Launch monitor

• US 20050272513A1
• 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 8,500,568 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 measuring the kinematics of a golf object, comprising:

storing image reference information for a plurality of golf objects;

acquiring an image of at least one of the golf objects in motion; and

automatically identifying the at least one golf object based on a comparison to the stored image reference information;

wherein the rate of automatically identifying the at least one golf object is about six seconds or less.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the rate of automatically identifying the at least one golf object is about three seconds or less.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the rate of automatically identifying the at least one golf object is about one second or less.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing an imaging system having a resolution of greater than about 0.5 lp/mm.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the imaging system has a resolution of greater than about 1 lp/mm.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the imaging system has a resolution of greater than about 5 lp/mm.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said stored image reference information is based on inherent features of said golf objects.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the inherent features of the golf objects comprise one or more of a logo, an indicia printed on the surface of the golf object, or a geometric profile of the object.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the stored image reference information comprises Eigen values for the plurality of golf objects, and

wherein the step of automatically identifying the at least one golf object comprises calculating the Eigen value of the at least one golf object from the acquired image and comparing it to the stored image reference information.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one golf object has a marker applied to an outer surface.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the outer surface of the at least one golf object comprises at least 3 markers.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the markers are capable of creating a high contrast with the surface of the at least one golf object.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the markers are fluorescent or retroreflective.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the stored image reference information comprises information for about 50 or more golf objects.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the stored image reference information comprises information for about 200 or more golf objects.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the stored image reference information comprises information for about 500 or more golf objects.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the stored image reference information comprises information for about 1000 or more golf objects.

18. A system for measuring the kinematics of a golf object, comprising:

at least one camera system; and

a computational device capable of automatically identifying an acquired image from a library of stored reference information;

wherein the computational device is capable of automatically identifying the acquired image in about six seconds or less.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the computational device is capable of identifying the acquired image in about three seconds or less.

20. The system according to claim 18, wherein the computational device is capable of identifying the acquired image in about one second or less.

21. The system according to claim 18, further comprising an imaging system having a resolution of greater than about 0.5 lp/mm.

22. The system according to claim 21, wherein the resolution comprises greater than about 1 lp/mm.

23. The system according to claim 21, wherein the resolution comprises greater than about 5 lp/mm.

24. The system according to claim 18, wherein the stored reference information is based on inherent features of said golf objects.

25. The system according to claim 18, wherein said automatically identifying is based on Eigen values.