Golf swing analysis

• US 20060252018A1
• Filed: 05/03/2006
• Published: 11/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Varinder Sooch
• Original Assignee: Varinder Sooch
• Inventors: Sooch, Varinder
• Application Number:
  US11/417,945
• Publication Number:
  US 20060252018A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/252
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0009 Computerised real time comparison with previous movements or motion sequences of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0012 Comparing movements or motion sequences with a registered reference
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0015 Comparing movements or motion sequences with computerised simulations of movements or motion sequences, e.g. for generating an ideal template as reference to be achieved by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/05 Image processing for measuring physical parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• 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 24/0006 Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3608 Attachments on the body, e.g. for measuring, aligning, restraining A63B69/0059, A63B69/3673 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3614 using electro-magnetic, magnetic or ultrasonic radiation emitted, reflected or interrupted by the golf club
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3629 Visual means not attached to the body for aligning, positioning the trainee's head or for detecting head movement, e.g. by parallax
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3655 Balls, ball substitutes, or attachments on balls therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3658 Means associated with the ball for indicating or measuring, e.g. speed, direction
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3667 Golf stance aids, e.g. means for positioning a golfer's feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/146 Golf gloves

Abstract

A method of analyzing golf swings. A video camera assembly is used to record videos of the golf swings of a golfer and analyze his/her golf swing. The recorded video is first reduced to minimum required time of useful video data. This useful data is then divided into a plurality of frames. A plurality of key locations are identified in each frame and an analysis is conducted on various aspects of the golf swing by processing the video at each relevant frame. The faults in the swings are highlighted in each frame based on the plurality of key locations. The results are shown instantly to the user on the camera assembly. The user is also provided with recommendations to rectify the faults and can compare his/her swings with those performed by professional golfers. The videos are downloaded into a computer system and sent to a server, which also includes all the necessary software applications to automatically perform the analysis. The user can access a hosting website to review the results while playing the video

Claims

1. A method of analyzing and providing feedback about golf swing, comprising:

recording the golf swings of a golfer with a video camera assembly;

allowing the golfer to review recorded golf swings;

normalizing all the golfers to fit in a same window;

identifying a plurality of key locations on the videos;

conducting an analysis of various aspects of the golf swing by processing the video at each relevant frame and highlighting faults in the frame based on the plurality of key locations on the frame;

reporting the results of the analysis;

providing recommendations to rectify the faults;

providing comparisons of the golfer'"'"'s swing with the golf swings performed by professional golfers or the golf swings performed previously by the golfer downloading videos of the golf swings recorded in the video camera assembly to a computer system;

uploading the stored swings to the hosting website

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of normalizing the golfers includes zooming of the golfer to fit in a standard template.

3. The method of claim 1, the step of identifying the key locations includes using standard templates with zones corresponding to the key locations relevant to a particular frame in the golf swing.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a swing zone is created to locate the golfer'"'"'s hand, which is one of the key locations, to speed up processing, the swing zone being created by taking various data points of the golfer'"'"'s hand during the complete swing.

5. The method of claim 1, the step of analyzing the golf swing includes comparing the position of the key locations in each frame to a standard position of the key locations in that frame and quantifying the deviation between the actual and standard positions of the key locations.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein a visual aide is provided on the camera assembly to review the recorded golf swings.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the recorded video of a user'"'"'s golf swing is instantly and automatically analyzed using proprietary software applications.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the user logs onto a hosting web site to review the results of the analysis.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the downloaded videos can be recorded on a CD, DVD, or other memory device for the golfer'"'"'s personal review.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the video camera assembly contains pre-recorded instructions and golf shot tips by a prominent golf instructor.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

getting qualitative feedback from comparison with a professional player'"'"'s swing such as hip/leg position, head positions, hands position during downswing, body position at impact, and the like;

providing an option to the customer for the automatic computer analysis or a manual analysis done by the golfer.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

providing drawing and video tools for manual analysis.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the video camera assembly includes an option to record videos for the golf swing analysis or to record videos in a CD or DVD.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein colored markers associated with the golfer and golf ball used by the golfer serve as the plurality of key locations.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein colored golf glove, a first colored marker on a hat worn by the golfer, a second colored marker on the hip/leg of the golfer, a third colored marker on the golf club shaft, and golf ball serve as the plurality of key locations.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the analysis is done for front and side views of the golfer performing the golf swing.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein a first frame of the front view comprises an initial position of the golfer before the golf swing, the analysis for the head and hands position being made in the first frame.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the position of the hands with respect to ball, lateral shift of hip/legs and head during back swing, and position of the head, club, and final posture at the end of the golf swing are analyzed in the subsequent frames.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein a first frame of the side view comprises an initial position of the golfer before the golf swing, where the analysis of the spine angle is made.

20. The method of claim.19, wherein the position of head and the position of the hands and club head in the backswing and downswing are analyzed in the subsequent frames.