High speed instantaneous multi-image recorder

• US 4,713,686 A
• Filed: 06/30/1986
• Issued: 12/15/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
• Original Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
• Inventors: Machida, Kunio, Uji, Ryohei, Inoue, Hidekimi, Ohno, Kiyoshi, Shimazaki, Hirato, Yamada, Tadatoshi, Ozaki, Haruhiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Britton, Howard W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Peng, John K.
• Application Number:
  US06/880,269
• Time in Patent Office: 533 Days
• Field of Search: 358/93, 358/107, 358/105, 358/83, 434/369, 434/252, 354/410, 354/413, 354/416, 352/121
• US Class Current: 348/157
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0034 during flight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/02 Tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/05 Image processing for measuring physical parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• 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 24/0021 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
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 Sports
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/188 Capturing isolated or intermittent images triggered by the occurrence of a predetermined event, e.g. an object reaching a predetermined position signal generation from motion picture films H04N5/253

Abstract

This high speed, instantaneous multi-image recorder comprises a video camera, sensor unit and light projector. A frame memory is connected to the video camera, a flashtube is to the light projector, a retarder is to the sensor unit. The flashtube is connected to the retarder, and a monitor is connected to the frame memory. The video camera, sensor unit and light projected are placed as directed toward a moving object which is, for example, a golf club. When the golfer swings the club, the sensor unit detects the club, the light projector flashes, and the video camera picks up the golf ball and club head around the moment of impacting. Thus, the video camera catches many instantaneous poses within a frame. Many such images picked up in a signal frame of the video camera are displayed on the monitor screen for analysis.

Claims

1. A high speed instantaneous multi-image recorder comprising:

at least one video camera, a sensor and a light emitting portion located so as to be directed towards a moving object;

a frame memory connected to said video camera to receive image signals from said video camera and connected to send images for one frame to a monitor in synchronism with an external signal;

a strobo arrangement connected to said light emitting portion and actuating it to produce a plurality of flashes for one frame of the video camera;

a first retarder connected to said sensor to receive detection signals coming from the sensor, the strobo arrangement being connected to receive signals from the first retarder; and

a second retarder connected to said strobo system for producing said external signal;

said frame memory being connected to receive said external signal from a second retarder, whereby said frame memory is synchronized with flashes emitted by said light emitting portion via said second retarder so that a plurality of instantaneous poses illuminated by a plurality of flashes of said light emitting portion within one frame of the video camera are displayed at the same time on said monitor.

2. A high speed instantaneous multi-image recorder according to claim 1, wherein said sensor is so constructed that it is actuated when a moving object passes through a predetermined space having a certain area.

3. A high speed instantaneous multi-image recorder according to Claim 1, wherein said sensor is comprised of a projector and a receiver positioned to receive a light beam emitted by said projector so that it produces a signal when an object traverses said light beam between the projector and the receiver;

said projector being mounted on a first bracket supported by a first supporter at a predetermined height, said receiver being mounted on a second bracket supported by a second supporter at the predetermined height;

said first supporter and said second supporter being connected to each other through a connecting supporter.