Golf swing analysis apparatus

• US 8,852,016 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2011
• Issued: 10/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries Limited
• Original Assignee: SRI Sports Limited (Sumitomo Rubber Industries Limited)
• Inventors: Kamino, Kazuya, Moriyama, Keiji
• Primary Examiner(s): CUFF, MICHAEL A
• Application Number:
  US13/271,429
• Publication Number:
  US 20120108354A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,091 Days
• Field of Search: 473/219, 473/221, 473/257, 473/152, 473/155, 382/107, 382/291
• US Class Current: 473/221
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0031 at the starting point
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/05 Image processing for measuring physical parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/24 Angular displacement
• 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 2220/807 Photo cameras
• 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 53/00 Golf clubs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/00 Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/42 Devices for measuring, verifying, correcting or customising the inherent characteristics of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like, e.g. measuring the maximum torque a batting shaft can withstand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/46 Measurement devices associated with golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like for measuring physical parameters relating to sporting activity, e.g. baseball bats with impact indicators or bracelets for measuring the golf swing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3614 using electro-magnetic, magnetic or ultrasonic radiation emitted, reflected or interrupted by the golf club
• 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

Abstract

A swing analysis apparatus 10 for a golf club includes a club camera 20 continuously photographing a behavior of a golf club 34, a ball camera 22 continuously photographing a behavior of a golf ball 36, and an information processor 32. The club camera 20 is positioned in front of a golf player. A straight line C passes through a center of a lens of the club camera 22 and a center of the golf ball 36. An angle θc between the straight line C and a vertical line Z is 10 degrees or greater and 20 degrees or less. The information processor 32 measures a synchronized club behavior value from synchronized club image data. The information processor 32 measures a synchronized ball behavior value from synchronized ball image data. The information processor 32 stores the synchronized club behavior value and the synchronized ball behavior value.

Claims

1. A swing analysis apparatus comprising:

a club camera continuously photographing a behavior of a golf club;

a ball camera continuously photographing a behavior of a golf ball; and

an information processor,

wherein the club camera is positioned in front of a golf player swinging the golf club, and an angle θ

c between a straight line C and a vertical line Z passing through a center of the golf ball is 10 degrees or greater and 20 degrees or less, the straight line C passing through a center of a lens of the club camera and the center of the golf ball;

two or more club image data continuously photographed by the club camera are synchronized;

two or more ball image data continuously photographed by the ball camera are synchronized;

the information processor measures a synchronized club behavior value from the synchronized club image data, and measures a synchronized ball behavior value from the synchronized ball image data;

the number of the club camera is one; and

the photographing by the club camera is performed from a single direction of the angle θ

c.

2. The analysis apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor detecting the golf club existing at a predetermined position during a downswing,

wherein photographing start times of the club camera and ball camera are determined based on a detection signal of the golf club output by the sensor.

3. The analysis apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sensor comprises a first sensor and a second sensor;

and

a head speed of the golf club is measured based on a detection signal of the golf club output by the first sensor and a detection signal of the golf club output by the second sensor.

4. The analysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the club camera is disposed at a position where a height from a ground level is equal to or greater than 1 m and equal to or less than 2.5 m.

5. The analysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the club behavior value is a value of a face angle, a value of a head orbital angle, and a value of a lateral hitting point.

6. The analysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ball behavior value is a value of a ball speed, a value of a launch angle, a value of a deflection angle, a value of backspin, and a value of sidespin.

7. The analysis apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an elongated mark,

wherein the elongated mark is stuck on a crown of the golf club;

and

positions of both ends of the elongated mark are measured to measure the club behavior value.

8. The analysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of marks is put on the golf ball;

and

positions of two marks of the plurality of marks are measured to measure the ball behavior value.

9. The analysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the club camera continuously photographs the golf club during a swing to obtain first club image data and second club image data;

and

a club behavior value immediately before hitting is calculated from a first club behavior value measured from the first club image data and a second club behavior value measured from the second club image data.

10. The analysis apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a strobe light which emits light accompanied with the continuously photographing by the club camera, and a support rod extending upward, wherein

the club camera is positioned and mounted to an upper part of the support rod, and

the strobe light is disposed below the club camera and is mounted to the support rod.

11. The analysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein two or more club image data are obtained in one photographing area of the club camera.

12. A golf club fitting apparatus comprising:

a club camera continuously photographing a behavior of a golf club;

a ball camera continuously photographing a behavior of a golf ball; and

an information processor,

wherein the club camera is positioned in front of a golf player swinging the golf club, and an angle θ

c between a straight line C and a vertical line Z passing through a center of the golf ball is 10 degrees or greater and 20 degrees or less, the straight line C passing through a center of a lens of the club camera and the center of the golf ball;

two or more club image data continuously photographed by the club camera are synchronized;

two or more ball image data continuously photographed by the ball camera are synchronized;

the information processor measures a synchronized club behavior value from the synchronized club image data, measures a synchronized ball behavior value from the synchronized ball image data, stores the synchronized club behavior value and the synchronized ball behavior value, and determines a fitting golf club from a plurality of candidate golf clubs based on the club behavior value and the ball behavior value;

the number of the club camera is one; and

the photographing by the club camera is performed from a single direction of the angle θ

c.

13. The fitting apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the club behavior value is a face angle.

14. A swing analysis apparatus comprising:

a single club camera with a single lens continuously photographing a behavior of a golf club;

a ball camera continuously photographing a behavior of a golf ball; and

an information processor,

wherein the single club camera is positioned in front of a golf player swinging the golf club, and an angle θ

c between a straight line C and a vertical line Z passing through a center of the golf ball is 10 degrees or greater and 20 degrees or less, the straight line C passing through a center of a lens of the single club camera and the center of the golf ball;

two or more club image data continuously photographed by the single club camera are synchronized;

two or more ball image data continuously photographed by the ball camera are synchronized;

the information processor measures a synchronized club behavior value from the synchronized club image data, and measures a synchronized ball behavior value from the synchronized ball image data;

the number of the single club camera is one; and

the photographing by the single club camera is performed from a single direction of the angle θ

c.