Performance measurement system with fluorescent markers for golf equipment

• US 20030130054A1
• Filed: 12/19/2002
• Published: 07/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/1992
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Lutz, Mitchell E., Pelletier, Diane I., Bissonnette, Laurent C., Gobush, William
• Granted Patent: US 7,291,072 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/199
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0028 Tracking the path of an object, e.g. a ball inside a soccer pitch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0031 at the starting point
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0034 during flight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/05 Image processing for measuring physical parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/35 Spin
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/807 Photo cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/808 Microphones
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0003 Analysing the course of a movement or motion sequences during an exercise or trainings sequence, e.g. swing for golf or tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/008 with means for improving visibility, e.g. special markings or colours illuminating or reflecting means A63B43/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/06 with illuminating devices ; with reflective surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/42 Devices for measuring, verifying, correcting or customising the inherent characteristics of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like, e.g. measuring the maximum torque a batting shaft can withstand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/54 with means for damping vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3614 using electro-magnetic, magnetic or ultrasonic radiation emitted, reflected or interrupted by the golf club
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3623 for driving A63B69/3608, A63B69/3658, A63B69/3661, A63B69/3667 and A63B69/3691 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3658 : Means associated with the ball for indicating or measuring, e.g. speed, direction
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 : Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/38 : using photographic means
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/40 : using stroboscopic means
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 11/12 : using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/18 : wherein range gates are used
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/50 : Systems of measurement based on relative movement of target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/66 : Tracking systems using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/89 : for mapping or imaging

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a monitor system that measures flight characteristics of at least one object moving in a predetermined field-of-view using at least one fluorescent marker. The system may include a lighting unit with a light filter, at least one camera unit with a camera filter. The lighting unit directs light in the direction of the object. If there is a light filter the light is filtered prior to reaching the object. The camera unit is pointed toward the object and the camera filter inhibits all wavelengths except those in a certain range. The reflected light from the object is transmitted to the camera through the camera filter. In one embodiment, the system includes a camera filter that is electronically switchable between at least two colors. The present invention further includes methods for monitoring at least one object with at least one marker using filters.

Claims

1. A monitor system for measuring kinematics of at least one object, comprising:

a light source; and

a camera;

wherein the at least one object has fluorescent markers arranged thereon according to a pattern such that the pattern is symmetric only after being rotated through an angle a, wherein a is greater than 72°

.

2. The monitor system of claim 1, wherein the markers are arranged on the object such that the angle α

is at least approximately 90°

.

3. The monitor system of claim 1, wherein the markers are arranged on the object such that the angle α

is at least approximately 120°

.

4. The monitor system of claim 1, wherein the markers are arranged on the object such that the angle α

is at least approximately 180°

.

5. The monitor system of claim 1, wherein the markers are arranged on the object such that the angle α

is approximately 360°

.

6. The monitor system of claim 1, further comprising a wireless communication device.

7. A monitor system for measuring kinematics of at least one object, comprising:

a lighting unit;

a camera unit,

a computing device,

a wireless communication device having a data transfer rate; and

a trigger.

8. The monitor system of claim 7, wherein the lighting unit includes a light filter.

9. The monitor system of claim 7, wherein the lighting unit includes a light source that produces a narrow spectrum of light.

10. The monitor system of claim 7, wherein the data transfer rate of the wireless communication device is about 10 Mb/s or greater.

11. The monitor system of claim 7, wherein the data transfer rate of the wireless communication device is about than 100 Mb/s or greater.

12. The monitor system of claim 7, wherein the wireless communication device conforms to IEEE 802.11.

13. The monitor system of claim 7, wherein the camera unit includes a camera filter.

14. The monitor system of claim 13, wherein the camera filter is a band pass filter.

15. The monitor system of claim 13, wherein the camera filter is a switchable filter.

16. The monitor system of claim 7, wherein the trigger is an acoustically activated trigger.

17. The monitor system of claim 7, wherein the trigger is a position activated trigger.

18. The monitor system of claim 17, wherein the trigger is an optically activated trigger.

19. The monitor system of claim 7, wherein the object has fluorescent markers arranged thereon according to a pattern such that the pattern is symmetric only after being rotated through an angle α

, wherein α

is greater than 72°

.

20. A method of calculating the trajectory of an object based on flight characteristics measured while the object is moving in a predetermined field-of-view, comprising:

providing a portable launch monitor system having a first camera unit pointed toward the predetermined field-of-view, the launch monitor system being coupled to a support structure for allowing easy transport thereof;

providing a pattern of fluorescent markers arranged on the object according to a pattern such that the pattern is symmetric only after being rotated through an angle α

, α

being greater than 72°

;

taking at least two images of the object while in the predetermined field-of-view, the at least two images taken at two different times;

determining the locations and orientations of the object in the predetermined field-of-view from the images;

calculating launch conditions of the object from the locations and orientations of the object; and

calculating the trajectory of the object from the calculated launch conditions.

21. The monitor system of claim 20, wherein the markers are arranged on the object such that the angle α

is at least approximately 90°

.

22. The monitor system of claim 20, wherein the markers are arranged on the object such that the angle α

is at least approximately 120°

.

23. The monitor system of claim 20, wherein the markers are arranged on the object such that the angle α

is at least approximately 180°

.

24. The monitor system of claim 20, wherein the markers are arranged on the object such that the angle α

is approximately 360°

.