Foldable launch monitor for golf

• US 7,540,500 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2006
• Issued: 06/02/2009
• 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:
  US11/610,845
• Publication Number:
  US 20080039222A1
• Time in Patent Office: 901 Days
• Field of Search: 473/140, 473/151, 473/190, 273/317.2, 382/103
• US Class Current: 273/317.2
• 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 golf ball launch monitor with a foldable design is disclosed. This launch monitor has a bottom housing that is connect to a top housing through a hinge. The top housing contains an image sensor for capturing an image of a golf ball. The top housing may also include a tilt gauge to measure the tilt of the top housing relative to the earth tangential or other reference plane. The monitor may also have a processor to process the images captured by the sensor, and may also include an illumination lamp to illuminate the golf ball and the surrounding environment. A display and/or a speaker may be added to the monitor as a means of outputting the results from the processor to a user of the monitor.

Claims

1. A foldable launch monitor, comprising:

a bottom housing;

a top housing;

a hinge connecting the top and bottom housings; and

an image sensor in the top housing whereby when the hinge is in a open position the image sensor is elevated, relative to the bottom housing, to a predetermined position for the image sensor to view a golf ball, and whereby in the predetermined elevated position the image sensor obtains an image of a golf ball.

2. The launch monitor according to claim 1, further comprising a tilt gauge in the top housing arranged to measure tilt of the image sensor relative to an earth tangential.

3. The launch monitor according to claim 1, further comprising a processor in the top or bottom housing, whereby the processor processes the image.

4. The launch monitor according to claim 1, further including a second image sensor in the top housing.

5. The launch monitor according to claim 1, further including a display.

6. The launch monitor according to claim 1, further including a tiltable display.

7. The launch monitor according to claim 1, further including a user input controls in the top or bottom housing.

8. The launch monitor according to claim 1, further including an acoustic speaker in the top or bottom housing.

9. The launch monitor according to claim 1, further including a battery in the top or bottom housing.

10. The launch monitor according to claim 1, further including a rechargeable battery in the top or bottom housing, and a connection for receiving a battery charger.

11. The launch monitor according to claim 1, whereby the hinge comprises a detent with at least one pre-defined locking position.

12. The launch monitor according to claim 11, whereby the hinge is adapted to release from the pre-defined locking position when the hinge experiences sufficient force.

13. The launch monitor according to claim 12, whereby the sufficient force is imparted by an errant golf ball or an errant golf club.

14. The launch monitor according to claim 1, whereby the hinge is pre-tensioned.

15. The launch monitor according to claim 14, whereby the hinge is dampened.

16. The launch monitor of claim 1, further comprising a releasable clasp whereby the clasp releasably binds the top housing to the bottom.

17. The launch monitor of claim 16, whereby the hinge is pre-tensioned and dampened such that when the clasp is released the launch monitor opens automatically about the hinge.

18. The launch monitor of claim 1, whereby the bottom housing further comprises at least two legs that may be extended from the bottom housing.

19. The launch monitor of claim 1, further comprising an illumination lamp in the top or bottom housing.

20. The launch monitor of claim 19, whereby the illumination lamp further comprises a light emitting diode (LED).

21. The launch monitor of claim 1, whereby the sensor performs the function of a bar code reader.

22. The launch monitor of claim 3, whereby the processor is configured to perform an adapted process.

23. The launch monitor of claim 22, wherein the adapted process is performed automatically upon opening the foldable housing.

24. The launch monitor of claim 22, wherein the adapted process is a process to detect or identify a golf ball.

25. The launch monitor of claim 22, wherein the adapted process is a process to provide directional indicators for directing a golfer to move the golf ball to a preferred hitting location

26. The launch monitor of claim 22, wherein the adapted process is a process to open processing or sensor windows for the sensor.

27. The launch monitor of claim 22, wherein the adapted process is a process to adapt exposure control for the sensor.

28. The launch monitor of claim 22, wherein the adapted process is a process to calculate speed or direction of the golf ball after it is hit.

29. The launch monitor of claim 22, wherein the adapted process is a process to calculate spin of the golf ball after it is hit.

30. The launch monitor of claim 22, wherein the adapted process is a process to calculate the flight path information.

31. A foldable launch monitor, comprising:

a bottom housing;

a top housing;

a hinge connecting the top and bottom housings;

an image sensor in the top housing, whereby when the hinge in a open position the image sensor is elevated, relative to the bottom housing, to a predetermined position for the image sensor to view a golf ball, and whereby in the predetermined elevated position the image sensor obtains an image of a golf ball;

a tilt gauge in the top housing arranged to measure tilt of the image sensor housing relative to an earth tangential; and

a processor in the top or bottom housing, whereby the processor processes the images and is configured to calculate the flight parameters of a golf ball.

32. The foldable launch monitor of claim 31, further comprising an output device, whereby the flight parameters are outputted to a user through the output device.