Launch monitor

• US 8,475,289 B2
• Filed: 06/07/2004
• Issued: 07/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Bissonnette, Laurent, Pelletier, Diane I., Toupin, Michael J., Gobush, William, Gribben, Douglas Alan, Lentz, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Suhol, Dmitry
• Assistant Examiner(s): RADA, ALEX P
• Application Number:
  US10/861,856
• Publication Number:
  US 20050272514A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,312 Days
• Field of Search: 473/407, 473/131, 473150-151, 473/155, 473/221, 473/225, 473/409
• US Class Current: 473/151
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0012 Comparing movements or motion sequences with a registered reference
• 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 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/05 Image processing for measuring physical parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• 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 2220/807 Photo 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 24/0006 Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/008 with means for improving visibility, e.g. special markings or colours illuminating or reflecting means A63B43/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3623 for driving A63B69/3608, A63B69/3658, A63B69/3661, A63B69/3667 and A63B69/3691 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3658 Means associated with the ball for indicating or measuring, e.g. speed, direction
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 : Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities

Abstract

A launch monitor that includes substantially all of its functional components on or within a housing is disclosed. In one embodiment, the launch monitor is capable of being transported and used in any desired location. One or more camera'"'"'s, flashes, and triggers may be used to acquire images of a golf club and golf ball. The launch monitor is preferably capable of receiving and transmitting data over a wireless network. Acquired images and other data may be analyzed by a processor, and then displayed using an LED, LCD or other type of display or printer. The launch monitor may “recognize” a plurality of golf clubs and golf balls based on an optical fingerprint. The optical fingerprints, which are preferably stored in a memory, allow the launch monitor to identify a golf club and/or ball substantially soon after they are placed in the field of view of the monitor Optical fingerprinting enables automatic record keeping, and storing performance data and equipment used simultaneously. This feature eliminates tedious record keeping, eliminates data entry errors, and enables rapid equipment optimization.

Claims

1. An apparatus for determining golf club and ball kinematics, comprising:

a camera system having a field of view and a display device;

a teeing aid operable to assist a golfer in placing the golf ball within the camera'"'"'s field of view in order to locate the ball within a predetermined teeing position;

wherein the teeing aid determines the distance between a trigger and the placement of the golf ball.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the teeing aid is operable to grab and sequentially present a plurality of video images.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the teeing aide comprises a plurality of images having a frame rate, wherein the frame rate is greater than about 5 frames/sec.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the frame rate is greater than 10 frames/sec.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the frame rate is greater than 20 frames/sec.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the teeing aid has a field of view, wherein the field of view is greater than 2″

×

4″

.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the field of view is greater than 4.5″

×

6.5″

.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the teeing aid includes at least one light source operable to illuminate the field of view.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the at least one light source comprises a light emitting diode.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the teeing aid may be selectively activated.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the teeing aid may be selectively deactivated.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the teeing aid may be automatically deactivated after detecting the presence of a golf ball.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one trigger.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the apparatus is operable to measure golf club and ball kinematics of both left handed and right handed golfers.

15. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the at least one trigger comprises an optical trigger including a laser.

16. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the at least one trigger comprises an ultrasonic trigger.

17. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the at least one trigger comprises a discrete logic device.

18. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the trigger is operable to determine the timing of the at least one light source and camera based on a look-up table.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the look-up table comprises at least 20 categories.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the teeing aid automatically activates after a predetermined amount of time if the golf ball is not positioned within the predetermined teeing position.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the teeing aid provides instructions to the golfer.

22. A method for determining golf club and ball kinematics, comprising:

grabbing and sequentially presenting a plurality of video images using a teeing aid;

selectively activating at least one light source operable to illuminate the field of view presented by the teeing aid; and

detecting the presence of the golf club and ball based on a trigger;

wherein the teeing aid determines the distance between the trigger and the placement of the golf ball.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the teeing aid has a frame rate, wherein the frame rate is greater than 5 frames/sec.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the frame rate is greater than 10 frames/sec.

25. The method according to claim 23, wherein the frame rate is greater than 20 frames/sec.

26. The method according to claim 22, wherein the field of view is greater than 2″

×

4″

.

27. The method according to claim 22, wherein the field of view is greater than 4.5″

×

6.5″

.

28. The method according to claim 22, wherein the teeing aid may be automatically deactivated after detecting the presence of a golf ball.

29. The method according to claim 22, wherein the trigger comprises a laser based optical trigger.

30. The method according to claim 22, wherein the trigger comprises and ultrasonic trigger.

31. The method of claim 22, wherein the teeing aid provides instructions to a golfer.

32. An apparatus for determining golf club and ball kinematics, comprising:

a camera system having a field of view and a display device;

a teeing aid to assist a golfer in placing the golf ball within the camera'"'"'s field of view in order to locate the ball within a predetermined teeing position;

wherein the teeing aid automatically activates after a predetermined amount of time if the golf ball is not positioned within the predetermined teeing position;

and wherein the teeing aid determines the distance between a trigger and the placement of the golf ball.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the teeing aid provides instructions to the golfer.