METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING PARAMETERS OF THE MOTION OF AN OBJECT

摘要

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for determining a desired parameter of the motion of an object. In one embodiment, the device can be used to calculate the estimated carry distance of a golf shot. The golfer uses a keypad to enter the golf club being used and the units of measure desired for the output display. A Doppler radar system is employed to illuminate the golf ball immediately after it has been hit. A reflected return signal is detected and difference pulses are generated, having a frequency which is proportional to the velocity of the ball. The difference pulses are processed by a microprocessor to determine if the radar beam has "locked" onto the ball. If so, the microprocessor is used to calculate the carry distance by dividing a predetermined constant by the average period of the difference pulses. The carry distance can be displayed on the device itself or on a remote display, and/or can be stored in memory for later recall or transmission to an external computer. The microprocessor can also be programmed to calculate and display the ball's velocity. An acoustic trigger can be used to activate the radar circuitry only when the sound of a golf ball being struck by a golf club is detected.