Launch monitor

• US 20050272512A1
• Filed: 06/07/2004
• Published: 12/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Bissonnette, Laurent, Pelletier, Diane I., Gribben, Douglas Alan, Lentz, Paul, Gobush, William, Toupin, Michael J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,837,572 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/151
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0012 Comparing movements or motion sequences with a registered reference
• 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 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/35 Spin
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/807 Photo cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• 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 24/0006 Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• 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 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

Abstract

A launch monitor that includes substantially all of its functional components on or within a housing is disclosed. In one embodiment, the launch monitor is capable of being transported and used in any desired location. One or more camera'"'"'s, flashes, and triggers may be used to acquire images of a golf club and golf ball. The launch monitor is preferably capable of receiving and transmitting data over a wireless network. Acquired images and other data may be analyzed by a processor, and then displayed using an LED, LCD or other type of display or printer. The launch monitor may “recognize” a plurality of golf clubs and golf balls based on an optical fingerprint. The optical fingerprints, which are preferably stored in a memory, allow the launch monitor to identify a golf club and/or ball substantially soon after they are placed in the field of view of the monitor Optical fingerprinting enables automatic record keeping, and storing performance data and equipment used simultaneously. This feature eliminates tedious record keeping, eliminates data entry errors, and enables rapid equipment optimization.

Claims

1. A method for determining club and ball kinematics, comprising the steps of:

providing an apparatus comprising;

a camera system capable of acquiring a plurality of images of a field of view; and

a processor capable of running an operating system; and

providing a network capability capable of interacting with the operating system;

wherein the network is capable of interacting with remote data processing devices.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the network comprises a wireless network.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the network is capable of transferring data at a rate of 1 Mbps or more.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the network is capable of transferring data at a rate of 5 Mbps or more.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the network is capable of transferring data at a rate of 10 Mbps or more.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the remote data processing devices comprise a computer.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the remote data processing devices include a display device.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the network comprises a standard Ethernet connection.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the network capability comprises a telephone modem.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the network is capable of transferring data to a central server to display at least one of the golfer'"'"'s characteristics, club characteristics, ball characteristics, ball trajectory, or equipment comparison.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the network is capable of transmitting transaction information to a central server, wherein the transaction information comprises an equipment order, financial information of a purchaser, a shipping address, or salesperson information.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the network is capable of transmitting order confirmation information to the apparatus.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the network is capable of updating software for the operating system.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the network is capable of transferring data to multiple data consumers.

15. An apparatus for determining golf club and ball kinematics, comprising:

a camera system capable of acquiring a plurality of images of a field of view; and

a networking device capable of interacting with a processor;

wherein the networking device is capable of interacting with a remote data processing device.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the networking device comprises a wireless network device.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the networking device is capable of transferring data at a rate of 1 Mbps or more.

18. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the networking device is capable of transferring data at a rate of 5 Mbps or more.

19. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the networking device is capable of transferring data at a rate of 10 Mbps or more.

20. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the remote data processing device comprises a computer.

21. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the remote data processing device comprises an electronic display.

22. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the networking device comprises a standard Ethernet connection.

23. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the networking device comprises a telephone modem.

24. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the networking device is capable of transferring data to a central server to display at least one of golfer characteristics, club characteristics, ball characteristics, ball trajectory, and equipment comparison.

25. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the networking device is capable of automatic software updates.

26. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the networking device is capable of transferring data to multiple data consumers.

27. An apparatus for determining golf club and ball kinematics, comprising:

a camera system capable of acquiring a plurality of images of a field of view; and

a wireless networking device capable of interacting with a processor;

wherein the wireless networking device is capable of interacting with a remote data processing device.

28. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the wireless networking device is capable of transferring data at a rate of 1 Mbps or more.

29. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the wireless networking device is capable of transferring data at a rate of 5 Mbps or more.

30. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the wireless networking device is capable of transferring data at a rate of 10 Mbps or more.

31. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the remote data processing device comprises a computer.

32. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the remote data processing device comprises an electronic display.

33. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the wireless networking device is capable of transferring data to a central server to display at least one of a golfer'"'"'s characteristics, club characteristics, ball characteristics, ball trajectory, or equipment comparison.

34. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the wireless networking device is capable of performing software updates.

35. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the wireless networking device is capable of transferring data to multiple data consumers.

36. A method for determining the kinematics of one or more objects, comprising the steps of:

providing an apparatus comprising;

providing a camera system capable of acquiring a plurality of images of a field of view; and

providing a processor capable of running an operating system;

providing a network capability capable of interacting with the operating system;

wherein the network is capable of interacting with remote data processing devices; and

automatically identifying the objects.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein the step of automatically identifying comprises:

storing image reference information for a plurality of golf objects;

acquiring an image of at least one golf club or ball in motion; and

automatically identifying the at least one golf club or ball based on a comparison to the stored image reference information.

38. The method according to claim 36, wherein the network comprises a wireless network.

39. The method according to claim 36, wherein the network is capable of transferring data at a rate of 1 Mbps or more.

40. The method according to claim 36, wherein the network comprises a standard Ethernet connection.

41. The method according to claim 36, wherein the network capability comprises a telephone modem.

42. The method according to claim 36, wherein the network is capable of transferring data to a central server to display at least one of the golfer'"'"'s characteristics, club characteristics, ball characteristics, ball trajectory, or equipment comparison.

43. The method of claim 36, wherein the network is capable of transmitting transaction information to a central server, wherein the transaction information comprises an equipment order, financial information of a purchaser, a shipping address, or salesperson information.

44. The method of claim 36, wherein the network is capable of transmitting order confirmation information to the apparatus.

45. The method according to claim 36, wherein the network is capable of transferring data to multiple data consumers.

46. The method according to claim 36, wherein the rate of automatically identifying the at least one golf club or ball is about one second or less.

47. The method according to claim 36, wherein the stored image reference information is based on inherent features of said golf club or ball.

48. A method for determining club and ball kinematics, comprising the steps of:

providing an apparatus comprising;

a camera system capable of acquiring a plurality of images of a field of view; and

a processor capable of running an operating system; and

a self contained power cell; and

providing a network capability capable of interacting with the operating system;

wherein the network is capable of interacting with remote data processing devices.

49. The method according to claim 48, wherein the self contained power cell comprises a battery.

50. The method according to claim 48, wherein the self contained power cell is rechargeable.

51. The method according to claim 48, wherein the self contained power cell comprises a nickel metal hydride battery or a lithium ion battery.

52. The method according to claim 48, wherein the self contained power cell has 50 or more watt/hours of power.

53. The method according to claim 48, wherein the network comprises a standard Ethernet connection.

54. The method according to claim 48, wherein the network capability comprises a telephone modem.

55. The method according to claim 48, wherein the network is capable of transferring data to a central server to display at least one of the golfer'"'"'s characteristics, club characteristics, ball characteristics, ball trajectory, or equipment comparison.

56. The method of claim 48, wherein the network is capable of transmitting transaction information to a centrai server, wherein the transaction information comprises an equipment order, financial information of a purchaser, a shipping address, or salesperson information.

57. The method according to claim 48, wherein the network is capable of updating software for the operating system.

58. The method according to claim 48, wherein the network is capable of transferring data to multiple data consumers.