One camera club monitor

• US 20050159231A1
• Filed: 01/20/2004
• Published: 07/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Gobush, William
• Granted Patent: US 7,744,480 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/131
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0031 at the starting point
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/05 Image processing for measuring physical parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/807 Photo cameras
• 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 69/3658 Means associated with the ball for indicating or measuring, e.g. speed, direction

Abstract

This application relates to a single camera monitoring system useful for determining parameters relating to a striking instrument as it approaches an object. The monitoring system may be used to determine the swing characteristics of a golf club as it approaches and impacts with a golf ball. The accuracy of the single camera system may be comparable to the accuracy of more complex, multi-camera systems. The application also relates to methods for calibrating a single camera system.

Claims

8-1. The system of claim 1, further comprising an electronic light source that emits light in two flashes onto the instrument and object.

27. A method of monitoring the movement of a striking instrument that impacts with an object comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a single camera unit having a light sensitive panel that is capable of being focused on a first field of view;

(b) placing a striking instrument having a first plurality of contrasting areas within the first field of view of the single camera unit to provide a first perspective view of the striking instrument and first plurality of contrasting images;

(c) capturing a first image of the first perspective view of the striking instrument and first plurality of contrasting areas;

(d) providing a second perspective view of the striking instrument and first plurality of contrasting area;

(e) capturing a second image of the second perspective view of the striking instrument and first plurality of contrasting areas;

(f) analyzing the first plurality of contrasting areas in the first and second images of the striking instrument to determine their three-dimensional positions.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the first perspective view of the striking instrument and first plurality of contrasting areas differs from the second perspective view of the striking instrument and first plurality of contrasting areas from about 5 to about 10 degrees.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the step of providing a second perspective view of the striking instrument and first plurality of contrasting areas comprises repositioning the striking instrument.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the step of providing a second perspective view of the striking instrument and first plurality of contrasting areas further comprises maintaining the first field of view of the camera.

31. The method of claim 27, further comprising the steps of:

providing a calibration fixture having a second plurality of contrasting areas, wherein the three-dimensional positions of the second plurality of contrasting areas on the calibration fixture are known relative to each other;

placing the calibration fixture within the first field of view of the single camera unit to provide a first perspective view of the calibration fixture and second plurality of contrasting area;

capturing a first image of the first perspective view of the calibration fixture and second plurality of contrasting areas;

providing a second perspective view of the calibration fixture and second plurality of contrasting areas;

capturing a second image of the second perspective view of the calibration fixture and second plurality of contrasting areas;

analyzing the second plurality of contrasting areas in the first and second images of the calibration fixture to create a three-dimensional global coordinate system.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein a first axis of the global coordinate system is parallel to gravity, a second axis of the global coordinate system is directed toward a target, and a third axis of the global coordinate system is orthogonal to the first and second axes.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the steps of capturing the first image of the first perspective view of the striking instrument and capturing the first image of the first perspective view of the calibration fixture are performed at the same time.

34. The method of claim 27, further comprising the steps of:

providing a calibration attachment having a third plurality of contrasting areas, wherein the three-dimensional positions of the third plurality of contrasting areas on the calibration fixture are known relative to each other;

placing the calibration attachment on a striking face of the striking instrument so that the first and second captured images of the first and second perspective views of the striking instrument and first plurality of contrasting areas further comprise images of the third plurality of contrasting areas; and

removing the calibration attachment from the strking face.