information can take various forms and can relate to, or implicate, a particular shot or ball strike the golfer is preparing to attempt (i.e., a golfer preparing to advance a ball relative to a particular target on a golf course). For example, the user-specific information can include one or more suggested or recommend clubs for the particular shot, an adjusted (or “play as”) distance from an approximate location of the ball relative to the target, etc. In other example, user-specific information can include a representation of expected shot dispersions relative to one or more clubs available to the golfer. Regardless, the user-specific information is based upon, or accounts for, previously-determined ball flight characteristics personal to the golfer (as well as other determined or sensed information such as slope, elevation, etc., as described below).

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 20 for providing user-specific information to a golfer in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The system 20 includes a launch monitor 30, a remote server 32, and a rangefinder 34. In some embodiments, the systems of the present disclosure, such as the system 20, optionally include a mobile electronic device 36 operating a personalized data software application 38. Details on the various components and their operation in performing aspects of various methods of the present disclosure are described below. In general terms, the launch monitor 30 is operated to obtain ball flight data for, or specific to, a particular user. The obtained ball flight data for the user is transmitted to the remote server 32. The remote server 32 is programmed to generate a user data set and optional shot dispersion information for the user based upon the ball flight data. The user data set is transmitted to the rangefinder 34 (directly from the remote server 32 or indirectly via the optional mobile electronic device 36). The user can then utilize the rangefinder 34 as desired, for example when preparing to advance a golf ball on a golf course relative to a selected target (e.g., flag or other item/point of interest on a golf course). The rangefinder 34 is programmed to generate user-specific shot information from the user data set and display the so-generated user-specific shot information to the user. Additionally or alternatively, the user data set and/or the shot dispersion for the user can be transmitted to the mobile electronic device 36. With these and related embodiments, the mobile electronic device 36 is programmed (e.g., operating the personalized data software application 38) to generate and display user-specific shot information to the user based upon the received shot dispersion information and/or user data set (e.g., representation of carry distance and/or shot dispersions for various golf clubs of the user under current conditions).

Launch Monitor

The launch monitor 30 can assume various forms, and is generally configured to measure ball flight data of a golf ball as struck by a golfer. For example, the launch monitor 30 can measure the initial conditions of the ball strike, and can measure or determine various golf ball flight parameters or data (e.g., launch angle, ball speed, ball direction or dispersion, carry distance, total distance, trajectory, etc.). Regardless of the exact techniques or technologies employed and with additional reference to FIG. 2, the launch monitor 30 includes at least one processor 50 coupled to one or more memories 52 and at least one flight-related sensor 54 formatted to monitor or capture measurements of a struck golf ball. In some embodiments, the launch monitor 30 utilizes optical or camera-based technology to capture measurements of a struck golf ball such that the at least one flight-related sensor 54 is a camera or similar optical-type sensor. In other examples, the launch monitor 30 utilizes radar technology (such as Doppler radar) to capture measurements of a struck golf ball such that the at least one flight-related sensor 54 is a radar-type sensor (e.g., Doppler radar). The launch monitors of the present disclosure can optionally further include swing-related sensors. Regardless, the processor(s) 50 receives data or information from the at least one flight-related sensor 54 and is adapted (e.g., by executing program code stored as software or firmware in the memory 52) to measure or determine golf ball flight parameters of interest based upon the received data. The launch monitor 30 can optionally include other hardware components that interface with and/or are operable by the processor 50, such as swing-related sensor(s) 56 (operable to capture or track measurements of a golf club being used by the golfer to strike the golf ball), environmental sensor(s) 58 (e.g., barometer to measure altitude information), a communication interface 60, a display device 62, an input device 64, other sensors, etc.

In more general terms, the processor(s) 50 can be one or more of a microprocessor, a microcontroller, an embedded microprocessor, an embedded controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), etc., configured to execute program codes stored in the memory 52 (e.g., registers, cache, random-access memory, read-only memory, EEPROM, flash memory, USB drives, or the like or combinations thereof). The processor(s) 50 can further cooperate with the memory 52 to store data. The processor(s) 50 can be any type as employed with a variety of computing devices (e.g., personal computer (PC), laptop computer, smartphone, server computer, or another computing device).

The program code operated by the processor(s) 50, as well as the type(s) and number of the flight-related sensor(s) 54, can incorporate or utilize a wide variety of techniques and algorithms to monitor and analyze (e.g., calculate) golf ball flight data or information of interest (e.g., ball speed, ball direction, back spin, side spin, tilt axis, projected carry distance, horizontal launch angle, vertical launch angle, etc.) based upon extracted data from the flight-related sensor(s) 54 and other, optional data sources or sensors (not shown) as employed with launch monitors currently available or developed in the future.

For example, with optional embodiments in which the launch monitor 30 is optical or camera-based, the processor(s) 50 can be configured (e.g., via the program code) to review captured images and perform several calculations which include detecting the placement of the golf ball (as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,641,565 and 7,497,780 the entire teachings of each of which are incorporated herein by reference), calculating the flight parameters (as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,324,664 and U.S. Application Publication No. 2018/0133578 the entire teachings of each of which are incorporated herein by reference), aligning the device relative to earth tangential (as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,292,711 the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference), calculating the position of the golf club during impact (as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,951,138 the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference), etc.

With these and similar embodiments in which the launch monitor 30 is camera-based, the launch monitors of the present disclosure can be, or can be akin to, launch monitors available from Foresight Sports of San Diego, CA. In some non-limiting embodiments, the launch monitors of the present disclosure can utilize the monitoring and analyzing technologies provided with launch monitor available from Foresight Sports under one or more of the trade designations GCQuad®, QuadMAX™, GC3®, GCHawk®, and Falcon™ and/or from Bushnell Golf under the trade designations Launch Pro™ and Launch Pro Indoor™. As a point of reference, the Foresight Sports launch monitors use two or more high-speed/high-resolution cameras to capture hundreds of images of a golf ball within the first few moments of its flight. The cameras are positioned from different perspectives to create a 3D image of the ball's movement. Camera-based launch monitors typically take multiple images of the ball, usually from a position slightly in front and opposite the golfer, or from above the golfer, at address. The cameras are calibrated and the images are then compared to determine how the ball is moving after impact. Various Foresight Sports launch monitors use a combination of high-speed, high-resolution cameras to precisely measure ball launch club performance. Other camera-based launch monitor component configurations are equally acceptable.

In other embodiments, the launch monitor 30 can be radar-based or use radar technology as is known in the art, such as Doppler radar, to capture ball flight measurement data. Radar launch monitors may use multiple radar systems to measure the golf ball, the golf club, or a combination thereof. During use, radar launch monitors are typically placed behind the golf ball before the golf swing.

The communication interface 60 can include any hardware and/or software for connecting the processor(s) 50 in a communicating relationship with other electronic devices or resources external the launch monitor 30 via wired or wireless communication. This may include remote resources accessible through the Internet and/or local resources available using short range communication protocols using, e.g., physical connections (e.g., Ethernet), radio frequency communications (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®), optical communications (e.g., fiber optics, infrared, or the like), ultrasonic communications, or any combination thereof of these or other media that might be used to carry data between the processor(s) 50 and other devices. Optional hardware can include electronics for a wired or wireless Ethernet operating according to the IEEE 802.11 standard (or any variation thereof), or any other short or long range wireless networking components or the like. This may include hardware for short range data communications such as Bluetooth® or an infrared transreceiver, which may be used to couple to other local devices, or to connect to a local area network or the like that is in turn coupled to a data network such as the Internet. This may also include hardware/software for a WiMax connection of a cellular network connection (using, e.g., CDMA, GSM, LTE, or any other suitable protocol or combination of protocols). This may also include hardware/software for a USB or similar connection.

Regardless of an exact form, the launch monitor 30 is operable to measure, determine and/or calculate ball flight data for a struck golf ball. With some embodiments of the present disclosure, ball fight data, as derived by the launch monitor 30, for a number of golf balls struck by a particular user during of a monitoring session is obtained and saved in a ball flight database or other file structure 70. The ball flight database 70, as well as parameters or instructions for performing a particular ball flight monitoring session, can be generated or prepared by a monitoring session software expression 72 (e.g., software application). In some optional embodiments, and as generally reflected by FIG. 1, the monitoring session software expression 72 can be a monitoring session software application operating on an electronic device 74 that is paired to the launch monitor 30 (e.g., via the communication interface 60). The electronic device 74 can have any of the configurations described below with respect to the mobile electronic device 36 (e.g., a smart phone, laptop computer, tablet, etc., having a processor operating the monitoring session software application 72 and that is paired (wireless or wired) to the launch monitor 30 during the particular ball flight monitoring session). In some embodiments, the monitoring session software application 72 can be installed to the mobile electronic device 36 (e.g., both of the monitoring session software application 72 and the personalized data software application 38 operate on the same mobile electronic device 36 either as separate applications or as sub-applications of an integrated software suite) such that the separate or additional electronic device 74 can be omitted. Regardless, the ball flight database 70 can be initially created and stored in a memory of an electronic device (e.g., the mobile electronic device 36, the electronic device 74, etc.) apart from the launch monitor 30. In yet other embodiments, the monitoring session software application 72 can be operated by the processor(s) 50 of the launch monitor 30 (e.g., via program code in the memory 52), with the ball flight database 70 being stored in the memory 52 of the launch monitor 30. With this in mind, while FIGS. 1 and 2 generally reflect the ball flight database 70 and the monitoring session software expression 72 as being generated or residing outside of the launch monitor 30, in other embodiments the ball flight database 70 can be generated and saved in the memory 52 of the launch monitor 30.

For reasons made clear below, in some ball flight monitoring sessions or scenarios, the user will strike two or more golf balls in succession using the same golf club. The ball flight data obtained for each of these ball strikes (using the same golf club) are aggregated and saved in the ball flight database 70. In these, and other, ball flight monitoring session scenarios, the user will use two or more different golf clubs to strike one or more golf balls in succession with each of the golf clubs. The ball flight data obtained for each of these ball strikes are saved in the ball flight database 70 in a manner that pairs or matches ball flight data to a corresponding, particular golf club. Thus, for example, as part of a ball flight monitoring session, the user could have a number of different golf clubs available and could use each of the available clubs to strike two or more golf balls. Prior to each ball strike, the monitoring session software expression 72 is informed of the particular golf club being utilized and assigns a club designation to the subsequently obtained ball flight data for the struck golf ball corresponding with the particular golf club. The ball flight data for two or more golf balls struck using the same golf club are thus aggregated and saved under the same club designation, and the aggregated ball flight data for each of the different golf clubs used during the ball flight monitoring session are saved in the ball flight database or other file structure 70 in a manner that identifies each of the different club designations and corresponding aggregated ball flight data.

Moreover, the monitoring session software expression 72 is configured (e.g., via the program code) to assign an identifier to the so-generated database or other file structure 70 that is specific to the particular user as saved or stored. For example, as part of a ball flight monitoring session performed by a particular user, the processor(s) is informed or provided with identification information of the particular user (e.g., user name, previously-assigned identification or account name or number, etc.). Upon completion of the ball flight monitoring session, the ball flight database or other file structure 70 of ball flight data obtained for the session is saved in conjunction with an identifier specific to the particular user.

As a point of reference, some launch monitors of the present disclosure are capable of measuring or determining a plethora of different parameters or characteristics of a struck golf ball, and optionally various parameters or characteristics of the golf club swing path as it strikes the golf ball. Typically, after each ball strike, the determined parameters/characteristics are displayed or otherwise conveyed to the user (e.g., via the display device 62). In some embodiments, all ball flight parameters determined by the launch monitor (and optional golf club swing path parameters) associated with a particular monitoring session can be saved in the ball flight database 70. In other embodiments, a subset of all determined ball flight parameters (and, optionally, some or all of the determined golf club swing path parameters where available) are saved in the ball flight database 70. By way of non-limiting example, some launch monitors of the present disclosure are operable to measure or determine, and then display, ball speed, launch angle, ball direction, carry distance, side spin and back spin for each struck golf ball. The ball flight data as saved in the ball flight database 70 for a particular monitoring session using the so-configured launch monitor can optionally include all of these determined ball flight parameters for every ball strike of the monitoring session. Alternatively, the ball flight data as saved in the ball flight database 70 for a particular monitoring session using the so-configured launch monitor can instead be a sub-set of all available ball flight parameters or a characterization (or summary) of the ball flight parameters obtained during the monitoring session. Regardless of which of the plethora of ball flight parameter measurements or determinations that might be available with a particular launch monitor, in some non-limiting examples, the ball flight data as saved in the ball flight database 70 for a particular monitoring session includes least stock yardage or average carry distance normalized to sea level (e.g., the processor(s) 50 is programmed to reference data available from the barometer or other environmental sensor 58 provided with the launch monitor 30 to normalize to sea level) for each golf club used during the monitoring session, and shot dispersion information for each golf club used during the monitoring session.

Remote Server

Returning to FIG. 1, the remote server 32 is typically a cloud data storage resource accessed via the Internet. In some embodiments, the remote server 32 can be a networked data storage resource accessed via private communication infrastructure. With additional reference to FIG. 3, the remote server 32 can generally be any of a variety of computing devices (e.g., a server computer), and includes one or more processors or processing units 80 and a memory 82. The processor(s) 80 execute computer-executable instructions or program code stored in the memory 82. The processor 80 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. The memory 82 can assume various forms (e.g., registers, cache, random-access memory, read-only memory, EEPROM, flash memory, USB drives, or the like or combinations thereof) accessible by the processor(s) 80. The memory 82 stores software/program code implementing various operations, including one or more of the computer-implemented methods of the present disclosure, as well as other operating system software that provides an operating environment for other software executing in the remote server 32 and coordinating activities of the components of the remote server 32.

The remote server 32 further includes one or more communication connections 84 that enable communication over a communication medium to another computing device such as one or more of the launch monitor 30, the rangefinder 34, the mobile electronic device 36 and/or the optional; electronic device 74. Communication with the launch monitor 30 can be facilitated by one or more devices (e.g., modem, router, etc.) and via a wired link, a wireless link, or a combination of wired and wireless links.

As a point of reference, in the descriptions below, only certain aspects of the software-based implementations are provided. Other details that are well known in the art are omitted. It will be understood that the technology and methods of the present disclosure are not limited to any particular computer program or language. Moreover, any functionality described herein can be performed, at least in part, by at least one hardware logic component.

Ball flight data acquired by the launch monitor 30 is transmitted (e.g., uploaded), for example via the electronic device 74, to a dedicated location 90 in the memory 82 of the remote server 32 assigned to the corresponding user. The dedicated location 90 is allocated to store and aggregate various types of data acquired for the user, including ball flight data received from the launch monitor 30. For example, the ball flight database or other file structure 70 can be transmitted to the remote server 32 via the communication connections 84. As indicated above, the ball flight database or other file structure 70 can be formatted to include an identifier; the remote server processor 32 is programmed to recognize the identifier and assign the received ball flight database or other file structure 70 to the dedicated location 90 based upon the recognized identifier. In general, the remote server 32 is configured to store and aggregate information for number of users. For example, dedicated location 92 in the remote server memory 82 is allocated to store and aggregate various types of information for user U_N.

In some embodiments, the processor(s) 80 operates or implements a user characterization module 100 (or is otherwise programmed) to create a user data set 110 for a particular user based upon the ball flight database associated with that particular user. The user data set 110 can take various forms as described below, and in some embodiments provides a correlation between expected ball flight characteristics for the particular user at different elevations (e.g., different atmospheric pressures) and/or at different slopes (or angles of inclination relative to a target) for each golf club employed by the user during the launch monitor monitoring session/when generating the saved ball flight data.

In some examples, the user characterization module 100 is programmed to generate the user data set 110 as one or more tables (e.g., data tables) or similarly formatted data files that characterize or reflect expected ball flights of a golf ball struck by the user at one or more elevations and at two or more slopes for each golf club. The user data set 110 can be generated in various fashions. In some examples, the user data set is based upon or results from modeling of the ball flight data. For example, the remote server 32 can include a flight engine or module 120 programmed to process (e.g., mathematical models and algorithms) collected ball flight data and simulate or model expected ball flight. The flight engine 120 can be programmed to apply various principles of physics to calculate how the ball would travel through the air, considering factors such as gravity, drag and lift. In some examples, the flight engine 120 can be, or can be akin to, the simulation software or flight engine provided with the golf simulator of FSX Live™ or FSX 2020™ available from Foresight Sports. The flight engine 102 processes ball flight data from an individual shot to accurately simulate how that same shot would actually perform under different environmental and/or slope conditions. With these and other examples, the flight engine 120 is operated to model the collected ball flight data for a particular user at two or more different elevations and two or more different slope conditions, and the user characterization module 100 is operated to generate the user data set for the particular user as a representation or summary of the elevation and slope models in a format from which shot performance for the user at a number of different elevations and/or slopes can be determined.

One non-limiting example of a user data set of the present disclosure is shown at 130 in FIG. 4. The user data set 130 is for a particular user, generated from ball flight data (normalized to sea level) obtained for the user during a monitoring session in which the user employed one or more golf clubs to strike golf balls (denoted in the user data set 110 as Club 1, Club 2, . . . , Club N). The user data set 130 can include one or more elevation tables 140 and a slope table 142.

The elevation table(s) 140 provides at least an average carrying distance for each of the golf clubs at a designated elevation as determined from the simulations. For example, at Elevation X1, it was determined from the simulation(s) that a golf ball struck by the user with Club 2 would carry, on average, a distance of {C2, X1} (typically expressed in terms of yards). At Elevation X2, it was determined from the simulation(s) that a golf ball struck by the user with Club 2 would carry, on average, a distance of {C2, X2}. Additional distance-related information derived from the simulations can also be included with the elevation table(s) 140, such as maximum carry distance, minimum carry distance, etc.

The slope table 142 provides a slope adjustment factor for each of the golf clubs. The slope adjustment factor can be determined from the simulations, and characterizes the effect of an upward (positive slope) or downward (negative slope) gradient on a line of sight distance from a location to a target. By way of reference, where a golf shot is to be taken from a ball strike location to a target that are level with one another, the line of sight distance represents the expected distance the ball must travel to reach the target. However, the flight path of a struck golf ball includes a horizontal component and a vertical (or trajectory) component. Due at least to the trajectory component, when the target is elevated relative to the ball strike location (positive slope), the struck ball will land at a distance that is less than the line of sight distance (i.e., under positive slope conditions, the expected carrying distance of a struck golf ball will be less than that of level or no slope conditions). In other words, the effective distance between the ball strike location and target is greater than the line of sight distance. Conversely, when the target is below (or downhill) the ball strike location (negative slope), the struck ball will land at a distance that is greater than the line of sight distance (i.e., under negative slope conditions, the expected carrying distance of a struck golf ball will be greater than that of level or no slope conditions). Various techniques/equations are known for determining an effective distance (or slope-adjusted distance) from a ball strike location to a target based upon a determined line of sight distance and a determined slope (or angle of inclination). In some examples, simulations are run for each shot for each club at a 0 degree slope. This produces an average value. Simulations are then run for each shot for each club at positive and negative defined slopes. This produces an average carry at the positive slope and an average carry at the negative slope. With this in mind, in some embodiments, the slope adjustment factor provided for each of the golf clubs of the slope table 142 serves as an input variable to the effective distance equation(s)/calculation(s). In some embodiments, a positive slope adjustment factor and a negative slope adjustment factor can be determined from the simulations for each of the golf clubs. For example, the slope table 142 provides a slope adjustment factor of {C1, Y1} for Club 1 to be utilized under positive slope scenarios or conditions, and a slope adjustment factor of {C1, Y2} to be utilized under negative slope scenarios or conditions. While the slope table 142 implicates a single slope adjustment factor for each club/slope condition, in other embodiments the slope table 142 can provide two or more input variables for each club/slope condition.

As described in greater detail below, the user data set 130 can be implemented in various fashions to generate user-specific information of interest to a golfer in advance of a particular golf shot from a user location to a target. For example, at the time of the particular golf shot, a current elevation of the user can be applied to the elevation table(s) 140 to determine current carry distances for each of the golf clubs of the user (either as directly implicated by the elevation table 140 with data for an elevation that matches the current elevation, or by extrapolating current carrying distances from one or more of the elevation tables 140 with data for elevations above and/or below the current elevation). Further, a positive or negative current angle of inclination or slope of the user relative to an intended target can be applied to the slope table 142 to determine or select the slope adjustment factor for each of the golf clubs. Adjusted distance equation(s) (or other techniques) then utilize or apply the so-selected slope adjustment factor (along with, for example, a current slope value) to adjust or convert a line of sight distance from the user location to an adjusted distance from the ball strike location to the target. Because the data or information of the slope table 142 is based upon the ball flight data that is otherwise specific to a particular user (i.e., the user who performed the golf shots giving rise to the ball flight data), the so-determined adjusted distance can be considered a user-specific adjusted distance (as opposed to more a generic adjusted distance determination that considers only a current slope value or other non-user-specific parameter).

The user data sets of the present disclosure can assume a variety of other formats and can include addition data and/or functions. In some embodiments, the user data sets of the present disclosure can utilize the simulated ball flight data (simulating ball flight for each of the golf clubs at different elevations, a level slope, a positive slope, and a negative slope) as input data or values for various formulas incorporated into the user data set that in turn function to output user-specific information. For example, FIG. 5 illustrates portions of another user data set 150 in accordance with principles of the present disclosure, and represents possible input data relating to current shot conditions 160 and possible output information 162, 164, 166. The user data set 150 is generally configured to determine and output user-specific information 162, 164, 166 under the current shot conditions 160 based upon various simulated or modeled ball flight data (e.g., the simulated or modeled ball flight data of the user data set 130 of FIG. 2) generated from the obtained ball flight data. The current shot conditions 160 represent data or information relating to a current, intended golf shot by the user from a current location to an intended target, and can include the user's current elevation (“INPUT 1”), the current slope of the intended golf shot (“INPUT 2”), and the line of sight distance from the current location to the intended target (“INPUT 3”). The current shot condition data 160 can be determined and entered or inputted in various fashions as described below.

The user data set 150 incorporates formulas or functions to process the inputted data, with these formulas or functions utilizing the simulated or modeled ball flight data. For example, the user data set 150 can be formatted (e.g., algorithm(s) or formula(s) formatted to reference relevant values of the simulated or modeled ball flight data) to determine and output expected carry distance information (identified generally at 162) for each of the golf clubs at the current elevation. The carry distance information 162 can include the determined average carry distance for each of the clubs at the current elevation (e.g., the determined average carry distance for Club 1 is represented by “{C1, AA}”). Additionally, the user data set 150 can be formatted (e.g., algorithm(s) or formula(s)) to determine and output, as part of the carry distance information 162, a maximum carry distance and a minimum carry distance for each of the golf clubs of the user data set 150 at the current elevation, with the outputted values again being based upon the simulated or modeled ball flight data.

The user data set 150 can also function to process the inputted line of sight distance and current slope value to determine and output a user-specific adjusted distance 164 for the current, intended shot, for example by selecting and applying one or more of the slope adjustment factors to the inputted values as described above. As a point of reference, with embodiments in which a slope adjustment factor is independently determined for each of the golf clubs of the user data set 150 (e.g., the positive slope adjustment factor determined for a first club can be different from the positive slope adjustment factor determined for a second club), the user data set 150 can function (e.g., algorithm(s) or formula(s)) to determine the user-specific adjusted distance by considering or weighing the slope-adjusted average carrying distance (at the current elevation) for two (or more) of the golf clubs.

The user data set 150 can also function to process the inputted current elevation and the determined adjusted distance to select or determine one or more recommended clubs 166 to the user for the current, intended shot. For example, the user data set 150 can be formatted to compare the determined user-specific adjusted distance with at least the determined average carry distance for each of the golf clubs at the current elevation, and optionally with the determined maximum carry distance and minimum carry distance for each of the golf clubs of the user data set 150 at the current elevation (or other determined distance-related values). Based upon this comparison, the user data set 150 can be formatted (e.g., algorithm(s) or formula(s)) to identify the golf club of the user data set 150 with a determined average carry distance closest to the determined adjusted distance and output the so-identified golf club as a recommended club. In other embodiments, the user data set 150 can be formatted (e.g., algorithm(s) or formula(s)) to identify and output one or both of: the golf club of the user data set 150 with a determined average carry distance closest to, but greater than, the determined adjusted distance as the “Closest Long Club”; and/or the golf club of the user data set 150 with a determined average carry distance closest to, but less than, the determined adjusted distance as the “Closest Short Club”.

Returning to FIGS. 1 and 3, the user characterization module 100 can store the generated user data set 110 as a data file other file structure to the dedicated location 90 in a format that optionally includes the user identifier described above. In some examples, the user data set 110 can be saved as part of a user assessment database or other file structure 180 that further includes other golf club related data specific to the user. For example, the user characterization module 100 can be programmed to reference the ball flight database 70 (and/or information generated by the flight engine 120 based upon the ball flight database 70) and retrieve or determine shot dispersion information 190 for each of the golf clubs. As a point of reference, shot dispersion is in reference to the variation or spread of golf balls struck using the same club. Shot dispersion data will typically indicate horizontal deviations (how far shots deviate from a target line horizontally, left or right the target line), and vertical deviation (forward and backward deviations representing how far shots landed from a target in terms of distance). The shot dispersion information 190 can assume various forms, and in some embodiments can be represented by data points implicating the vertical (forward and backward) deviations and horizontal (left and right) deviations for each club. In other examples, the dispersion information 190 can be formatted as an equation for an ellipse that otherwise reflects the extent of the determined vertical and horizontal deviations relative to a center point (e.g., the length of the first axis of the ellipse equation can be the extent of vertical deviation and the length of the second axis of the ellipse equation can be the extent of horizontal deviation). In some examples, a minimum set of ball flight data for a particular club are averaged to create an average carry. Those shots are then modeled at various elevations and at various slopes to create additional average carry distances for that club at the specific slopes and elevations. This process is repeated for other clubs. The shot dispersion is based around an ellipse drawn around those specific shots for a given club at a given elevation.

Rangefinder

The rangefinder 34 can assume a wide variety of forms operable to measure a distance from the rangefinder 34 to a target. In general terms, and with reference between FIGS. 1 and 6, the rangefinder 34 includes a housing maintaining one or more processors 200 executing instructions stored in a memory 202, a range sensor 204, an angle sensor 206, elevation-related sensor(s) 208, a communication interface 210, and a display assembly 212.

The processor(s) 200 can be one or more of a microprocessor, a microcontroller, an embedded microprocessor, an embedded controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), etc., configured to execute program codes stored in the memory 202 (e.g., registers, cache, random-access memory, read-only memory, EEPROM, flash memory, USB drives, or the like or combinations thereof). The processor(s) 200 can further cooperate with the memory 202 to store data. The processor(s) 200 can be any type as employed with a variety of computing devices (e.g., personal computer (PC), laptop computer, smartphone, server computer, or another computing device).

The range sensor 204 can assume various forms (e.g., laser reflectometry, radar, GPS, sonar) appropriate for measuring or sensing information indicative of a line of sight distance between the rangefinder 34 and a target. The instructions executed by the processor(s) 200 can operate the range sensor 204 to measure a line of sight distance and cause the measured distance to be presented on the display assembly 212.

The angle sensor (e.g., inclinometer or tilt sensor) 206 is configured to measure one or environmental parameters indicative of an angle of elevation to the target or angle of the line of sight distance relative to a horizontal plane (the slope angle or tilt angle). The instructions executed by the processor(s) 200 can operate the angle sensor 206 to determine or calculate a slope or slope angle (typically as a positive or negative angle in degrees) of the measured line of sight distance to the target relative to horizontal.

The elevation-related sensor(s) 208 is configured to provide information or data implicating a current elevation of the rangefinder 34, such as a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor. The pressure sensor senses ambient air pressure and the temperature sensor senses ambient temperature. The instructions executed by the processor(s) 200 can determine or calculate a current elevation of the rangefinder 34 from the measured atmospheric pressure and the measured ambient temperature according to various algorithms or formulas as understood by one of ordinary skill, such as (but not limited to) a hypsometric formula. The elevation-related sensor(s) 208 can comprise other components and/or other techniques can be employed to determine or a calculate a current elevation of the rangefinder 34 that may or may not include an on-board pressure sensor and/or an on-board temperature sensor.

The communication interface 210 can include any hardware and/or software for connecting the processor(s) 200 in a communicating relationship with other electronic devices or resources external the rangefinder 34. This may include remote resources accessible through the Internet and/or local resources available using short range communication protocols using, e.g., physical connections (e.g., Ethernet), radio frequency communications (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®), optical communications (e.g., fiber optics, infrared, or the like), ultrasonic communications, or any combination thereof of these or other media that might be used to carry data between the processor(s) 200 and other devices. Optional hardware can include electronics for a wired or wireless Ethernet operating according to the IEEE 802.11 standard (or any variation thereof), or any other short or long range wireless networking components or the like. This may include hardware for short range data communications such as Bluetooth® or an infrared transreceiver, which may be used to couple to other local devices, or to connect to a local area network or the like that is in turn coupled to a data network such as the Internet. This may also include hardware/software for a WiMax connection of a cellular network connection (using, e.g., CDMA, GSM, LTE, or any other suitable protocol or combination of protocols).

Rangefinders of the present disclosure can include a number of additional programming instructions, features or components, such as a digital compass (for determining a current device direction), GPS receiver (for receiving GPS satellite information and determining a current location of the rangefinder based on the satellite information), wind velocity, magnitude and/or direction detection, speakers, various manual input actuators (e.g., push buttons, switches, etc.), displays in addition to the view-thru display assembly 216, input/output interface(s) (e.g., serial port, USB port, HDMI port, etc.), a digital signal processing system, a math co-processor, a graphics engine, a video driver, a camera, a microphone, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, etc.

In some embodiments, the rangefinder 34 can be a laser rangefinder. Non-limiting examples of laser rangefinder constructions are provided in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022/0026203 and U.S. Pat. No. 11,467,257, the entire teachings of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. Some components of a laser rangefinder 250 useful with embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in FIG. 7 and can include a housing supporting an objective optic 260, an eyepiece optic 262, and a view-thru display assembly 264. The view-thru display assembly 264 is located along an optical path 266 between the objective optic 260 and the eyepiece optic 262. With this arrangement, a scene or subject can be viewed through the eyepiece optic 262 and a plurality of number, letters, and/or icons can be selectively presented on the view thru-display assembly 264 and superimposed on the scene or subject being viewed. The view thru-display assembly 264 can comprise, for example, an LCD display and/or an OLED display.

The laser rangefinder 250 further includes a laser source 268 and related optics for emitting a laser beam along a laser beam axis toward a target, and an optical detector 270 (e.g., photodiode) that detects laser light reflected from the target. Control circuitry operably couples the view-thru display assembly 266, the laser source 268, and the optical detector 270 with one or more processors 272 executing instructions stored in a memory 274 to measure a flight time associated for light emitted by the laser source 268, reflected off of a target, and sensed by the optical detector 270. A measured line of sight distance can be calculated based on the determined flight time. The instructions executed by the one or more processors 272 can cause the measured distance to be presented on the view-thru display assembly 264 as will be understood by one of ordinary skill.

The laser rangefinder 250 can further include an angle sensor (e.g., inclinometer or tilt sensor) 280 configured to measure one or environmental parameters indicative of the angle of the laser beam emitted by the laser source 268 (i.e., the laser beam axis) relative to a horizontal plane (the slope angle or tilt angle). The instructions executed by the one or more processors 272 can determine or calculate a slope or slope angle (typically as a positive or negative angle in degrees) of the emitted laser beam (and thus of the measured line of sight distance to the target) relative to horizontal as is known in the art.

The laser rangefinder 250 can further include one or more elevation-related sensors (such as a pressure sensor 280 and a temperature sensor 282), with the instructions executed by the processor(s) 272 determining or calculating a current elevation of the laser rangefinder 250 from the measured atmospheric pressure and the measure ambient temperature as described above. Similarly, and as illustrated in FIG. 5, the laser rangefinder 250 can further include a communication interface 284 as described above.

In some embodiments, the laser rangefinders of the present disclosure can be, or can be akin to, laser rangefinders available from Bushnell Inc. under one or more of the trade designations Pro X3+™, Tour V6™, Tour V5™, etc. Other rangefinder configurations, now known or in the future developed, utilizing sonar, radar, GPS, or laser reflectometry are also acceptable.

Returning to FIGS. 1 and 6, regardless of the technology employed by the rangefinder 34 for measuring or detecting a line of sight distance from a user holding the rangefinder 34 to a target, the processor(s) 200 operates (or is programmed to provide the functions of) a user profile module 300. The user profile module 300 is configured to receive and store user-specific information, for example a received user data set (e.g., FIGS. 1 and 6 reflect the user data set 110, otherwise generated by the remote server 32, as having been delivered to, and saved by, the rangefinder 34) and facilitate various operations or functions based upon the stored user information. For example, the processor(s) 200 is programmed to generate user-specific shot information from the user data set 110 based upon a determined line of sight distance from a current position of the user and a selected target, and based upon one or more measured or determined current conditions that might otherwise affect advancement of the golf ball. The so-generated user-specific shot information can then be displayed to the user via the display assembly 212.

In some embodiments, the user data set 110 provides at least one elevation table identifying at least the user's average or stock carry distance for each of the user's golf clubs at a known elevation such as sea level (e.g., the elevation table(s) 140 of FIG. 4) and at least one slope table identifying the user's slope adjustment factor(s) or similar data for each of the user's golf clubs. (e.g., the slope table 142 of FIG. 4). With these and similar embodiments, at a point in time corresponding to the user prompting the rangefinder 34 to “range” a target from a current position (e.g., a point in time where the user is preparing to perform a golf shot from the current position toward the target), the processor(s) 200 operates the range sensor 204 to determine a current line of sight distance from the current position to the target, operates the angle sensor 206 to determine a current slope or slope angle of the current position relative to the target, and operates the elevation-related sensor(s) 208 to determine a current elevation of the current position.

With the determined current elevation now known, the processor(s) 200 operates to reference the user data set 110 (e.g., the elevation table(s) 140) and determine at least the user's average or stock carry distance for each of the user's golf clubs of the user data set 110 at the current elevation. With at least the determined current line of site distance and the current slope angle now known, the processor(s) 200 operates to reference the user data set 110 (e.g., the slope table 142) to determine a user-specific adjusted current distance from the current position to the target. For example, the processor(s) 200 can operate to select and apply a slope adjustment factor (or similar data) available in the user data set 110 with one or more effective or adjusted distance equations or formulas to convert or adjust the current line of site distance to a user-specific adjusted current distance. In this regard, in some examples, the processor(s) 200 operates to select one or more particular slope adjustment factors (or similar data) after first determining whether the current slope angle is positive or negative (e.g., with embodiments in which the user data set 110 independently provides slope-related ball flight data for a positive slope and a negative slope). Moreover, with embodiments in which the user data set 110 provide a unique or independent slope adjustment factor (or similar data) for each of the golf clubs of the user data set 110, the processor 200 can operate to determine the user-specific adjusted current distance by considering or weighing a current elevation, slope-adjusted average carry distance values for two (or more) of the golf clubs of the user data set 110.

With at least the user's current elevation average or stock carry distance for each of the golf clubs of the user data set 110 and the user-specific adjusted current distance now known, the processor(s) 200 can operate to select or determine one or more recommended golf clubs for a golf shot by the user from the current position to the target. For example, the processor(s) can operate to compare the user-specific adjusted current distance with at least the current elevation average carry distance for each of the golf clubs of the user data set 110, and optionally with current elevation maximum carry distance and current elevation minimum carry distance for each of the golf clubs of the user data set 110 (e.g., considering whether the current elevation maximum-minimum carry distance range for a particular club of the user data set 110 overlaps or encompasses the user-specific adjusted current distance) or other carry distance-related values. Based upon this comparison, the processor(s) 200 is programmed to identify the golf club of the user data set 110 with a determined current elevation average carry distance closest to the adjusted current distance and designate the so-identified golf club as a recommended club. In other embodiments, the processor(s) 200 is programmed to first determine whether or not the current elevation maximum-minimum carry distance range for a particular club of the user data set 110 overlaps the user-specific adjusted current distance; under circumstances where the carry distance range of a particular club of the user data set 110 does not overlap the user-specific adjusted current distance, that particular club will be eliminated from further consideration as the recommended golf club. In other embodiments, the processor(s) 200 can be programmed to identify and designate: the golf club of the user data set 110 with a current elevation average carry distance closest to, but greater than, the user-specific adjusted current distance (and optionally with a current elevation maximum-minimum carry distance range that overlaps the user-specific adjusted current distance) as a “closest long club”; and/or the golf club of the user data set 110 with a current elevation average carry distance closest to, but less than, the user-specific adjusted current distance (and optionally with a current elevation maximum-minimum carry distance range that overlaps the user-specific adjusted current distance) as the “closest short club”.

Commensurate with the above descriptions, in some examples the processor(s) 200 (e.g., via the user profile module 300) is programmed to retrieve data from the user data set 110 and perform various functions (e.g., execute instructions, formulas or algorithms stored in the memory 202) to determine one or more of the user's average or stock carry distance for each of the user's golf clubs of the user data set 110 at the current elevation, the adjusted current distance, and the club recommendation(s). In other embodiments, the user data set 110 as provided to the user profile module 300 incorporates or includes the requisite formulas or algorithms (e.g., the user data set 150 of FIG. 5). With these and related embodiments, the processor(s) 200 operates to input the measured or determined current line of site distance, current elevation, and current slope values into the user data set 110, with the user data set 110 then operating to determine and output the user's average or stock carry distance for each of the user's golf clubs of the user data set 110 at the current elevation, the user-specific adjusted current distance, and the club recommendation(s). In some non-limiting examples, the user-specific adjusted current distance (sometimes referred to as a “PlayAs” value) is determined from user data set 110 via formulas or algorithms that are based upon how distances for each of the user's golf clubs changes based on slope or angle. Based on this knowledge, the clubs that bound the current line of sight distance can be determined and translated back to a “normal” or 0 degree elevation to identify the user-specific adjusted current distance.

Regardless of how the user's average or stock carry distance for each of the user's golf clubs of the user data set 110 at the current elevation, the user-specific adjusted current distance, the club recommendation(s) (and, optionally, other information) are determined, some or all of the user-specific information can be displayed to the user in various fashions. FIG. 8A is a stylized depiction of a rangefinder display 330 in accordance with principles of the present disclosure, and can be generally akin to a view-thru display provided with a laser rangefinder (in which the user views the display through a circular eyepiece). It will be understood that with most view-thru or similar rangefinder displays, the viewer will see the target area or environment, overlayed with various icons, data, information, etc. For ease of illustration, the environment is omitted from the stylized display 330. In the example embodiment of FIG. 8A, the display 330 can include a target icon or reticle 340 which indicates where the rangefinder 34 (FIG. 1) is “aimed” (e.g., wherein the laser beam of a laser rangefinder is directed) and thus the target of measurement readings. The display 330 also includes the current line of sight distance to the target as shown at 342 (typically expressed in yards, although other units of distance such as meters can be used). At least a portion of the user-specific information as determined above are also provided in the display 330, including the determined user-specific adjusted current distance as shown at 344 and the determined recommended club as shown at 346. The user-specific adjusted current distance as shown at 344 (sometimes referred to as a “PlayAs” value) is presented as a numerical value, using the same units of measure as the current line of site distance 342. With the example of FIG. 8A, then, a viewer readily understands that the current line of sight distance to the target (provided at 342) is 157 yards, and the adjusted current distance to the target (provided at 344) is 163 yards.

The determined recommended club as provided at 346 can be conveyed to the user in various manners. In some examples, the determined recommended club representation 346 includes a club identification 348 and a compensation indicator 350. The club identification 348 can be a well understood abbreviation or shorthand designation of a commonly available golf club, such as “Dr” for a driver-type golf club, a number followed by the letter “W” or “F” for a fairway wood-type golf club (e.g., the display or icon “3W” or “3F” is well understood to identify a three wood), a number followed by the letter “h” for a hybrid-type golf club (e.g., the display or icon “4h” is well understood to identify a four hybrid golf club), a number followed by the letter “i” for an iron-type golf club (e.g., the display or icon “5i” is well understood to identify five iron), and wedge-type golf clubs (e.g., pitching wedge, sand wedge, 60-degree loft wedge, etc.). The compensation identifier 350 can have a variety of formats intended to convey a relationship between the current elevation average carry distance associated with the recommended club and the user-specific adjusted current distance, and in particular whether the current elevation average carry distance of the recommended club is greater than or less than the user-specific adjusted current distance. For example, the compensation identifier 350 can be or include a “+” or similar symbol/character(s) to convey that the user's current elevation average carry distance when using the recommended club is greater than the user-specific adjusted current distance. Alternatively, the compensation identifier 350 can be or include a “−” or similar symbol/character(s) to convey that the user's current elevation average carry distance when using the recommended club is less than the user-specific adjusted current distance. With the example display 330 of FIG. 8A, the determined recommended club representation 346 readily conveys to the user that his/her or her 8 iron is the closest club to the user-specific adjusted current distance and has an average carry distance that is short of the user-specific adjusted current distance.

In related embodiments, the processor 200 (FIG. 7) can be programmed to display two recommended clubs as part of the determined recommended club representation 346, for example a first club having a current elevation average carry distance that is closest to, but greater than, the user-specific adjusted current distance and a second club having a current average carry distance that is closest to, but less than, the user-specific adjusted current distance. For example, the determined recommended club representation 346 can provide a simultaneous display of the club identification 348 and the corresponding compensation identifier 350 for both the “long” club and the “short” club. Alternatively or in addition, the processor 200 can be programmed to effect a toggling-type display or repeating pattern in which the club identification 348 and the corresponding compensation indicator 350 of the first selected club appears for a short time period (e.g., seconds), followed by a display of the club identification 348 and the corresponding compensation indicator 350 of the second selected club for a short time period. By way of example, the measurements and analysis giving rise to the display 330 of FIG. 8A could have determined that in addition to the current elevation average carry distance of the 8 iron being closest to, but short of, the user-specific adjusted current distance (and optionally that the 8 iron has a current elevation maximum-minimum carry distance range that overlaps the user-specific adjusted current distance), that the current elevation average carry distance of the 7 iron is closest to, but longer than, the user-specific adjusted current distance (and optionally that the 7 iron has a current elevation maximum-minimum carry distance range that overlaps the user-specific adjusted current distance). Under these circumstances, the display 330 can be prompted to toggle between the view of FIG. 8A and the view of FIG. 8B in which the determined recommended club representation 346 readily conveys to the user that his/her or her 7 iron is the closest club to the user-specific adjusted current distance and has an average carry distance that is long of the user-specific adjusted current distance.

A wide variety of other formats can be employed with the rangefinder displays of the present disclosure that may or may not be directly implicated by the views of FIGS. 8A and 8B. In more general terms, the rangefinder displays of the present disclosure include or convey at least one item of user-specific information (e.g., user-specific adjusted current distance, recommended club). A plethora of other items or data can optionally also be included with the displayed user-specific information, such as, but not limited to, line of sight distance, golf hole information, temperature, wind velocity, wind magnitude, wind direction, battery level, operation mode, wireless connection status, etc.

For example, and returning to FIG. 6, the processor 200 (e.g., via the user profile module 300) can be programmed to determine, and optionally prompt the display of, a user-specific adjusted total distance. As a point of reference, “carry distance” is generally understood to be in reference to how far the golf ball travels in the air before it touches the ground. The term “total distance” includes both the carry distance and any additional distance the ball travels after landing/rolling. In other words, “total distance” includes the carry distance and the roll out distance. With this in mind, in some examples the processor(s) 200 operates to determine and output the user's average or stock carry distance for each of the user's golf clubs of the user data set 110 at the current elevation, the user-specific adjusted current distance, and optionally the club recommendation(s) as described above. The processor 200 further operates to generate a user-specific adjusted total distance based upon the user-specific adjusted current distance for one or more of the clubs available to the user (for example, the recommended club(s)). In this regard, the processor 200 can be programmed to consider one or more environmental factors in determining or estimating a roll out distance to be added to the determined user-specific adjusted current distance for a particular club. For example, the processor 200 can consider one or more of slope, topography, ground wetness, grass or turf length, rain conditions, wind (direction and/or velocity), or other environmental factors that could affect the distance a golf ball will roll after touching the ground. The current environmental condition(s) of interest can be provided to the processor 200 in various fashions. For example, the rangefinder 34 (or a mobile electronic device wirelessly linked to the rangefinder 34) can include or carry one or more sensors from which a current environmental condition(s) can be determined. Alternatively or in addition, the user can provide information indicative of one or more environmental conditions of interest, for example via an input device provided with the rangefinder 34 and/or via a mobile electronic device wirelessly linked the rangefinder 34. Alternatively or in addition, information indicative of one or more environmental conditions of interest can be obtained through other sources. For example, topological data or information relevant to a particular shot under consideration can be available from various resources (e.g., the golf course owner); this and similar information can be obtained by and provided to the rangefinder 34 via a mobile electronic device linked to the rangefinder 34 (or directly by the rangefinder 34 with some embodiments). Regardless, the processor 200 operates one or more algorithms formatted to consider the determined user-specific adjusted distance for a particular club, one or more trajectory parameters for the particular club (e.g., is a ball struck by the particular club likely to have a higher trajectory and thus less roll out), and optionally one or more environmental condition parameters to determine the user-specific adjusted total distance for the particular club. The so-determined user-specific adjusted total distance for the particular club can then be conveyed to the user via the display 212.

Mobile Electronic Device/Personalized Data Software Application

Returning to FIG. 1, the mobile electronic device 36 can assume a wide variety of forms. Examples of mobile electronic device include various portable (e.g., hand-held) computing and communication devices such as a smart phone, a cellular phone, a laptop, a notebook, a tablet, and the like. A mobile electronic device includes one or more communication devices that facilitate communication between the mobile electronic device 36 and one or both of the remote server 32 and the rangefinder 34. For example, the mobile electronic device 36 can include one or more of a Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, or IEEE 802.11 compliant communication interface. The mobile electronic device 36 may also include one or more communication devices that allow the device 36 to communicate with public communication infrastructure (e.g., the Internet) and/or private communication infrastructure. For example, one or more communication devices can be configured to provide wireless communication via GSM (global system for mobile communications), CDMA (code division multiple access), GPRS (general packet radio service) and/or HSDPA (high-speed downlink packet access) communication interface.

With the above in mind and with additional reference to FIG. 9, the mobile electronic device 36 includes, among other components, a processor 400, a memory 402, the personalized data software application 38 stored in the memory 402, a user interface 404, one or more communication devices 406 as described above, and a display device 408. The display device 408 can be a component of the user interface 404 (e.g., a touch screen). The mobile electronic device 36 can further include various hardware and/or software components as conventionally provided with, for example, smartphones and similar devices, for example a GPS receiver 410 and corresponding software for receiving GPS satellite information and determining a current location of the mobile electronic device 36 based on the satellite information, one or more elevation-related sensors 412 (such as a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a barometer, etc.) and corresponding software for determining or calculating a current elevation of the mobile electronic device 36 from the measurement(s) of the elevation-related sensor(s) 412 as described above, etc.

The personalized data software application 38 (or “app”) is in refence to a software application (e.g., program code) that is executed by a processor of the mobile electronic device 36. Various app platforms exist for different mobile electronic device operating systems, such as Apple iOS® platforms, Google Android® platforms, and Microsoft Windows® platforms. For example, the personalized data software application 38 can be implemented to execute on smartphones such as the Apple iPhone® or Samsung Galaxy®, tablets such as the Apple iPad® or Google Nexus®, embedded devices executing the Google Android® operating system, etc.

The processor 400, when executing code of the personalized data software application 38, is configured to process information of the user assessment database or other file structure 180 as received (directly or indirectly) from the remote server 32 (FIGS. 1 and 9 reflect the user assessment database 180, otherwise generated by the remote server 32, as having been delivered to, and saved by, the mobile electronic device 36). The processor 400, when executing code of the personalized data software application 38, is configured to cooperate with the display device 408 to present user-specific information retrieved from the user assessment database 180 in a designated format, optionally in combination with data, information, images, etc., obtained by other applications or components of the mobile electronic device 36. For example, and as described in greater detail below, the mobile electronic device 36 can be configured to obtain or generate representation(s) or map(s) of a golf hole (or segments) thereof. The representation(s) can be an actual overhead image of a golf hole, a stylized or artistic rendering of an overhead image of a golf hole, etc. With these and related embodiments, the processor 400, when executing code of the software application 38, cooperates with the display device 408 to present user-specific information retrieved from the user assessment database 180 in combination with (e.g., overlaid to) a representation of a particular golf hole. Further, the processor 400, when executing code of the personalized data software application 138, is configured to transmit at least the user data set 110 (FIG. 1) of the user assessment database 180, optionally an entirety of the user assessment database 180, to the rangefinder 34 when the rangefinder 34 and the mobile electronic device 36 are communicatively coupled to one another.

In some embodiments, the processor 400, when executing code of the personalized data software application 38, is programmed to determine or obtain a current elevation of the mobile electronic device 36, retrieve data from the user assessment database 180 (e.g., information from the user data set 110 such as the elevation table(s) 140 (FIG. 4)), and determine the user's average or stock carry distance for each of the user's golf clubs of the user data set 110 at the current elevation, for example using techniques commensurate with the descriptions above with respect to the rangefinder 34. The so-determined current elevation average carry distance for each club of the user data set 110 is one example of user-specific information of the present disclosure and can be conveyed or displayed to the user via the display device 408 in various fashions.

One non-limiting example of a mobile electronic device display 450 of the present disclosure that otherwise incorporates or provides the determined current elevation average carry distance for each club of the user data set 110 is shown in FIG. 10. The display 450 can include a series of club identifications 460 and corresponding distance values 462 for one or more or all of the clubs of the user data set 110. The club identification(s) 460 can assume various forms, and can be a well understood abbreviation or shorthand designation of a commonly available golf club. For example, the club identification 460a of “Dr” is well understood to be in reference to a driver; the club identification 460b of “5i” is well understood to be in reference to a five iron, the club identification 460c of “54” is well understood to be in reference to a 54 degree loft wedge, etc. The distance values 462 present the determined current elevation average carry distance for the corresponding club. In this regard, the display 450 can arranged the club identifications 460 and distance values 462 in a manner that conveys a relationship between each of the club identifications 460 and the corresponding distance value 462, such as the column-type format with identifying indicia (e.g., indicia 464 of “CLUB” or similar words/symbols as a header to the column of the club identifications 460, indicia 466 of “CARRY” or similar words/symbols as a header to the column of the distance values 462). The display 450 can further convey or clarify to a viewer the units of measurement associated with the distance values 462 (e.g., the indica 466 can include the abbreviation “yds” to confirm that the distance values 462 are in terms of yards). The display 450 can further include indicia 468 formatted to convey to a viewer that the information presented is in the context of the current elevation of the mobile electronic device 36 (e.g., the indica 468 can include “Today's Distances” or similar words/characters/symbols). With the above in mind, when viewing the example display 450, a user readily understands for example that under their current location's conditions (e.g., elevation), the average carry distance of a golf ball struck by the user with his/her six iron is 180 yards.

Returning to FIGS. 1 and 9, the processor 400, when executing code of the personalized data software application 38, is programmed to determine or obtain a current elevation of the mobile electronic device 36, retrieve data from the user assessment database 180 (e.g., information from the user data set 110 such as the elevation table(s) 140 (FIG. 4), shot dispersion information 190, etc.), and determine the user's shot dispersion for each of the user's golf clubs of the user data set 110 at the current elevation. The shot dispersion determination or designation can take various forms, and in some embodiments entails the processor 400 generating, or being provided with (via the shot dispersion information 190 of the user assessment database 180 as described above) a mathematical representation of shot dispersion for each club of the user data set 110. With these and related embodiments, the mathematical representation can be an ellipse equation, with parameters of the equation being adjusted in view of the current elevation. The so-determined current elevation shot dispersion for each club of the user data set 110 is one example of user-specific information of the present disclosure and can be conveyed or displayed to the user via the display device 408 in various fashions.

One non-limiting example of a mobile electronic device display 500 of the present disclosure that otherwise incorporates or provides the determined current elevation shot dispersion for one or more of the clubs of the user data set 110 is shown in FIG. 11. The display 500 can include a scale or graph-like background 510 (referenced generally) conveying a virtual launch point 512. A horizonal direction or axis of the graph-like background 510 represents the left-to-right direction relative to the launch point 512, and horizontal distance labels 514 can be provided to identify horizontal distances from the launch point 512. A vertical direction or axis of the graph-like background 510 represents the forward direction relative to the launch point 512, and forward distance labels 516 can be provided to identify forward distances from the launch point 512. In some embodiments, a centerline extending from the launch point 512 in the vertical direction can be highlighted in the display 500.

In addition, the display 500 includes one or more shot dispersion representations 520. Each of the shot dispersion representations 520 is formatted to convey to the viewer aspects of the current elevation shot dispersions of each club of the user data set 110 (FIG. 1), for example forward distance from the launch point 512 and horizontal spread relative to the launch point 512 or the centerline 518. For example, each of the shot dispersion representations 520 can include a dispersion area border 522 and a corresponding club identification 524. The dispersion area border 522 can assume various forms and is sized, shaped and oriented to illustrate the spread or dispersion of shots using the corresponding golf club as determined from the user assessment database 180 (FIG. 1). In some examples, a shape of the dispersion area border 522 is an ellipse that visually depicts the area where most shots using the corresponding golf club will land. The club identification 524 can assume various forms, and can be a well understood abbreviation or shorthand designation of a commonly available golf club as described above. As reflected by FIG. 11, the club identification 524 is located within a perimeter of the corresponding dispersion area border 522 so as to readily convey which golf club the dispersion area border 522 relates to or describes.

Each of the shot dispersion representations 520 are positioned relative to the horizontal and forward distance labels 514, 516 such that a center of the dispersion area border 522 corresponds to the determined current elevation average location where golf shots by the user with the corresponding golf club would land relative to the launch point 512. The display 500 can further include indicia 530 formatted to convey to a viewer that the information presented is in the context of the current elevation of the mobile electronic device 36 (e.g., the indica 530 can include “Today's Dispersions” or similar words/characters/symbols). With the above in mind, when viewing the display 500, a user readily understands that under their current location's conditions (e.g., elevation), there are several distances (forward distances) where two shot dispersion representations 520 overlap (e.g., at approximately 180 yards, the dispersion area borders 522 of the four iron and five iron overlap) meaning the user will have club selection options at those distances. Conversely, a user readily recognizes from the display 500 any gaps between adjacent dispersion area borders 522. For example, at a forward distance of approximately 210 yards, a gap exists between the dispersion area borders 522 of the three hybrid club and the three wood; with this information in hand, the user understands that at their current elevation, it may be difficult to achieve a carry distance of 210 yards using any of their available golf clubs. Further, when viewing the display 500, a user readily understands how well they hit certain clubs. For example, the dispersion area border 522 associated with the pitching wedge (“PW”) is relatively wide (horizontal direction) and off-set to the right relative to the launch point 512, informing the user that he/she is less accurate or consistent with his/her pitching wedge and tends to miss to the right. Conversely, the dispersion area border 522 associated with the gap wedge (“GW”) is relatively small and substantially centered on the centerline 518, informing the user that he/she is more accurate with his/her gap wedge.

Another non-limiting example of a mobile electronic device display 550 of the present disclosure that otherwise incorporates or provides the determined current elevation shot dispersion for one or more of the clubs of the user data set 110 (FIG. 1) is shown in FIG. 12. In general terms, the display 550 presents user current elevation shot dispersion information overlaid to an overhead representation 560 (referenced generally) of at least a segment of an actual golf hole 560 (referenced generally), assisting the user in making real time course management decisions. The overhead representation 560 can take various forms, and can be generated by the processor 400 (FIG. 9) in various manners. The overhead representation 560 can be a stylized or artistic rendering of an actual golf hole as in FIG. 12. Alternatively or in addition, the overhead representation 590 can be an overhead image of an actual golf hole (utilizing satellite imagery or arial photographs provided by mapping services such as Google Maps, Bing Maps, or a golf course data provider as source data), optionally integrated with other data to enhance accuracy and detail. Regardless of an exact format, the software application 38 (FIG. 1) can be programmed to obtain or generate the overhead representation 560 of a particular golf hole in real-time and/or by referencing a database of golf hole overhead representations (either maintained in the memory 402 (FIG. 9) and/or by a resource in wireless communication with the mobile electronic device 34 (FIG. 1)).

In some embodiments, the overhead representation 560 presents a segment of an actual golf hole about to be played, or currently being played, by the user. For example, the processor(s) 400 (FIG. 9) can operate to determine a current location of the mobile electronic device 36 (FIG. 1), and thus of the user, on a golf course in real-time via the GPS receiver 410 (FIG. 9) and corresponding software for receiving GPS satellite information. With this current location information in hand, the processor(s) 400 can then predict a particular hole on the golf course that the user is about to, or is currently, playing. An overhead image or stylized rendering of the so-identified hole is then selected for use as, or as part of, the overhead representation 560 as described above. Other techniques for generating or selecting a particular image or stylized rendering to be used as, or as part of, the overhead representation 560 are also acceptable.

In addition to obtaining the overhead image or stylized rendering of the user's current hole, the processor(s) 400 (FIG. 9) operates to obtain or determine distance information associated with the current hole from a designated launch point to a target point. The designated launch point can be the user's current location (as determined, for example, via GPS) and/or a known feature of the current hole (e.g., the current hole's tee box). In some examples, the user can select any desired target point along the current hole. For example, the display of FIG. 12 includes a target icon 570. A user can manipulate the target icon 570 relative to the overhead representation 560 to a desired target point (e.g., via a touchscreen-type display device). By way of reference, with the example display 550, the target icon 570 has been positioned along a fairway and between two sand bunkers of the overhead representation 560; it will be understood that a user could position the target icon 570 at virtually any location along the current hole. The processor(s) 400 then operates to determine a linear distance from the designated launch point to the so-selected target point. With the example of FIG. 12, the designated launch point is at a tee box of the current hole and is not visible/shown in the display 550. Relative to a scale of the overhead representation 560, only a segment of the current hole is shown and is well-away from the tee box; in some embodiments, a user is afforded the ability to “zoom in” on the overhead representation 560 in order to best position the target icon 570 relative to the overhead representation 560 as desired. In other examples, the overhead representation 560 can present an entirety of the current hole.

With the linear distance from the designated launch point to the selected target point in hand, the processor(s) 400 (FIG. 9) operates to provide the determined current elevation shot dispersion for one or more of the clubs of the user data set 110 (FIG. 1) on the display 550 (overlaid to the overhead representation) relative to the designated launch point. Although any number of current elevation shot dispersions can be provided with the display 550, the processor(s) 400 can select only a subset of the available current elevation shot dispersions for displaying to the user based upon proximity to the selected target site/target icon 570. In particular, the processor(s) 400 can operate to select only those current elevation shot dispersions that encompass and/or are closest to the selected target site/target icon. With this in mind, the example display 550 includes three shot dispersion representations 580. Each of the shot dispersion representations 580 is formatted to convey to the viewer aspects of the current elevation shot dispersions of a different club of the user data set 110 (FIG. 1) from the designated launch point. For example, each of the current elevation shot dispersion representations 580 can include a dispersion area border 582 and a corresponding club identification 584. The dispersion area border 582 can assume various forms and is sized, shaped and oriented to illustrate the spread or dispersion of shots using the corresponding golf club as determined from the user assessment database 180 (FIG. 1). In some examples, a shape of the dispersion area border 582 is an ellipse that visually depicts the area where most shots using the corresponding golf club will land (relative to the designated launch point), with a different line style, color, etc., being used for each of the different dispersion area borders 582. An interior of each of the dispersion area border 582 can have a color similar to that of the corresponding border 582 but is relatively transparent so as to not overtly obscure the overhead representation 560. The club identification(s) 584 can assume various forms, and can be a well understood abbreviation or shorthand designation of a commonly available golf club as described above. In some examples, the club identification(s) 584 can be displayed away from the dispersion area border(s) 582, and can include an identifier that corresponds with the format (e.g., line type, color, etc.) of the corresponding dispersion area border 582; in other embodiments, the club identification 584 can be located inside a perimeter of the corresponding border 582. Other techniques for readily conveying which golf club a particular dispersion area border 582 relates to or describes are equally acceptable.

With the above in mind, when viewing the display 550, a user readily understands that under their current location's conditions (e.g., elevation), a ball struck from the designated launch point using the three wood is likely like to land near the target point/target icon 570, but may encounter a sand trap; a ball struck from the designated launch point using the driver is likely to land past the target point/target icon 570, but may not be in the fairway; a ball stuck from the designated launch point using the five wood like likely to be land short of the target point/target icon 570.

In some examples, the “on hole dispersion” displays or views (such as the display 550) can be dynamically modified by a user. For example, the processor(s) 400 (FIG. 9) can be programmed to operate such that as the user moves the target icon 570 along the overhead representation 560 being displayed (and thus relative to the designated launch point), the segment of the overhead representation 560 occupying the display 550 will dynamically change (e.g., so that the target icon 570 remains in the approximate middle of the display screen). As the target icon 570 is moved, the current elevation shot dispersion representation(s) 580 will also move, one or more of the displayed current elevation shot dispersion representation(s) 580 can be removed from the display 550, and/or “new” current elevation shot representations(s) 580 can be added to the display.

For example, starting from the arrangement of FIG. 12, if the user was interested in understanding current elevation dispersion information relative to a target point closer to the designated launch point, the user could move the target icon 570 downwardly (relative to the orientation of FIG. 12), with the segment of the overhead representation of the current hole as displayed scrolling or changing with the moving target icon 570. A location of the current elevation shot representation(s) 580 will also “move” or scroll with the changing or scrolling overhead representation of the current hole. At some point during user-prompted movement, a location of the target point/target icon 570 relative to the designated launch point will be at a distance well short of the current elevation shot dispersion associated with the driver. Under these circumstances, the current elevation shot dispersion representation 580 associated with the driver will be removed or disappear from the display 550; further, the current elevation shot dispersion of a different club (e.g., a three iron) may now be closer to the target point/target icon 570 and will then be conveyed to the user via a corresponding current elevation shot dispersion representation 580. Thus, with some displays of the present disclosure, as the user moves the target point/target icon 570 closer to or further from the designated launch point (or starting point), the current elevation shot dispersion(s) will dynamically show or hid based on their proximity to the target point. In some embodiments, a minimum of two dispersions will be shown, such as a dispersion short of the target and a dispersion long of the target (if they exist). A user can customize how many dispersions to show on the hole view. With these and related embodiments, a user is afforded the ability to use their practice data to help make decisions on the course (e.g., deciding whether to club up or down on a particular shot).

Methods

FIG. 13 depicts a method 1000 of providing user-specific information to a user/golfer in accordance with principles of the present disclosure. As described herein, and shown in block 1010, a launch monitor is operated to obtain ball flight data for the user as part of, for example, a monitoring session. The monitoring session can take various forms, and can be organized or prompted in various fashions. In some examples, and as reflected by FIG. 14, a monitoring session can be facilitated by a dedicated monitoring session software application operating on one or both of the launch monitor and an electronic device paired to the launch monitor (e.g., the user's mobile electronic device such as a smartphone) as generally indicated at 1050.

The monitoring session software application can function to prompt the user to identify golf club(s) of the user that s/he intends to have assessed at 1052. In this regard, the monitoring session software application can suggest or have available for selection by the user a wide number of commonly available golf clubs (e.g., driver, fairway woods (three wood, five wood, etc.), hybrids (three hybrid, five hybrid, etc.), irons (three iron, five iron, etc.), and wedges (e.g., pitching wedge, loft wedge, gap wedge 52 degree wedge, etc.). In some non-limiting examples, the user can select one to thirteen different clubs at 1052. The monitoring session software application then operates to prompt the user to employ a first one of the identified golf clubs to strike a golf ball in a viewing zone of the launch monitor (e.g., from a predetermined location) toward a target at 1054. As the user performs the prompted ball strike, the launch monitor operates to obtain corresponding ball flight data at 1056. The obtained ball flight data is stored in a memory of the electronic device otherwise operating the monitoring session software application or of the launch monitor with a club identifier that designates the specific golf club employed at block 1058. In some embodiments, the obtained ball flight data can be displayed to the user (via, for example, a display of the launch monitor). Where the so-displayed ball flight data include one or more distance values (e.g., carry distance), the distance measure can be in terms of the current elevation of the launch monitor. Regardless, in some examples, distance-related information of the ball flight data as saved for purposes of the monitoring session can be normalized to sea level (e.g., via reference to data available from a barometer or other environmental sensor provided with the launch monitor as described above).

The user is then prompted to indicate whether s/he is done with the monitoring session at block 1060. If the user chooses to continue (“NO” at block 1060), the user is then prompted to indicate whether s/he plans to use a different golf club to strike the next golf ball at block 1062. If the user intends to use the same golf club (“NO” at block 1062), the method returns to block 1054. If the user instead intends to use a different golf club (“YES” at block 1062), the user is prompted to identify the new club at block 1064 and the method returns to block 1052. In some examples, monitoring sessions of the present disclosure can include the user being prompted to strike a minimum of three golf balls and a maximum of fifteen golf balls per club, although any other number, either greater or lesser, is equally acceptable. In each instance of the user employing the same golf club to strike a golf ball, the obtained ball flight data will be saved with the same club identifier so that all ball flight data for the same club is grouped together. Once all of the identified clubs have been assessed (“YES” at block 1060), all obtained ball flight data is grouped/saved in a ball flight database assigned to the user (e.g., a database with an assigned user identifier) at 1066.

Returning to FIG. 13, the ball flight data at block 1010 can be obtained in a number of other fashions that may or may not include a dedicated monitoring session software application guiding the user through a monitoring session. At block 1012, the ball flight data is transferred to a remote server. For example, where the ball flight data is stored or provided as, or as part of, a ball flight database, the ball flight database can be communicated to the remote server (wired or wireless communication). In some embodiments, the electronic device operating the monitoring session software application and generating the ball flight database while paired to the launch monitor can be prompted to initiate communication with the remote server and automatically transfer the ball flight database (or other format or file containing the ball flight data) upon completion of the monitoring session. In other embodiments, the user can be prompted (e.g., in response to functioning of the dedicated monitoring session software application) to cause the electronic device operating the monitoring session software application to communicatively couple to the remote server (or vice-versa) and upload the ball flight database. In yet other examples, the electronic device operating the monitoring session software application can be programmed to connect to the remote server and transfer any/all ball flight database(s) on a periodic basis. In yet other embodiments, the ball flight database is generated and stored in a memory of the launch monitor; with these and related embodiments, the launch monitor can operate to transfer the ball flight database to the remote server commensurate with the descriptions above. Regardless, the remote server stores the ball flight database in a memory location assigned to the user.

At block 1014, the remote server operates to generate a user data set based on the user's ball flight data. In some examples, the remote server operates a flight engine typically employed by golf simulators to simulate golf shots for each of the golf clubs of the monitoring session/ball flight database at one or more elevations, at a positive slope, and at a negative slope. The results of these simulations (or other ball flight data analyses) are organized or saved in the user data set as at least one elevation table and a slope table as described above, with the table(s) providing information specific to each of the golf clubs of the monitoring session. The simulations (or other ball flight data analysis) can further include shot dispersion information for each of the golf clubs of the monitoring session. The shot dispersion information can be incorporated into the user data set or provided as a separate database or other file structure.

At block 1016, at least the user data set is transferred from the remote server to the user's rangefinder. The transfer can be facilitated in various fashions, for example via an electronic mobile device (e.g., smartphone) serving as an intermediary as generally reflected by FIG. 15. At block 1070, the user can establish an account on his or her mobile electronic device as part of a communication platform that links or connects user data set-type information specific to the user as stored on the remote server with a software application operating on the user's rangefinder. For example, a dedicated personalized data software application can be installed on the user's electronic mobile device that is formatted for the user to create an account and enter specific information or otherwise “register” his or her rangefinder. At block 1072, the user data set is electronically transferred from the remote server to the user's mobile electronic device. This transfer and subsequent storage of the user data set on the mobile electronic device can be mediated by operation of the dedicated personalized data software application. The user data set can be securely fetched from the remote server and delivered to the mobile electronic device/software application via the Internet, over a network connection, cloud-based connection, on-line connection, etc. In some examples, the user data set transfer can be automatically initiated when the user's mobile electronic device/dedicated personalized data software application is communicatively linked to the remote server. Alternatively or in addition, the dedicated personalized data software application can function to facilitate the user data set transfer in response to a user prompt. Regardless, because the user's mobile electronic device/dedicated personalize data software application is populated with account information specific to the user in a format that is recognized by the remote server, the remote server will send the user data set specific to the so-registered user to the user's electronic device.

At block 1074, the user data set is transferred from the user's mobile electronic device to the user's rangefinder. In some examples, the user data set transfer is automatically initiated when the user's mobile electronic device is communicatively coupled to the user's rangefinder. The user data set transfer can be facilitated by the dedicated personalized data software application operating on the user's mobile electronic device in various manners (e.g., Bluetooth or other wireless technology). Regardless, the received user data set can be stored and acted upon by a user profile module operating on the user's rangefinder.

Returning to FIG. 13, the user data set can be transferred to the user's rangefinder using other techniques at block 1016 (e.g., a direct wireless connection between the remote server and the user's rangefinder). Regardless, at block 1018, the rangefinder operates to determine user-specific shot information based upon the user data set. For example, a user can operate the rangefinder to measure or determine a line of sight distance from a current location to a target. When prompted to measure or determine the line of sight distance, the rangefinder can also automatically measure or determine a slope or angle of inclination from the current location to the target. The processor of the rangefinder can then determine a current elevation of the rangefinder (and thus of the user) at the current location by referencing data from one or more sensors carried by, or electronically connected to, the rangefinder. The processor of the rangefinder can then determine a stock or average carry distance and/or similar distance data for each of the golf clubs of the user data set at the current elevation, for example by referencing an elevation table of the user data set. The processor of the rangefinder can also determine an adjusted current distance based upon the measured line of sight distance, the measured slope, and information of the user data set (e.g., a slope table, the current elevation stock carry distance for one or more or all of the golf clubs of the user data set). The processor of the rangefinder can also determine a club recommendation based upon the determined adjusted current distance and information of the user data set (e.g., current elevation stock carry distance and current elevation maximum and minimum distances for each golf club of the user data set). Other techniques for determining actual club data/distances, adjusted current distance, and club recommendations relative to a particular current location-to-target under consideration by the user and based upon the user data set (and thus specific to the user) are also acceptable. Further, other user-specific information can be generated, such as user-specific adjusted total distance for one or more clubs available to the user.

At block 1018, some or all of the user-specific shot information is displayed to the user via the user's rangefinder, optionally along with other information such as the measure line of sight distance. As described above, the user-specific shot information display can take various forms, and can include at least one of the determined adjusted current distance, the club recommendation(s), determined adjusted total distance.

Other methods of present disclosure can provide user-specific information to a golfer via the user's electronic mobile device. One example method 1080 is shown in FIG. 16. At block 1090, a launch monitor is operated to obtain ball flight data for the user as part of, for example, a monitoring session. The techniques associated with block 1090 can be identical to the techniques described above with respect to block 1010 of FIG. 13. At block 1092, the ball flight data is transferred to a remote server. The techniques associated with block 1092 can be identical to the techniques described above with respect to block 1012 of FIG. 13. At block 1094, the remote server operates to generate a user assessment database based on the user's ball flight data. The techniques associated with block 1094 can be identical to the techniques described above with respect to block 1014 of FIG. 13, and can include the remote server operating a flight engine typically employed by golf simulators to simulate golf shots for each of the golf clubs of the monitoring session at one or more elevations, at a positive slope, and at a negative slope. The results of these simulations (or other ball flight data analyses) are organized or saved in the user assessment database as at least one elevation table and a slope table as described above, and further includes shot dispersion information for each of the golf clubs of the monitoring session.

At block 1096, the user assessment database is transferred from the remote server to the user's mobile electronic device (e.g., smartphone). For example, and commensurate with the descriptions above with respect to FIG. 15, the user can establish an account on his or her mobile electronic device as part of a dedicated personalized data software application operating on the user's mobile electronic device that prompts the electronic transfer of the user assessment database from the remote server to the user's mobile electronic device. The user assessment database can be securely fetched from the remote server and delivered to the mobile electronic device/personalized data software application via the Internet, over a network connection, cloud-based connection, on-line connection, etc. Because the user's mobile electronic device/dedicated personalized data software application is populated with account information specific to the user in a format that is recognized by the remote server, the remote server will select and send the user assessment database specific to the so-registered user.

At block 1098, the user's mobile electronic device operates to determine user-specific shot information based upon the user assessment database. For example, the mobile electronic device can operate to determine a current elevation of the mobile electronic device (and thus of the user) by referencing data from one or more sensors carried by, or electronically connected to, the mobile electronic device. The processor of the mobile electronic device can operate to determine stock or average carry distance and/or shot dispersion information for each of the golf clubs of the user assessment database at the current elevation, for example by referencing an elevation table of the user assessment database and/or shot dispersion information of the user assessment database. At least a portion of the user-specific shot information is displayed to the user at block 1100. For example, some or all of the so-determined current elevation stock carry distance can be displayed to the user on a display of the mobile electronic device, conveying stock carry distance for each golf club at the current elevation. Alternatively or in addition, some or all of the so-determined current elevation shot dispersion information can be displayed to the user on a display of the mobile electronic device, conveying shot dispersions for each golf club at the current elevation. Alternatively or in addition, the mobile electronic device can operate to determine a current location of the mobile electronic device (and thus of the user), for example via GPS-enabled technology, and to obtain an overhead representation of a current hole being played by the user. The mobile electronic device can then operate to display some or all of the current elevation shot dispersion information overlaid to the overhead representation of the current golf hole on a display.

The systems, devices and methods of the present disclosure provide a marked improvement over previous designs. While rangefinders are well-known and widely accepted, they operate to provide a line of sight distance to a target and optionally a standardized slope distance. Users are required to manually determine how that (or those) distances translate to their personal abilities/club distances or an automated club distance closest to the measured line of sight distance could be provided. This is not an accurate solution. With the systems, devices and methods of the present disclosure, accurate, personalized distance information and club selection recommendations can quickly be provided by the rangefinder to the user with minimal data processing within the rangefinder. In some examples, user-specific information can also be provided via the user's mobile electronic device.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.