Integrated golf ball launch monitor

• US 7,497,780 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2006
• Issued: 03/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wawgd Newco LLC
• Original Assignee: Wintriss Engineering Corporation
• Inventors: Kiraly, Christopher M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Laneau; Ronald
• Application Number:
  US11/610,889
• Publication Number:
  US 20070298897A1
• Time in Patent Office: 810 Days
• Field of Search: 463/42, 473/131, 473/140, 473/141, 473198-200, 473219-226, 473/409, 700/91, 700/92, 348155-157
• US Class Current: 463/42
• 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 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/05 Image processing for measuring physical parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/18 Inclination, slope or curvature
• 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 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video 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 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3605 : Golf club selection aids informing player of his average or expected shot distance for each club
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3658 : Means associated with the ball for indicating or measuring, e.g. speed, direction
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0605 : Decision makers and devices using detection means facilitating arbitration

Abstract

A novel integrated golf ball launch monitor for measuring flight path parameters for a golf ball is disclosed. This integrated launch monitor includes a housing that includes a sensor, a user output device, and a processor. The processor performs the steps of monitoring a trigger zone, determining that the golf ball has launched from the trigger zone, capturing position information for the golf ball with the sensor, calculating the flight parameters using the position information, and outputting the flight parameters on the user output device. A display and/or a speaker may be added to the monitor as a means of outputting the flight parameters from the processor to a user of the monitor. The integrated launch monitor may be sized and constructed to be portable and may also include a battery (which may be rechargeable). The monitor may also include a lamp positioned to direct an illuminating light into the sensor'"'"'s field of view and can include a data interface to a display monitor, a computer, a game station, or a golf simulator. The housing may also be in a clamshell configuration.

Claims

1. An integrated launch monitor for measuring flight path parameters for a golf ball, comprising:

a housing, wherein the housing further comprises a sensor, a user output device, and a processor;

the processor configured to operate the steps of;

monitoring a trigger zone;

determining that the golf ball has launched from the trigger zone, the golf ball moving on a flight path;

capturing position information for the golf ball with the sensor;

calculating the flight parameters using the position information; and

outputting the flight parameters on the user output device.

2. The integrated launch monitor according to claim 1, wherein the output device is an audio speaker.

3. The integrated launch monitor according to claim 2, wherein the flight parameters are acoustically projected using simulated speech.

4. The integrated launch monitor according to claim 1, wherein the output device is a display, and the flight parameters are displayed on the display.

5. The integrated launch monitor according to claim 1 further including a battery, and wherein the housing is sized and constructed to be portable.

6. The integrated launch monitor according to claim 1 further including a data interface to a display monitor, a computer, a game station, or a golf simulator.

7. The integrated launch monitor according to claim 1 further including a lamp positioned to direct an illuminating light into the sensor'"'"'s field of view.

8. The integrated launch monitor according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is an image sensor or a radar horn.

9. The integrated launch monitor according to claim 1, wherein the housing is a foldable housing comprising;

a bottom housing;

a top housing; and

a hinge connecting the top and bottom housings;

wherein the sensor is in the top housing.

10. A portable integrated launch monitor for measuring flight path parameters for a golf ball, comprising:

a housing;

a first image sensor coupled to the housing;

a second image sensor coupled to the housing;

a display;

a set of user controls; and

a processor in the housing;

the processor configured to operate the steps of;

monitoring a trigger zone;

determining that the golf ball has been launched from the trigger zone, the golf ball moving on a flight path;

capturing a first image of the golf ball;

capturing a second image of the golf ball at another position on the flight path;

calculating the flight parameters using the first and the second images; and

presenting the flight parameters on the display.

11. The launch monitor according to claim 10 wherein the first sensor, the second sensor, the display, the user controls, and the processor are all in the housing.

12. The launch monitor according to claim 10, further comprising a lamp for directing light toward the flight path.

13. The launch monitor according to claim 10 wherein the first sensor is a window on a sensor device, and the second sensor is a second window on the sensor device.

14. The launch monitor according to claim 10 wherein the first sensor is spaced apart from the second sensor.

15. The launch monitor according to claim 10 wherein the first sensor captures near real time images used for configuring the second sensor.

16. The launch monitor according to claim 10 wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are arranged as different windows on a same sensor.

17. The launch monitor according to claim 10 further including a battery in the housing.

18. The launch monitor according to claim 10, wherein the housing is a foldable housing comprising;

a bottom housing adapted to be placed on a surface;

a top housing; and

a hinge connecting the top and bottom housings;

wherein the sensor is in the top housing.

19. An input device for a gaming station, the input device providing a golf simulator for a gamer, comprising:

a housing;

a sensor coupled to the housing;

a data connector constructed to operably connect to the gaming station; and

a processor in the housing;

the processor configured to operate the steps of;

monitoring a trigger zone;

determining that a golf ball has launched from the trigger zone, the golf ball moving on a flight path;

capturing position information for the golf ball with the sensor;

calculating the flight parameters using the position information; and

outputting the flight parameters through the data connector.

20. The input device for a gaming station according to claim 19, further including a second sensor, the second sensor configured to receive near-real time information regarding the position of the golf ball, and the processor uses the near-real time information to determine when to capture position information.

21. The input device for a gaming station according to claim 19, wherein the near-real time information indicates the gamer has driven the golf ball, and the sensor is configured to capture position information in a sequence of images sufficiently fast according to the golf ball'"'"'s speed on the flight path.

22. The input device for a gaming station according to claim 19, wherein the near-real time information indicates the gamer has chipped the golf ball, and the sensor is configured to capture position information in a sequence according to the golf ball'"'"'s speed on the flight path.

23. The input device for a gaming station according to claim 19, wherein the near-real time information indicates the gamer has putted the golf ball, and the sensor is configured to capture position information in a sequence sufficiently slow according to the golf ball'"'"'s speed on the flight path.