Joseph A Bianco

US Patent:

6144921, Nov 7, 2000

Filed:

Nov 17, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/193762

Inventors:

Joseph A. Bianco - Deep River CT
Curtis A. Vock - Boulder CO
John V. Bianco - Jamaica Plain MA

International Classification:

G01S 514

US Classification:

701213

Abstract:

A portable distance tracking system for use by a player on a playing field wherein the playing field includes at least a first landmark and wherein the system comprises at least one mobile interface unit. The mobile interface unit includes a memory element, position interface electronics, a data processor, and a player interface. The memory element stores digitized map representations of playing fields. The position interface electronics receive position indicative signals from and external source, wherein the position indicative signals are representative of a geographical location of the mobile interface unit. The data processor couples to the memory element and to the position interface electronics and correlates the geographical location to a field location of said mobile interface unit on said playing field. The processor also determines the distance from the mobile interface unit to the first landmark. The player interface is coupled to the data process and communicates the distance between the mobile interface unit and the first landmark to the player According to a preferred embodiment, the playing field is a golf course and the first landmark is a flag location at a select hole on the golf course.

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:

62632795, Jul 17, 2001

Filed:

Nov 17, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/193762

Inventors:

Joseph A. Bianco - Deep River CT
Curtis A. Vock - Boulder CO
John V. Bianco - Jamaica Plain MA

International Classification:

G01S 514

US Classification:

701213

Abstract:

A portable distance tracking system for use by a player on a playing field wherein the playing field includes at least a first landmark and wherein the system comprises at least one mobile interface unit. The mobile interface unit includes a memory element, position interface electronics, a data processor, and a player interface. The memory element stores digitized map representations of playing fields. The position interface electronics receive position indicative signals from and external source, wherein the position indicative signals are representative of a geographical location of the mobile interface unit. The data processor couples to the memory element and to the position interface electronics and correlates the geographical location to a field location of said mobile interface unit on said playing field. The processor also determines the distance from the mobile interface unit to the first landmark. The player interface is coupled to the data process and communicates the distance between the mobile interface unit and the first landmark to the player.

US Patent:

54385180, Aug 1, 1995

Filed:

Jan 19, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/183594

Inventors:

Joseph A. Bianco - Middletown CT
Curtis A. Vock - Salem MA
John V. Bianco - Jamaica Plain MA

International Classification:

G01S 514
A63B 7106
A63B 5700

US Classification:

364460

Abstract:

The invention relates to a portable distance tracking system for use by a player on a playing field. The system includes a mobile interface unit that has a memory element, position interface electronics, a data processor, and a player interface. The memory element stores digitized map representations of playing fields. The position interface electronics receivers position indicative signals that are representative of a geographical location of the mobile unit from an external source. The data processor couples to the memory element and to the position interface electronics and correlates the geographical location to a field location of the mobile interface unit on the playing field. The processor also determines the distance from the mobile interface unit to a first landmark. The player interface is coupled to the data processor and communicates the distance between the mobile interface unit and the first landmark to the player.

Author:

Joseph Lo Bianco

ISBN #:

0230019196

Author:

Joseph Lo Bianco

ISBN #:

0644061189

Author:

Joseph Lo Bianco

ISBN #:

9027241236

Author:

Joseph Bianco

ISBN #:

0130418706

Author:

Joseph Bianco

ISBN #:

0130479756