Correlation method and apparatus for target-oriented sports activities

摘要

The correlation method and apparatus matches the impact location of an object at or near a predetermined target with one of many shots at the target. For example, the correlation method and apparatus can match the golf ball driven from a tee box with an impact location within the target area. The correlation method and apparatus can therefore identify which one of a number of golf balls landing within the target area was hit from a specific tee box at a golf practice range having numerous tee boxes using the same target area. The correlation apparatus includes a first sensor for determining a golf ball striking time at which the golf ball is driven from the tee box toward the target area. The correlation apparatus also includes a second sensor for determining the respective impact locations and times of a plurality of golf balls within the target area. In addition, the correlation apparatus includes a signal processor for discriminating between the plurality of golf balls which landed within the target area so as to match the respective impact location of one of the plurality of golf balls with the golf ball driven from the tee box at the golf ball striking time. Thereafter, the signal processor can determine the flight distance of the golf ball even though the golf ball was not tracked during flight.