Karl B Schmidt

US Patent:

6375580, Apr 23, 2002

Filed:

Aug 29, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/650710

Inventors:

Karl Schmidt - Wauwatosa WI
Ralph Marshall - Saratosa FL

Assignee:

Gerd Petrik - Sarasota FL

International Classification:

A63B 5700

US Classification:

473137, 473132, 473134, 473136

Abstract:

An automatic golf ball dispensing device includes a base, motor, drive link, slide arm, pivot arm, control circuit, dispenser cover, and handle. The base preferably includes two pivot feet on a first end and an adjustable foot on a second end thereof. One end of a drive arm is connected to the shaft of the motor. The other end of the drive arm is pivotally attached to a first end of the drive link. A second end of the drive link is pivotally attached to a second end of the slide arm. The slide arm is slidably attached to a top of the base. A ball stop is formed on a first end of the slide arm and a notch is formed under the ball stop. A first end of the pivot arm is sized to fit under the notch such that the pivot arm is level relative to the top of the base. A ball support extends from a first end of the pivot arm. A bottom of the dispenser cover is attached to a top of the base.

US Patent:

6384908, May 7, 2002

Filed:

May 24, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/317052

Inventors:

Karl B. Schmidt - Wauwatosa WI
Brian S. R. Armstrong - Milwaukee WI

Assignee:

Go Sensors, LLC - Sarasota FL

International Classification:

G01B 1126

US Classification:

3561523, 35613903, 3561522

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for producing orientation dependent radiation, and orientation detection systems are disclosed. An orientation dependent radiation source directs radiation to an observation area and facilitates a determination of the orientation of the orientation dependent source from the observation area. In particular, the orientation dependent source produces a radiation pattern having one or more detectable centroids that vary in position across an observation surface of the orientation dependent source as observed from the observation area, based on a rotation of the orientation dependent source about one or more axes of rotation. According to various embodiments, the orientation dependent radiation source may include one or more primary radiation sources or secondary sources, such as reflectors. One or more orientation dependent sources may be employed in an orientation detection system according to the invention which includes a radiation sensor located in the observation area to detect the orientation dependent radiation pattern produced by one or more orientation dependent radiation sources. Additionally, the radiation pattern produced by an orientation dependent source may be visibly observable, allowing an observer to qualitatively determine the orientation of the source from the observation area.

US Patent:

6447403, Sep 10, 2002

Filed:

Sep 11, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/659229

Inventors:

Karl B. Schmidt - Wauwatosa WI 53226

International Classification:

A63B 6936

US Classification:

473251, 473294, 473313, 473330, 473340, 473409

Abstract:

An improved method of swinging a putter includes an improved putter and a swinging stance of specific features. The elements of the swinging method include gripping the putter in the traditional fashion, securing at least one hand or a butt end of the hand grip against some part of the lower body, moving the putter head back through an arcuate path, and retracing the arcuate path to strike the golf ball. The improved putter includes a putter head attached to one end of the shaft, and hand grip attached to the other end of the shaft. In a second embodiment, the shaft extends from the putter head at an angle of between 35 to 85 degrees from the vertical axis.

US Patent:

6523533, Feb 25, 2003

Filed:

Nov 17, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/715883

Inventors:

Brian S. R. Armstrong - Shorewood WI 53211
Karl B. Schmidt - Wauwatosa WI 53226

International Classification:

F41B 300

US Classification:

124 6, 473451

Abstract:

A high precision ball launch system includes a major link, minor link, drive device, ball release mechanism, and support base. The major link is pivotally attached to the support base and rotated about a major axis by the drive device. A minor axis of the minor link is pivotally attached to one end of the major link. The ball release mechanism is attached to one end of the minor link. The ball release mechanism is preferably positioned on the minor link such that a center of the ball passes through the major axis. The major link is rotated in one direction and the minor link is rotated in the opposite direction. A second embodiment of the high precision ball launch system includes a pair of linear translating drive surfaces, at least one drive device, and a carriage. Each linear translating drive surface includes a linear drive surface, a drive wheel, and an idler wheel. A first linear translating drive surface and a second linear translating drive surface are mounted to the carriage such that the ball may be propelled therethrough.

US Patent:

20040233461, Nov 25, 2004

Filed:

Jun 9, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/865733

Inventors:

Brian Armstrong - Shorewood WI, US
Karl Schmidt - Wauwatosa WI, US

International Classification:

G01B011/14

US Classification:

356/620000

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for measuring orientation and distance. In one example, an orientation dependent radiation source emanates radiation having at least one detectable property that varies as a function of a rotation of the orientation dependent radiation source and/or an observation distance from the orientation dependent radiation source (e.g., a distance between the source and a radiation detection device). In one particular example, the rotation of the source is determined from a position or phase of the orientation dependent radiation on an observation surface of the source, and the observation distance between the source and the detection device is determined from a spatial frequency of the orientation dependent radiation. In another example, an image metrology reference target is provided that when placed in a scene of interest facilitates image analysis for various measurement purposes. Such a reference target may include automatic detection means for facilitating an automatic detection of the reference target in an image of the reference target obtained by a camera, and bearing determination means for facilitating a determination of position and/or orientation of the reference target with respect to the camera. In one example, the bearing determination means of the reference target includes one or more orientation dependent radiation sources.

US Patent:

20070001106, Jan 4, 2007

Filed:

Oct 4, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/265798

Inventors:

Karl Schmidt - Wauwatosa WI, US
Paul Glenn - Wellesley MA, US
Steven Mersch - Germantown OH, US

International Classification:

G06M 7/00
G02F 1/01

US Classification:

250225000, 250221000

Abstract:

Methods, apparatus, and systems for providing feedback to a subject in connection with a performance of a task, such as a movement task. The movement task may involve an operation or movement of an object by the subject, such as a body part or a sporting implement. During the movement task, the object has an expected motion path that is associated with one or more target areas. Behavior control feedback may be provided to the subject based on one or more of a position of the object, a motion of the object and an orientation of the object relative to one or more target areas as the subject performs the movement task. One example of an apparatus for providing behavior control feedback includes one or more radiation sources, one or more radiation detectors, and one or more indicators, any of which may be coupled to or otherwise integrated with the object. The object is operated to perform the movement task such that radiation emitted from a source of the apparatus impinges on one or more target areas covered with one or more reflectors. A radiation detector of the apparatus detects radiation that is reflected from the target areas, and an indicator coupled to the detector provides the behavior control feedback to the subject based on the detected radiation.

US Patent:

20110090487, Apr 21, 2011

Filed:

Dec 3, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/004055

Inventors:

Karl B. Schmidt - Wauwatosa WI, US
Paul E. Glenn - Wellesley MA, US
Steven H. Mersch - Germantown OH, US

International Classification:

G01B 11/26
H01J 40/14

US Classification:

3561521, 250221, 250225

Abstract:

Methods, apparatus, and systems for providing feedback to a subject in connection with a performance of a task, such as a movement task. The movement task may involve an operation or movement of an object by the subject, such as a body part or a sporting implement. During the movement task, the object has an expected motion path that is associated with one or more target areas. Behavior control feedback may be provided to the subject based on one or more of a position of the object, a motion of the object and an orientation of the object relative to one or more target areas as the subject performs the movement task. One example of an apparatus for providing behavior control feedback includes one or more radiation sources, one or more radiation detectors, and one or more indicators, any of which may be coupled to or otherwise integrated with the object. The object is operated to perform the movement task such that radiation emitted from a source of the apparatus impinges on one or more target areas covered with one or more reflectors. A radiation detector of the apparatus detects radiation that is is reflected from the target areas, and an indicator coupled to the detector provides the behavior control feedback to the subject based on the detected radiation.

US Patent:

59367229, Aug 10, 1999

Filed:

Aug 15, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/698357

Inventors:

Brian S. R. Armstrong - Shorewood WI
Karl B. Schmidt - Sarasota FL

International Classification:

G01B 1126

US Classification:

35613903

Abstract:

An apparatus and system for determining the angular orientation of an object comprised of a light source directing an optically detectable beam of light at an orientation dependent reflector coupled to an object whereupon a light sensor positioned adjacent the light source detects the reflected optically detectable beam of light from the orientation dependent reflector and determines the centroid of reflection thereon from which the angular orientation of an object throughout a range of rotation about at least one axis of rotation is obtained.