Launch monitor

• US 20050282645A1
• Filed: 06/07/2004
• Published: 12/22/2005
• 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 8,622,845 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/131
• 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 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• 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. An apparatus for measuring club and ball kinematics, comprising:

a camera system;

at least one trigger operatively connected to the camera system;

a processor capable of running an operating system; and

a handheld remote control for interacting with the operating system.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the remote control operates within the radio frequency spectrum.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the remote control operates within the infrared frequency spectrum.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the remote control is selectively connected to the apparatus using a cable.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operating system is capable of identifying the handheld remote associated with the apparatus.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operating system is capable of responding only to the handheld remote associated with the apparatus.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the remote control is stored within the housing.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a graphical user interface.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the graphical user interface is capable of displaying the impact position on a graphic image of a club face.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the graphic image is at least one photo-realistic image of the club face.

11. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a carry plot illustrating a plan view of calculated ball landing positions on a fairway.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the carry plot includes multiple landing positions on the same carry plot.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a selected landing position is highlighted in a different color from one or more alternative landing positions.

14. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the orientation and direction of motion of a club head are graphically illustrated on the graphical user interface.

15. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the direction of motion of a golf ball is graphically illustrated.

16. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the graphical user interface comprises an equipment comparison chart of two or more objects.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the comparison chart comprises multiple impact positions on a club face.

18. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the comparison chart comprises a landing plot capable of graphically depicting the landing positions of a ball struck using different clubs.

19. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the graphical user interface is capable of displaying a golf ball trajectory.

20. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the golf ball trajectory comprises at least one of a plan view, elevation view, and isometric view.

21. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein multiple trajectories are placed on the same plot.

22. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the graphical user interface is capable of displaying a contour plot illustrating carry distance or total distance of a ball as a function of backspin rate and launch angle at a particular speed.

23. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the graphical user interface includes drop down menus.

24. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the remote is capable of navigating between multiple displays.

25. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the remote includes at least five buttons capable of allowing navigation in at least four directions.

26. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the graphical user interface comprises graphic icons that are used to inform a user of a system status.

27. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the system status includes at least one of a battery level, AC power, operating mode, network status, ready status, and trigger status.

28. A method for determining club and ball kinematics, comprising:

providing a camera system;

providing a processor capable of running an operating system;

providing at least one trigger capable of communicating with the operating system; and

providing a remote control for interacting with the operating system.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the remote control operates within the radio frequency spectrum.

30. The method according to claim 28, wherein the remote control operates within the infrared frequency spectrum.

31. The method according to claim 28, wherein the remote control is operatively connected to the housing.

32. The method according to claim 28, wherein the remote control is based on radio frequency identification.

33. The method according to claim 28, wherein the remote control is stored within the housing.

34. The method according to claim 28, wherein the remote control is handheld.