Launch monitor
First Claim
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1. A method for distinguishing the kinematic characteristics of a golf club, comprising:
- performing the following steps using a processor and a memory;
storing image reference information for a plurality of golf clubs;
acquiring an image of at least one of the golf clubs in motion; and
automatically distinguishing between a first golf club and a second golf club based on a comparison of the acquired image and the stored image reference information;
wherein the rate of automatically distinguishing between the first and second golf clubs is about six seconds or less, and wherein the stored image reference information comprises Eigen values for the plurality of golf clubs, and wherein the step of automatically distinguishing between the first and second golf clubs comprises calculating the Eigen value of the at least one golf club from the acquired image and comparing it to the stored image reference information.
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Abstract
A launch monitor that includes substantially all of its functional components on or within a housing is disclosed. The launch monitor may be transported and used in any desired location. One or more cameras, 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.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for distinguishing the kinematic characteristics of a golf club, comprising:
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performing the following steps using a processor and a memory; storing image reference information for a plurality of golf clubs; acquiring an image of at least one of the golf clubs in motion; and automatically distinguishing between a first golf club and a second golf club based on a comparison of the acquired image and the stored image reference information; wherein the rate of automatically distinguishing between the first and second golf clubs is about six seconds or less, and wherein the stored image reference information comprises Eigen values for the plurality of golf clubs, and wherein the step of automatically distinguishing between the first and second golf clubs comprises calculating the Eigen value of the at least one golf club from the acquired image and comparing it to the stored image reference information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for identifying a golf object, comprising:
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at least one camera system; and a computational device operable to distinguish between two golf objects of the same type based on a comparison of an image acquired by the camera system and a library of stored reference information, wherein the stored image reference information comprises Eigen values for the plurality of golf objects; wherein the computational device is operable to automatically identify the two golf objects of the same type, based on a calculation of the Eigen value of the golf objects from the acquired image and a comparison to the stored image reference information, in about six seconds or less. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for identifying a golf ball, comprising:
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performing the following steps using a processor and a memory; storing image reference information for a plurality of golf balls, wherein the stored image reference information comprises Eigen values for the plurality of golf balls; acquiring an image of at least one of the golf balls in motion; and automatically distinguishing at least one golf ball from the plurality of golf balls based on a comparison of the acquired image and the stored image reference information, and wherein the step of automatically distinguishing the at least one golf ball comprises calculating the Eigen value of the at least one golf ball from the acquired image and comparing it to the stored image reference information; wherein the rate of automatically identifying the at least one golf ball is about six seconds or less. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification