Joseph A Bianco

US Patent:

20050012023, Jan 20, 2005

Filed:

Aug 9, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/914259

Inventors:

Curtis Vock - Salem MA, US
Kevin Grealish - Westwood MA, US
Robert Frey - Bolton MA, US
Dennis Darcy - Dracut MA, US
Joseph Bianco - Deep River CT, US

International Classification:

G01C021/02
H01L027/00

US Classification:

250206100, 250208100

Abstract:

The invention monitors the driving range and tracks golf balls from users at the driving range and informs those users of characteristics such as driving distance. A solid state camera images the range, and preferably one or more tee-off positions, and collects frames of image data to track a ball's motion through space. Simulation routines augment that track and assist in isolating the start location as well as where the ball lands, or would have landed had it not been obstructed (e.g., by a net). Preferably, the invention also determines the ball's position in 3-D to increase the accuracy. In one technique, two or more solid state cameras are used, and synchronized, to specify stereoscopic imaging. In another technique, the ball's energy or physical extent is used to determine an absolute distance between the camera and the ball. A computer at the club house monitors the entire system and further manages a network including an array of displays at the several tee off positions. The computer thus sends information such as distance to the several users via the network.

US Patent:

57985197, Aug 25, 1998

Filed:

Feb 12, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/800203

Inventors:

Curtis A. Vock - Salem MA
Kevin J. Grealish - Westwood MA
Robert D. Frey - Bolton MA
Dennis Darcy - Dracut MA
Joseph Bianco - Deep River CT

Assignee:

Golf Age Technologies, Inc. - Westwood MA

International Classification:

G01C 2102
A63B 6936

US Classification:

2502061

Abstract:

The invention monitors the driving range and tracks golf balls from users at the driving range and informs those users of characteristics such as driving distance. A solid state camera images the range, and preferably one or more tee-off positions, and collects frames of image data to track a ball's motion through space. Simulation routines augment that track and assist in isolating the start location as well as where the ball lands, or would have landed had it not been obstructed (e. g. , by a net). Preferably, the invention also determines the ball's position in 3-D to increase the accuracy. In one technique, two or more solid state cameras are used, and synchronized, to specify stereoscopic imaging. In another technique, the ball's energy or physical extent is used to determine an absolute distance between the camera and the ball. A computer at the club house monitors the entire system and further manages a network including an array of displays at the several tee off positions.

US Patent:

63201739, Nov 20, 2001

Filed:

May 15, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/571100

Inventors:

Curtis A. Vock - Salem MA
Kevin J. Grealish - Westwood MA
Robert D. Frey - Bolton MA
Dennis Darcy - Dracut MA
Joseph Bianco - Deep River CT

International Classification:

A63B 6936
G01C 2100

US Classification:

2502061

Abstract:

The invention monitors the driving range and tracks golf balls from users at the driving range and informs those users of characteristics such as driving distance. A solid state camera images the range, and preferably one or more tee-off positions, and collects frames of image data to track a ball's motion through space. Simulation routines augment that track and assist in isolating the start location as well as where the ball lands, or would have landed had it not been obstructed (e. g. , by a net). Preferably, the invention also determines the ball's position in 3-D to increase the accuracy. In one technique, two or more solid state cameras are used, and synchronized, to specify stereoscopic imaging. In another technique, the ball's energy or physical extent is used to determine an absolute distance between the camera and the ball. A computer at the club house monitors the entire system and further manages a network including an array of displays at the several tee off positions.

US Patent:

60939230, Jul 25, 2000

Filed:

Aug 21, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/138166

Inventors:

Curtis A. Vock - Salem MA
Kevin J. Grealish - Westwood MA
Robert D. Frey - Bolton MA
Dennis Darcy - Dracut MA
Joseph Bianco - Deep River CT

Assignee:

Golf Age Technologies, Inc. - Westwood MA

International Classification:

A63B 6936
G01C 2100

US Classification:

2502061

Abstract:

The invention monitors the driving range and tracks golf balls from users at the driving range and informs those users of characteristics such as driving distance. A solid state camera images the range, and preferably one or more tee-off positions, and collects frames of image data to track a ball's motion through space. Simulation routines augment that track and assist in isolating the start location as well as where the ball lands, or would have landed had it not been obstructed (e. g. , by a net). Preferably, the invention also determines the ball's position in 3-D to increase the accuracy. In one technique, two or more solid state cameras are used, and synchronized, to specify stereoscopic imaging. In another technique, the ball's energy or physical extent is used to determine an absolute distance between the camera and the ball. A computer at the club house monitors the entire system and further manages a network including an array of displays at the several tee off positions.

US Patent:

40729443, Feb 7, 1978

Filed:

Feb 20, 1969

Appl. No.:

4/808034

Inventors:

Joseph F. Bianco - Wakefield MA
Nicholas Senio - Bedford MA
Russell B. Hawes - Nashua NH
Donald B. Strang - Harvard MA

Assignee:

Sanders Associates, Inc. - Nashua NH

International Classification:

F42C 1304
G01S 942

US Classification:

343 7PF

Abstract:

Apparatus is herein disclosed for imminent collision detection equipment for acknowledging proximity between a first object carrying the equipment and a second object. The imminent collision detection apparatus is a radio distance measuring device and includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter has a pulsed energy output which is reflected back by a target and mixed with a reference source of pulsed energy generated a predetermined time after the transmitted output and coherent thereto. The coherent feature of the equipment lies in the fact that the transmitter pulsed output and the pulsed reference signals are both generated with the same starting phase each generated pulse. Furthermore, the transmitted and reference signals are jittered to provide a resistance to countermeasures capability.