Infrared sensing launch monitor

• US 20060046861A1
• Filed: 08/31/2004
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Lastowka, Eric J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,959,517 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/151
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0031 at the starting point
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0034 during flight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0008 for batting
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/02 Tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/24 Ice hockey
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/38 for tennis A63B61/006, A63B69/0073 and A63B69/0097 take precedence

Abstract

A method and apparatus for changing the temperature pattern of the surface of a golf ball or golf club is disclosed. The apparatus includes a thermal device capable of imparting a temperature pattern onto the surface of a golf ball. The thermal device preferably imparts the temperature pattern from a distance, preferably while the golf ball is positioned on a golf tee. After a predetermined amount of time, the golf ball may be stuck by a golf club. A thermal imaging device is preferably used to acquire images of the temperature pattern. The acquired images may then be analyzed by a processor to determine the kinematic characteristics of the golf ball.

Claims

1. An apparatus for measuring the flight characteristics of golf equipment, comprising:

a golf club and a golf ball; and

at least one infrared sensing device selectively positioned to acquire images of at least one of the golf club and the golf ball;

wherein the infrared sensing device is capable of detecting a temperature pattern on a portion of the surface of at least one of the golf club and the golf ball.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a heating device.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cooling device.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the heating device comprises a focused emitting device.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the heating device includes at least one laser.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the temperature pattern is imparted by cooling portions of the golf club and golf ball.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the temperature pattern is imparted by heating portions of the golf club and golf ball.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the temperature pattern may be imparted from a predetermined distance.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined distance is about 3 feet or greater.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined distance is about 4 feet or greater.

11. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined distance is between 0.5 inches and about 2 feet.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the time period necessary to impart the temperature pattern is between about 5 seconds and about 30 seconds.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the time period necessary to impart the temperature pattern is about 1 minute or less.

14. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the heating device is capable of raising the temperature of portions of the golf club and golf ball by about 10°

F. or more.

15. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the heating device is capable of raising the temperature of portions of the golf club and golf ball by about 20°

F. or more.

16. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cooling device is capable of lowering the temperature of portions of the golf club and golf ball by about 10°

F. or more.

17. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cooling device is capable of lowering the temperature of portions of the golf club and golf ball by about 20°

F. or more.

18. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cooling device comprises a plurality of protrusions that are capable of resting flush with the surface of at least one of the golf club and golf ball.

19. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the heating device is capable of imparting the temperature pattern to the surface of at least one of the golf club and golf ball in about 30 seconds or less.

20. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cooling device is capable of imparting the temperature pattern to the surface of at least one of the golf club and golf ball in about 30 seconds or less.

21. An apparatus for determining the flight characteristics of a golf ball, comprising:

a thermal device capable of imparting a temperature pattern to a portion of the surface of the golf ball; and

a thermal imaging device capable of detecting and acquiring images of the temperature pattern;

wherein the images of the temperature pattern may be analyzed to determine the kinematic characteristics of the golf ball.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the thermal device comprises a cooling device.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the thermal device comprises a heating device.

24. The apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising a processor capable of analyzing the images of the temperature pattern.

25. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the difference between the temperature pattern and other portions of the golf ball is about 10°

F. or more.

26. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the difference between the temperature pattern and other portions of the golf ball is about 20°

F. or more.

27. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the thermal device comprises a focused emitting device.

28. A method of determining the flight characteristics of a golf ball, comprising:

imparting a temperature pattern to a portion of the surface of a golf ball; and

detecting the temperature pattern based on a thermal detection device;

wherein the difference between the temperature pattern and other portions of the surface of the golf ball is about 10°

F. or more.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the temperature pattern is imparted from a predetermined distance.

30. The method according to claim 28, wherein the difference between the temperature pattern and other portions of the surface of the golf ball is about 20°

F. or more.

31. The method according to claim 28, wherein the difference between the temperature pattern and other portions of the surface of the golf ball is about 30°

F. or more.

32. The method according to claim 28, wherein the temperature pattern is imparted by cooling the portion of the surface of the golf ball.

33. The method according to claim 28, wherein the temperature pattern is imparted by heating the portion of the surface of the golf ball.

34. The method according to claim 28, further comprising:

acquiring images of the temperature pattern; and

processing the images to determine the kinematic characteristics of the golf ball.

35. The method according to claim 34, wherein the kinematic characteristics include at least one of side spin, back spin, trajectory, and velocity.

36. The method according to claim 28, wherein the temperature pattern is imparted in about 1 minute or less.