EP1946803A1

EP1946803A1 - Practice system

Info

Publication number: EP1946803A1
Application number: EP07001186A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kristian Hohla; Georg Korn; Ernst Hegels
Original assignee: Friend for Golfers GmbH
Current assignee: Friend for Golfers GmbH
Priority date: 2007-01-19
Filing date: 2007-01-19
Publication date: 2008-07-23

Abstract

A module for a practice device, the module comprising a movable object, a first fastening element adapted for being detachably and immovably fastened to a second fastening element of the practice device, and a flexible element connecting the movable object to the first fastening element.

Description

The invention relates to a module for a practice device.
Moreover, the invention relates to a practice device.
The invention further relates to a practice system.
US 5,762,562 discloses a golf practice device having an angled, curved or straight frame made of tubular steel on which two anchor points are formed between which a rope is tensioned. A golf-ball-like body is tracked along the rope by means of a flexible connector. A strike plate is located on the rope in the vicinity of an upper anchor point. The frame and the rope form a closed tensioning system which generates vibrations in the rope when the body hits the strike plate, where the magnitude and direction of the amplitudes of said vibrations are a function of the point of contact between the body and the strike plate. The vibrations of the rope affect the type of movement of the struck body during its return to the first anchor point such that the user can draw conclusions about the nature of his golf swing.
However, conventional golf practice devices suffer from insufficient functionality.
It is an object of the invention to provide a user friendly practice system.
In order to achieve the object defined above, a module for a practice device, a practice device, and a practice system according to the independent claims are provided.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a module for a practice device is provided, the module comprising a movable object (which may be essentially shaped as a ball), a first fastening element adapted for being detachably and immovably fastened to a second fastening element of the practice device, and a flexible element connecting the movable object to the first fastening element (particularly, a first end portion of an oblong flexible element may be fixedly connected to the movably object, whereas a second end portion of the oblong flexible element may be fixedly connected to the first fastening element).
According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a practice device is provided, the practice device comprising a base element and a second fastening element adapted for being detachably and immovably fastened to a first fastening element of a module having the above mentioned features.
According to still another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a practice system is provided, the practice system comprising a plurality of communicatively coupled practice devices having the above mentioned features.
In the context of this application, the term "movable object" may particularly denote a physical (for instance spherical) structure which is adapted, designed or configured to be operated in a fluidic (particularly a gas, but possibly also a liquid) environment in which it shall move, for instance fly. Examples for movable objects which may also rest in a static operation state are sports devices such as balls, particularly golf balls, tennis balls, table tennis balls, squash balls, or soccer balls.
The term "detachably and immovably" may particularly denote that the correspondingly designed fastening elements may be fixedly connected to one another so that a motion of one of the fastening elements relative to the other one is selectively disabled. However, when the connection between the fastening elements is released, the module may be separated again from the practice device.
The term "base element" may particularly denote a plate like, planar underground on which several further components may be mounted and/or which may serve as an underground on which the movable object may roll, for instance for practicing putting of a golf ball.
The term "performance" of a golf player may particularly denote any action a golf player takes before, during or after carrying out a stroke or a putt. This may particularly include the behavior directly before the stroke, for instance when the golf player stands in front of the tee and concentrates before carrying out the stroke. It may particularly include the behavior during the stroke, for instance when the golf player swings the golf club and hits the golf ball. It may particularly include the behavior after the stroke, for instance when the golf ball has left the tee/golf club and flies or rolls in the direction of the goal.
The term "stroke" may particularly denote the entire procedure or a part of the procedure including a swing with the golf club, a hit between golf club and golf ball, and the flight of the golf ball until the ball rests. A stroke may be at least a part of the performance. Thus, a golf stroke may denote a stroke which makes the golf ball fly (for instance when launching the ball from a tee), and may also denote a stroke which makes the golf ball roll (for instance when putting the ball towards a hole on a green). Therefore, a stroke may cover any motion of the golf ball with a distance of hundreds of meters to several centimeters.
The term "hit" may particularly denote the short time interval in which an interaction between the golf club and the golf ball occurs.
The term "golf diagnosis apparatus" may particularly denote an apparatus which may monitor the performance of a golf player and may carry out calculations in correspondence with this performance. Also golf simulators may be covered by the term "golf diagnosis apparatus". For instance, such a golf diagnosis apparatus may comprise one or more cameras making one or more pictures of a golf ball and/or a golf club and/or a golf player in order to derive therefrom information allowing to perform a diagnosis of a golf stroke. For instance, a stroboscope may define different points of time at which an image is taken, and the individual images may be evaluated using image recognition methods so as to analyze a stroke of a golf player. For instance, such a golf diagnosis apparatus may calculate parameters like velocity, angle, acceleration, spin, stroke distance, etc. in accordance with a stroke. Such a system may be implemented also in combination with a self-adaptive golf analysis feature, allowing to determine which body positions, or other stroke parameters statistically yield good results, and which not. Thus, such a golf diagnosis system may provide a golfer with suggestions as to how to improve the performance or provide information which parameters have been successful in the past.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a connectable ball-rope combination for a golf practice device is provided. A golf ball securely fastened to a rope of a length of for instance 1m has a fastening element at an end portion of the rope opposing the end portion at which the golf ball is fixed, and this fastening element may be connected to a golf practice device. This connection may be detachable, that is to say may be released by a user by simply clicking the first fastening element out of a corresponding second fastening element of the golf practice device. The ball connected to the rope may then be put on a tee-like portion or simply on a planar underground of the golf practice device, and the user may hit the ball with a golf club, thereby simulating a golf stroke. Optionally, such a golf stroke, more particularly the first decimeters of such a golf stroke, may be captured by a launch monitor, that is to say by a golf diagnosis apparatus. The golf diagnosis apparatus may then perform calculations to calculate parameters such as a (virtual) stroke distance, a score indicative of the quality of the stroke, etc. If desired, this information may be output on a display device, for instance on a laptop. It is also possible that a golf simulation is performed showing a golf player in a realistic golf course environment and indicating how the golf shot would have looked like in reality.
In addition to this realistic simulation of a golf shot, the fixed connection between the fastening element of the module and the fastening element of the practice device ensures that the motion of the golf ball is restricted to a (theoretically spherical) volume which is defined essentially by a sphere having a radius which corresponds to the length of the rope. However, as a further security feature, an energy absorbing or damping wall may be provided which extends vertically from the base element to receive the golf ball to stop its motion rapidly. Additionally, side walls may be provided for an even higher degree of security, also for the unlikely scenario that the golf ball is unintentionally released from the rope.
Therefore, a device for practicing a golf stroke (or a stroke with a soccer ball, a football, etc.) may be provided which can be used in an indoor environment such as a living room or a fitness center. A freely starting hit ball which is however limited in its moving freedom due to the rope may be mounted on such a device.
Therefore, a mobile device allowing the practice of a golf stroke with a ball is provided which is secured by a rope and which, in the case of a normal stroke, is caught by an energy-absorbing wall. Due to the free ball flight over a dimension of at least 20 cm, a measurement of the ball and/or club parameters with a launch monitor is possible.
The device can be designed to be foldable or to be disassembled for a space-saving storage and transport.
It is possible to integrate an RFID chip in the ball-rope unit in which the number of strokes carried out with this ball-rope unit can be stored. By means of a physical lock device in the golf practice device, it may be securely prevented that a ball-rope unit is used for a number of golf strokes exceeding a predetermined security threshold value of, for instance, 100 strokes. Such a system may also prevent that balls are used which are not certificated.
With a mobile golf practice device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, golf putting can also be simulated, for instance by locating a putting hole at an end portion of the base unit which may simulate a green. It is also possible that a mobile golf play device is combined with one or more launch monitors. The mobile golf practice device may also be combined with golf game simulations. By implementing networking techniques, the golf practice device may communicate with or may functionally cooperate with one or more similar or identical golf practice devices at different locations. Thus, it may be possible to perform a simultaneous play at different locations by different players.
According to an exemplary embodiment, it may be dispensable to have a specifically designed room which is secured by golf nets, etc. Furthermore, mechanical support units for rigidly fastening the ball may be dispensable, which allows to have a golf practice device with an improved stroke feeling allowing a more realistic golf simulation.
Particularly, a network golf game may be played using reliable golf simulators with normalized stroke conditions. This allows for a very realistic and fair golf competition, wherein different human competitors may directly play at the same location or via a wired or wireless network at remote positions. With such normalized conditions, a meaningful comparison of the quality of the strokes of the different users is possible, so that it is possible to calculate credit point or amounts of money which one player has to pay to another player who has won the golf competition.
Therefore, a golf course at home may be realized at which a long distance stroke and/or a putter stroke may be detected by a golf diagnosis device such as the Golf Optimizer of the Friend for Golfers GmbH.
Therefore, a golf play in the living room may be made possible enabling a realistic play with a plurality of shots. The golf diagnosis device may be coupled with the golf practice device. Therefore, a small dimensioned golf simulator may be provided which can be used at home. Such a golf practice device may be disassembled in a fast manner simply by defolding the apparatus into the folded operation state.
Particularly, a network golf cash game may be provided in which an indoor box and a golf play simulator are combined. A play via the public Internet is possible, when different players have a normalized golf practice device. Credits/amounts of money may be assigned to golf players depending on their performance. In order to ensure that won/lost money is in fact transferred from the losing player to the winning player, the system may ask for the credit card numbers of the players before the game starts, or the golf game may only be started after money has been transferred by the players of the game. Players of different skills may also enjoy a realistic and open match by considering imputable handicap values.
Next, further exemplary embodiments of the module will be explained. However, these embodiments also apply to the practice device and to the practice system.
The movable object may be a ball, particularly a golf ball. However, any other movable or flyable object may be connected via the module to the practice device, such as a soccer ball or a basketball.
The flexible element may be a rope. Such a rope may be sufficiently thick to ensure that the ball remains on the rope even when high mechanical forces of a golf club hit the golf ball.
The module may comprise a communication unit such as a transponder, particularly a radio frequency identification tag (RFID tag), adapted to store information indicative of a number of past motion events of the movable object and adapted to transmit a communication message to a communication partner device indicating that the number of past motion events of the movable object has exceeded a predefined threshold value. For instance, a motion or stroke of the ball can be detected by a golf diagnosis apparatus, for instance by a light barrier unit thereof. Such a stroke event may be reported from the golf diagnosis apparatus to a base station (or a reader/writer device) which is in communication with the transponder. Therefore, each individual stroke may be reported to the transponder which then stores the number of strokes which have already been performed in the past with this ball rope unit or the number of remaining strokes being allowed. When a predefined number of strokes is exceeded, for instance 100, the ball-rope unit may no longer be used with the golf practice device, since, when the golf-rope unit is fastened to the golf practice device, the RFID tag transmits the information to the base station or the golf practice device that the number of allowed strokes has been exceeded for the ball-rope unit and that no more strokes are allowed for the sake of security. Consequently, a mechanical barrier may be moved into the stroke direction so as to form some kind of wall close to the tee portion of the base element, thereby preventing further golf strokes with the invalid ball-rope unit which has to be exchanged for the sake of security, since the mechanical stability cannot be guaranteed after more than, for instance, 100 strokes.
Next, further exemplary embodiments of the practice device will be explained. However, these embodiments also apply to the module and to the practice system.
The practice device may comprise a golf diagnosis apparatus for evaluating a performance, particularly a stroke, of a golf player hitting the movable object of the module. With such a golf diagnosis apparatus, a stroke may be detected optically by a light barrier and/or acoustically by a microphone. Such a stroke event may trigger one or more flash units to emit light flashes separated by a time interval which allows to see the golf ball on an image captured with a camera at the points of time corresponding to the light flashes. Evaluating parameters such as distance between the ball images, sizes of the balls, rotation of markers provided on the balls, and/or corresponding club parameters may allow to derive parameters such as the stroke length, spin information, etc. Therefore, the golf diagnosis apparatus may comprise an imaging apparatus such as a CCD camera to capture an image of the golf ball and/or the golf club, a power supply unit (such as a battery, an accumulator or a solar cell) for supplying the golf diagnosis apparatus with electrical energy, an optical display unit such as an LCD for displaying golf diagnosis related information, a user interface for allowing a user to communicate with the golf diagnosis apparatus (for instance comprising input elements such as a keypad, a joystick, a trackball or even a microphone of a voice recognition system), and/or a data evaluation unit such as a CPU (central processing unit) or a microprocessor for evaluating golf diagnosis related data.
Furthermore, the practice device may comprise an energy-absorbing wall having a surface plane being angled relative to a surface plane of the base element, particularly arranged essentially perpendicular with regard to the base element, and adapted for absorbing mechanical energy of the movable object when being hit by an apparatus such as a golf club. In order to rapidly stop the flight of the hit ball, a wall having energy-absorbing properties being correspondingly damped may be provided. This not only serves as a security measure but also ensures to stop the ball quickly after a stroke so that a next stroke can be performed.
Moreover, a protection wall (for instance a lateral protection wall) may be provided having a surface plane being angled relative to the surface plane of the base element and relative to the surface plane of the energy-absorbing wall, particularly arranged essentially perpendicular with regard to the base element and with regard to the energy-absorbing wall, thereby forming a box-like arrangement. This box may not be necessarily closed entirely, but may at least partially protect specific portions in space so that a human observer may be positioned behind such a protection wall and may safely observe the stroke performance.
The practice device may comprise a locking mechanism being movable relative to the base element and may be adapted to be moved into a stroke direction when a number of past motion events of the movable object of the module has exceeded a predefined threshold value. Such a locking mechanism, for instance a mechanical barrier or any other mechanism avoiding that a stroke is performed, may be automatically activated when the golf-rope unit has been used for more than a predefined number of stroke, for instance 100 or 200 strokes.
The locking mechanism may be adapted to be moved into the normal stroke volume in response to a communication message transmitted by a transponder of the module to a communication partner device indicating that the number of past motion events of the movable object of the module has exceeded the predefined threshold value. Therefore, a wireless transponder connected to the ball-rope unit (for instance connected to the fastening element of the module) may store the information how many golf shots have already been performed with this ball-rope unit in the past.
The base element may comprise a putting hole. In this manner, the base element may be provided in a floor-like manner to realistically simulate a green of a golf course. In this context, when the human user practices putting, the golf diagnosis apparatus may be switched from a stroke mode (with the flashes of the golf diagnosis apparatus being separated by a time interval of for instance several µs) to a putting mode (in which the time interval between the emission of the flashes may in the order of magnitude of a second). This allows a diagnosis in both the stroke mode and the putting mode taking into account typical ball velocities in the respective modes.
The practice device may comprise a golf simulation unit adapted for simulating a golf play based on a hit of the movable object by a golf club. Therefore, after having performed the golf stroke in the living room, a display may show the golfer on a real golf course with the corresponding landscape animation, etc. and thereby giving the golfer a realistic impression that she or he is really enjoying an actual golf game.
The second fastening element may be adapted for fastening the first fastening element by at least one of the group consisting of a click connection, a mechanical snap-in connection, a magnetic connection, and a slide connection. The fastening elements may engage one another. For example, the second fastening element may be a half golf ball which can be inserted in a correspondingly shaped and designed reception of the second fastening element.
The base element may comprise a groove adapted for at least partially receiving the flexible element of the module. Therefore, a provision may be taken to ensure a way according to which the rope of the ball-rope unit is guided along the base element. Such a groove may particularly comprise a straight portion along which a portion of the flexible element adjacent to the movable object is receivable, and may comprise an angled portion (angled relative to the straight portion) along which a portion of the flexible element adjacent to the first fastening element is receivable. This geometrical configuration ensures a guide for the ball when the first decimeters of the stroke which are relevant for the evaluation of the golf diagnosis apparatus are completed. This arrangement with the angled portion may ensure that the ball is directed into a non-dangerous direction, for instance towards protection walls.
The practice device may further comprise a mounting section adapted for mounting a golf diagnosis apparatus. This mounting section may be dimensioned and positioned so as to allow for an optimum implementation of a golf diagnosis apparatus positioned properly with regard to a tee portion of the base element.
It is possible that the practice device is provided in a disassemblable manner. It is also possible that the golf device is provided in a foldable manner. With such configurations, it is possible to install or uninstall the system in minutes or even seconds and to transport and store the practice device with a small dimension.
Particularly, the practice device may be adapted as a mobile or portable practice device which may be transportable with the muscle force of an average human being.
Next, further exemplary embodiments of the practice system will be explained. However, these embodiments also apply to the module and to the practice device.
The plurality of communicatively coupled practice devices may be coupled for unidirectional or bidirectional data exchange via a network, particularly via the public Internet or via an intranet. This may make it possible that different players at different locations enjoy a common golf competition simultaneously. However, it is also possible that the individual players are located relatively close to one another, for instance in different portions of a room. The network may be a Local Area Network or a Wide Area Network, and may work in a wired manner or in a wireless manner.
A control unit (or coordination unit) may be provided in the practice system for controlling operation of the plurality of communicatively coupled practice devices. Such a control unit or master unit may be included in one of the practice devices or may be a separate unit such as a server in the Internet which can be run by a provider. This control unit may supervise the match between the players and may therefore operate as some kind of referee. Particularly, the control unit may be adapted for assigning a score to a performance of users operating the individual practice devices. Such a score may be derived from a golf diagnosis performed by a golf diagnosis apparatus or launch monitors provided at the individual practice devices. For example, a stroke length or the number of strokes needed until the ball is put in the hole may be used as a basis for such a score. Particularly, it is possible that an amount of money to be transferred between a winner and a loser of the golf competition may be calculated based on the assigned score. In order to ensure that the money which the winning user has won is in fact transferred, it is possible that a play is only possible after a money transfer from one player to the control unit or after input of the credit card numbers of the players.
The aspects defined above and further aspects of the invention are apparent from the examples of embodiment to be described hereinafter and are explained with reference to these examples of embodiment.
The invention will be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to examples of embodiment but to which the invention is not limited.

Figure 1 illustrates a golf practice device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a ball-rope module for a golf practice device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 to Figure 7 illustrate golf practice devices according to exemplary embodiments of the invention.
Figure 8 illustrates a golf practice system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

The illustration in the drawing is schematically. In different drawings, similar or identical elements are provided with the same reference signs.
In the following, referring to Fig. 1 , a golf analysis system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described.
As shown in Fig. 1, a golf player 101 is in a position to carry a golf club 102 including a shaft 103 and a club head 104. A golf ball 105 is positioned on a tee-like portion (not shown).
The golf diagnosis apparatus 100 comprises a central processing unit (CPU) 113 (which may, in another embodiment, be a microprocessor) which includes processing resources and storage resources. The CPU 113 may serve as a control system for the entire golf diagnosis apparatus 100. The CPU 113 is electrically coupled (in a bidirectional manner or in a unidirectional manner) with a CCD (charge coupled device) camera 114. Instead of providing a single CCD camera 114, it is also possible to provide two or more cameras. It may be particularly advantageous to provide only a single camera, since this may allow to manufacture the device 100 with low costs and in a small size. When a plurality of CCD cameras 114 are provided, the device 100 may be adapted to monitor the golf player 101 from different viewing directions/viewing angles so as to derive complementary information for evaluating a stroke of the golfer 101.
Furthermore, a first flash 116 and a second flash 117 are provided. The flashes 116, 117 can be positioned at any desired position of the golf diagnosis apparatus 100, particularly attached to a casing of the golf diagnosis apparatus 100. The flashes 116, 117 may emit light flashes so as to define points of time at which images of the golf club 102, of the golf ball 105 and/or of the golf player 101 are captured by the camera 114. As an alternative for the flashes 116, 117, strobes may be provided. It is possible to implement such light flash sources using LEDs, particularly OLEDs. Instead of using two flashes 116, 117, it is possible to use only one flash or at least three flashes. For example, each of the flashes 116, 117 can emit a single flash, or a single flash 116 or 117 may emit two or more flashes. Also the number of light pulses may vary, and can be larger or equal than two.
Furthermore, the CPU 113 is coupled to an LCD display 118 as an optical display unit for displaying results of the golf diagnosis.
Moreover, the CPU 113 is coupled to an input/output device 119 like a keypad, a joystick, a touch screen or the like so as to provide the CPU 113 with control information. For instance, the golfer 101 may input, via the input/output device 119, information indicating a club 102 which shall be used for the strike, so as to provide the system 100 with the required information needed to evaluate the stroke.
As further shown in Fig. 1, a microphone 124 is provided for detecting acoustic waves resulting from a hit between the golf club head 104 and the ball 105.
Furthermore, a Bluetooth communication interface 125 is provided at the golf diagnosis apparatus 100, and is coupled to the CPU 113. Via the Bluetooth communication interface 125, communication with optional sensors 128, 129 located in both shoes 126, 127 of the golfer 101 is possible. Furthermore, wireless communication with the sensor 130 provided in the golf club head 104 and with the sensor 131 provided in the golf ball 105 is possible.
Beyond this, the golf ball 105 comprises a marker 150, which may be a text or a symbol having optical properties differing from those of the surrounding of the generally white golf ball 105. In a similar manner, a marker 151 may be provided at the golf club 104, and a marker 152 may be provided at the shaft 103 of the club 102.
In the following, the functionality of the system 100 will be explained in more detail.
When the golf player 101 has operated the golf club 102 so that the golf head 104 hits the ball 105, acoustic waves are generated. These are detected - with a corresponding delay - by the microphone 124. Consequently, the flashes 116, 117 are triggered to emit light pulses, particularly two light pulses having a length of 20 µs and having a time distance of 2 ms. Correspondingly, points of time are defined by these flashes 116, 117 at which the camera 114 detects images of the hit ball 105, the moving club 102, and/or the moving golf player 101 (essentially) during or after the hit.
Furthermore, sensor information from the sensors 128 to 131 are transmitted to the Bluetooth communication interface 125. All these items of information may be used by the CPU 113 to derive golf diagnosis information, like angle information, velocity information, distance information, etc. A result of such an evaluation may be output via the display unit 118.
As an alternative to the microphone 124, a light barrier may be provided for detecting the time of hitting the ball 105.
The system shown in Fig. 1 is a golf practice device 160. It comprises a plate-like base element 161 having a surface which may be configured similarly as on a real golf course, for instance with a green floor. A tee at which the ball 105 is positioned may be simulated with a corresponding marker on the floor, etc. Laterally of the base element 161 or connected thereto, a fastener 162 of the golf practice device 160 is provided which is spatially fixed. This fastener 162 is coupled or connected to the base element 161 and is adapted for detachably and immovably fastening a corresponding fastener 163 of a ball-rope module 170 which will be explained in more detail below.
The module 170 for the practice device 160 comprises the golf ball 105, the fastener 163 for detachably fastening the module 170 to the practice device 160, and a rope 171 connecting the golf ball 105 to the fastener 163. As can be taken from Fig. 1, the fastener 163 is clicked into the fastener 162 so that the module 170 is securely and immovably fastened at the golf practice device 160. Therefore, a moving distance of the ball 105 after being hit by the user 101 is restricted by an area which is defined by the length of the rope 171.
Before a user enjoys a golf play with the apparatus 160, he or she clicks the fastener 163 into the fastener 162 to fasten the ball-rope module 170 to the golf practice device 160. The golf diagnosis apparatus 100 may capture images of the stroke of the golf ball 105 at the first centimetres or decimetres of the stroke and may then evaluate a performance, for instance a stroke of a golf player 101 hitting the ball 105 of the module 170.
An energy-absorbing wall 175 is provided and is arranged essentially perpendicularly extending (that is to say perpendicular to the paper plane of Fig. 1) with regard to the base element 161 and adapted for absorbing mechanical energy of the ball 105 after a stroke performed by the player 101.
As can further be taken from Fig. 1, an RFID tag 177 is embedded in or is attached to the module 170. When a stroke of the ball 105 has been detected by the CPU 113, the CPU 113 transmits a corresponding information via the wireless communication interface 125 to be transmitted to the RFID tag 177. The RFID tag 177 therefore stores the number of golf shots which have been performed in history with this module 170. When a number of 100 golf shots with the module 170 has been exceeded, the RFID tag 177 transmits, via the wireless communication interface 125, a corresponding information which can be received by the CPU 113. In response to such a detection signal, a locking mechanism 179 which is usually located on or below the level of the plate-like base element 161, is elevated so as to be positioned as a barrier between the golf ball 105 and the energy-absorbing wall 175, thereby preventing that the user 101 continues the golf play with this module 170. Before continuing the golf play, the user 101 has to install a new ball-rope unit 170 breaking of the ball 105 cannot securely be excluded after this predefined number of strokes.
A putting hole 180 may be provided in the base element 161 to allow a user 101 to practice putting. Such a putting mode may be input by the user via the input device 119 so that the time interval between the flashes 116, 117 can be adjusted correspondingly to the reduced velocity during putting as compared to a free stroke.
Fig. 2 again shows the module 170 having the fastener 163 which has the shape of a half golf ball.
In this configuration, the fastener 162 should be shaped and dimensioned to receive the half golf ball 163 which may then be securely connected to the fastener 162 by a click in-connection, etc.
Fig. 3 shows a three-dimensional view of a golf practice device 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
The golf practice device 300 further comprises a protection wall 310 arranged essentially perpendicular with regard to the base element 161 and with regard to the energy-absorbing wall 175, thereby forming a box-like arrangement.
A table portion 320 may allow a user to position any auxiliary component on this table-like component 320 such as a laptop for displaying the results of a golf diagnosis, a drink, a mobile phone, etc.
As can further be taken from Fig. 3, the base element 161 comprises a groove 330 for receiving the rope 171 of the module 170. The groove 330 comprises a straight portion 335 along which a portion of the rope 171 adjacent to the ball 105 is receivable, and comprises an angled portion 337 along which a portion of the rope 171 adjacent to the fastener 163 is receivable. This may guide the rope 171/the ball 105 after a hit to a secure direction.
A mounting section 340 is provided and adapted for mounting a golf diagnosis apparatus (see Fig. 4). Wheels 360 are provided to conveniently transport the device 300.
Fig. 4 shows a golf practice device similar to the device 300 of Fig. 3 in an operation state in which a golf diagnosis apparatus 400 (such as the Golf Optimizer of the Friend for Golfers GmbH) has been installed on the mount 340.
In the embodiment of Fig. 4, the table-like portion 320 has been installed at a position to simultaneously contribute to the protection of the box-like arrangement in a vertical direction of Fig. 4.
Fig. 5 shows the golf practice device 300 of Fig. 3 in an operation mode in which a part of the components has been disassembled from the device 300.
Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 show the golf practice device 300 in other operation states in which the individual components have been folded together.
In the folded configurations of Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, it is possible to transport the golf practice device 300 or to store the golf practice device 300 in a space-saving manner.
In the following, referring to Fig. 8 , a golf practice system 800 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention will be explained.
In the embodiment of Fig. 8, two golf practice devices 300 as explained above are shown communicating via wired or wireless communication paths 813, 816 via the public Internet 810. Therefore, players being located at different places may enjoy a network coupled golf game. Optionally, a control unit 830 may be provided for controlling operation of the communicatively coupled practice devices 300, 300. However, alternatively, the control unit 830 may also be provided in one or both of the practice devices 300. The control unit 830 may assign a score to a performance of the users operating the individual practice devices 300, 300. Corresponding information for calculating such a score may be provided by the golf diagnosis apparatuses 400 of the practice devices 300. Particularly, the users of the golf practice devices 300 may enjoy a golf competition, wherein the loser of the competition has to pay some money to the winning user. This can also be controlled via the control unit 830 ensuring that a credit card number of the users of the practice devices 300 is known to ensure that the money will be transferred.
It should be noted that the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or features and the "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Also elements described in association with different embodiments may be combined.
It should also be noted that reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

A module for a practice device, the module comprising
a movable object shaped as a ball;
a first fastening element adapted for being detachably and immovably fastened to a second fastening element of the practice device;
a flexible element connecting the movable object to the first fastening element.
The module of claim 1,
wherein the movable object is a golf ball.
The module of claim 1 or 2,
wherein the flexible element is a rope.
The module of any one of claims 1 to 3,
comprising a communication unit, particularly a radio frequency identification tag, adapted to store information indicative of a number of past motion events of the movable object and adapted to transmit a communication message to a communication partner device, particularly to the practice device, indicating that the number of past motion events of the movable object has exceeded a predefined threshold value.
A practice device, the practice device comprising
a base element;
a second fastening element adapted for being detachably and immovably fastened to a first fastening element of a module of any one of claims 1 to 4.
The practice device of claim 5,
comprising a module of any one of claims 1 to 4;
wherein the first fastening element and the second fastening element are designed to correspond to one another.
The practice device of claim 5 or 6,
adapted as a golf practice device.
The practice device of any one of claims 5 to 7,
comprising a golf diagnosis apparatus for evaluating a performance, particularly a stroke, of a golf player hitting the movable object of the module.
The practice device of claim 8,
wherein the golf diagnosis apparatus comprises at least one of the group consisting of an imaging apparatus adapted to capture an image of at least one of the group consisting of the movable object and an apparatus hitting the movable object, a power supply unit for supplying at least a part of the golf diagnosis apparatus with electrical energy, an optical display unit for displaying golf diagnosis related information, a user interface unit for allowing a user to communicate with at least a part of the golf diagnosis apparatus, and a data evaluation unit for evaluating golf diagnosis related data.
The practice device of any one of claims 5 to 9,
comprising an energy-absorbing wall having a surface plane being angled relative to a
surface plane of the base element, particularly arranged essentially perpendicular with regard to the base element, and adapted for absorbing mechanical energy of the movable object when being hit by an apparatus.
The practice device of claim 10,
comprising a protection wall having a surface plane being angled relative to the surface plane of the base element and relative to the surface plane of the energy-absorbing wall, particularly arranged essentially perpendicular with regard to the base element and with regard to the energy-absorbing wall.
The practice device of any one of claims 5 to 11,
comprising a locking mechanism being movable relative to the base element and being adapted to be moved into a stroke direction when a number of past motion events of the movable object of the module has exceeded a predefined threshold value.
The practice device of claim 12,
wherein the locking mechanism is adapted to be moved into the stroke direction upon receipt of a communication message transmitted by a communication unit of the module to a communication partner device indicating that the number of past motion events of the movable object of the module has exceeded the predefined threshold value.
The practice device of any one of claims 5 to 13,
wherein the base element comprises a putting hole.
The practice device of any one of claims 5 to 14,
comprising a golf simulation unit adapted for simulating a golf play based on a hit of the movable object by a golf club.
The practice device of any one of claims 5 to 15,
wherein the second fastening element is adapted for being fastened to the first fastening element by at least one of the group consisting of a click connection, a mechanical snap-in connection, a magnetic connection, and a slide connection.
The practice device of any one of claims 5 to 16,
wherein the base element comprises a groove adapted for receiving the flexible element of the module.
The practice device of claim 17,
wherein the groove comprises a straight portion along which a portion of the flexible element adjacent to the movable object is receivable, and comprises an angled portion along which a portion of the flexible element adjacent to the first fastening element is receivable.
The practice device of any one of claims 5 to 18,
comprising a mounting section shaped and designed for mounting a golf diagnosis apparatus.
The practice device of any one of claims 5 to 19,
adapted to be disassemblable into separate components.
The practice device of any one of claims 5 to 20,
adapted to be foldable into a flat configuration.
The practice device of any one of claims 5 to 21,
adapted as a portable practice device.
A practice system, the practice system comprising
a plurality of communicatively coupled practice devices of any one of claims 5 to 22.
The practice system of claim 23,
wherein the plurality of communicatively coupled practice devices are coupled for data exchange via a network, particularly via the public Internet.
The practice system of claim 23 or 24,
comprising a control unit adapted for controlling operation of the plurality of communicatively coupled practice devices.
The practice system of claim 25,
wherein the control unit is adapted for assigning a score to a performance of users operating the individual practice devices.
The practice system of claim 26,
wherein the control unit is adapted for determining an amount of money to be transferred between the users based on the assigned score.