Method and apparatus for detecting the placement of a golf ball for a launch monitor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for detecting the placement of a golf ball for a launch monitor, the launch monitor measuring flight path parameters of the golf ball, comprising:
- capturing an image of a scan zone, the scan zone being an area adjacent the launch monitor and in the field of view of the launch monitor'"'"'s image sensor;
analyzing the scan zone image for the placement of an object;
capturing, responsive to the placement of the object, a second image; and
using the second image in determining if the object is likely the golf ball, wherein the determining step further comprises comparing the object to a predefined physical attribute, the physical attribute selected from a group consisting of size, dimple pattern, reflectivity, roundness, shading, gradient, and position.
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Abstract
A novel method and apparatus for detecting the placement of a golf ball for a launch monitor is disclosed. The method comprises capturing an image of a scan zone that is adjacent to the launch monitor and in the field of view of the launch monitor'"'"'s image sensor, analyzing the scan zone image for the placement of an object, and determining if the object is likely the golf ball. An apparatus is also disclosed that implements the golf ball detection method.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. A method for detecting the placement of a golf ball for a launch monitor, the launch monitor measuring flight path parameters of the golf ball, comprising:
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capturing an image of a scan zone, the scan zone being an area adjacent the launch monitor and in the field of view of the launch monitor'"'"'s image sensor; analyzing the scan zone image for the placement of an object; capturing, responsive to the placement of the object, a second image; and using the second image in determining if the object is likely the golf ball, wherein the determining step further comprises comparing the object to a predefined physical attribute, the physical attribute selected from a group consisting of size, dimple pattern, reflectivity, roundness, shading, gradient, and position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for detecting the placement of a golf ball for a launch monitor, the launch monitor measuring flight path parameters of the golf ball, comprising:
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capturing an image of a scan zone, the scan zone being an area adjacent the launch monitor and in the field of view of the launch monitor'"'"'s image sensor; analyzing the scan zone image for the placement of an object; determining if the object is likely a golf ball; generating a directional alert responsive to analyzing the scan zone image; and using the directional alert to indicate how the object should be moved to place the object in a strike zone.
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17. A method for detecting the placement of a golf ball for a launch monitor, the launch monitor measuring flight path parameters of the golf ball, comprising:
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capturing an image of a scan zone, the scan zone being an area adjacent the launch monitor and in the field of view of the launch monitor'"'"'s image sensor; analyzing the scan zone image for the placement of an object; determining if the object is likely a golf ball; generating a directional alert responsive to analyzing the scan zone images and responsive to determining that the object is likely the golf ball; and using the directional alert to indicate how the golf ball should be moved to place the golf ball in a strike zone.
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18. A launch monitor for measuring flight parameters of a golf ball, the monitor comprising:
a processor configured to perform the steps; capturing an image of a scan zone; analyzing the scan zone image for the placement of an object; determining if the object is likely the golf ball, wherein the determining step further comprises comparing the object to a predefined physical attribute, the physical attribute selected from a group consisting of size, dimple patter, reflectivity, roundness, shading, gradient, and position; locating the golf ball in a strike zone; capturing a first image of the golf ball; capturing a second image of the golf ball; and calculating the flight parameters using the first and the second images. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A launch monitor with assisted placement capability, comprising:
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a housing; a sensor arrangement; an indicator; and a processor configured to operate the steps of; capturing images of a scan zone using the sensor arrangement; analyzing the scan zone images for the placement of an object; determining if the object is likely the golf ball wherein the determining step further comprises comparing the object to a predefined physical attribute, the physical attribute selected from a group consisting of size, dimple pattern, reflectivity, roundness, shading, gradient, and position; and activating the indicator responsive to determining that the object is likely the golf ball. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification