Methods and apparatus for a portable golf training system with an optical sensor net

• US 6,302,802 B1
• Filed: 06/24/1999
• Issued: 10/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Focaltron Corporation
• Original Assignee: Focaltron Corporation
• Inventors: Pao, Yi-Ching
• Primary Examiner(s): HARRISON, JESSICA
• Application Number:
  US09/344,194
• Time in Patent Office: 845 Days
• Field of Search: 473/150, 473/152, 473/155, 473/156, 473/190, 473/192, 473/197, 473/198, 473/199, 473/219, 473/221, 473/222, 250/221, 250/222, 356/28
• US Class Current: 473/156
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0034 during flight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• 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 69/3658 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: G01P 3/68 using optical means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light G01P3/80 takes precedence ; by reflection of waves G01S17/58

Abstract

An optical sensor net system for measuring the relational dynamic information of a spheroidal projectile. A support frame for the system may include light emitters that generate divergent non-parallel rays of light. The non-parallel rays of light emitted may be directed to and received by a plurality of light detectors substantially arranged within a single plane. The intersecting non-parallel rays of light may form an asymmetrical optical sensor net that may also capture both golf ball and golf club information as they pass through. The light detectors that receive the rays of light may be spaced apart at preselected locations and distances less than the diameter of a spheroidal object such as a golf ball. A data processor or computer may be connected to the sensor net to detect relational spatial information for the golf ball and the golf club, and to determine instantaneous dynamic information for either including ball velocity or club speed based at least in part on the locations of the rays of light which are blocked off, and the measured time in which the rays of light emitted to the light detectors are interrupted and monitored by clock instrumentation. The optical sensor net and support frame may be tilted at preselected angles to capture relatively more information for a wide range of golf shots providing enhanced resolution of images depicting the golf ball and/or golf club.

Claims

1. A golf training system with an optical sensor net for measuring the relational dynamic information of a golf ball and a golf club comprising:

a substantially L-shaped frame having a first leg and a second leg;

a light emitter assembly including a first light emitter connected to the first leg of the frame and a second light emitter connected to the second leg of the frame, wherein each light emitter emits a spread of non-parallel light rays in a substantially singular plane;

an array of light detectors including a first set of spaced apart light detectors positioned along the first leg of the frame that receive the non-parallel light rays emitted from the second light emitter, and a second set of spaced apart light detectors positioned along the second leg of the frame that receive the non-parallel light rays emitted from the first light emitter, wherein the non-parallel rays from the first and the second light emitter form an asymmetrical optical sensor net that captures relational kinetic information of a golfball and a golf club during a swinging motion when passed through at least a portion of the sensor net; and

a data processor in communication with the array of detectors that measure periods of disruption for selected light detectors by the golf ball and by the golf club, and for processing relational kinetic information for the golf ball and the golf club based on the disruption of selected light detectors and their respective periods of disruption.

2. The golf training system as recited in claim 1 wherein the first leg is positioned substantially horizontal and the second leg is positioned substantially vertical.

3. The golf training system as recited in claim 1 wherein the array of light detectors on the first leg and the second leg of the frame are spatially aligned and arranged at a predetermined space interval that is less than the radius of the golf ball.

4. The golf training system as recited in claim 1 wherein the dimension of a length of the optical sensor net is between 2 to 4 feet.

5. The golf training system as recited in claim 1 wherein the data processor is in communication with the light emitter assembly.

6. The golf training system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a visual display to display data generated from the movement of the golf ball.

7. The golf training system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a catching net placed along an intended path of the golf ball.

8. A method for providing dynamic spatial information for a golf club with an optical sensor net comprising the steps of:

selecting a sensor system including a divergent light source for emitting at least two non-parallel rays of light towards an array of light detectors to form an optical sensor net;

passing the golf club through the non-parallel rays of light within the optical sensor net to interrupt emission of the rays of light to the array of light detectors;

identifying selected light detectors that receive interrupted rays of light emitted by the divergent light source caused by the golf club passing through the optical sensor net;

detecting interruption times for the selected detectors within the array of light detectors that detects interrupted rays of light; and

measuring dynamic spatial information for the golf club based on the measured interruption time for the selected light detectors that receive interrupted non-parallel rays of light.

9. A method for providing dynamic spatial information with an optical sensor net for a golf club and a golf ball comprising the steps of:

selecting a sensor system including a divergent light source for emitting at least two non-parallel rays of light towards an array of light detectors to form an optical sensor net;

passing the golf ball through the non-parallel rays of light within the optical sensor net to interrupt emission of the rays of light to the array of light detectors;

identifying selected light detectors that receive interrupted rays of light emitted by the divergent light source caused by the golf ball passing through the optical sensor net;

detecting interruption times for the selected detectors within the array of light detectors that detects interrupted rays of light;

measuring dynamic spatial information for the golf ball based on the measured interruption time for the selected light detectors that receive interrupted non-parallel rays of light;

passing a golf club through the optical sensor net through the non-parallel rays of light within the optical sensor net to interrupt emission of the rays of light to the array of light detectors;

identifying a second group of selected light detectors that receive interrupted rays of light emitted by the divergent light source caused by the golf club passing through the optical sensor net;

detecting interruption times for the second group of selected detectors within the array of light detectors that detects interrupted rays of light; and

computing dynamic spatial information for the golf club based on the measured interruption time for the selected light detectors that receive interrupted non-parallel rays of light.

10. The method for providing dynamic spatial information as recited in claim 9 wherein the dynamic spatial information includes golf ball speed and trajectory.

11. The method for providing dynamic spatial information as recited in claim 9 wherein the dynamic spatial information includes club speed and swing path.