Method and system for golf ball fitting analysis

• US 8,935,103 B2
• Filed: 07/15/2010
• Issued: 01/13/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Ishii, Hideyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Assouad, Patrick
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zhang, Haidong
• Application Number:
  US12/836,815
• Publication Number:
  US 20120016599A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,643 Days
• Field of Search: 702/33, 901/2
• US Class Current: 702/33
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0009 Computerised real time comparison with previous movements or motion sequences of the user
• 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 2024/004 Multiple detectors or sensors each defining a different zone
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0043 Systems for locating the point of impact on a specific surface
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0046 Mechanical means for locating the point of impact or entry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0056 for statistical or strategic analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/10 with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/05 Image processing for measuring physical parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/10 Positions
• 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 2220/56 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/70 Measuring or simulating ambient conditions, e.g. weather, terrain or surface conditions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/72 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/75 Humidity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/801 Contact switches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/802 : Ultra-sound sensors
• 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 2220/808 : Microphones
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/89 : Field sensors, e.g. radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/02 : Testing, calibrating or measuring of equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 : with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 : Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 : Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 47/008 : Devices for measuring or verifying ball characteristics
• 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 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
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/02 : for large-room or outdoor sporting games
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0421 : by interrupting or reflecting a light beam, e.g. optical touch-screen

Abstract

The present invention provides golf ball recommendations correlating to a golfer'"'"'s swing parameters determined by comparing the flight characteristics of a golf ball driven by the golfer with a database of flight characteristics of golf balls associated with particular swing parameters. The swing parameters in the database may be correlated with golf ball flight characteristics determined using empirical tests.

Claims

1. A method for determining a golf ball fit value, the method comprising the steps of:

determining a grid position of a golf ball hit by a golfer toward a physical grid comprising a single plane intersecting a flight path of the golf ball, wherein the grid position corresponds to a location of the golf ball as it passes through the physical grid, wherein the physical grid comprises a plurality of rigid members disposed across the physical grid in an intersecting manner, the plurality of rigid members configured to hold a plurality of frangible panels;

determining at least one flight characteristic of the golf ball by correlating the grid position where the golf ball passes through the physical grid to the at least one flight characteristic of the golf ball using a look-up table stored in the memory of a computerized system;

estimating at least one swing profile characteristic of the golfer using the at least one flight characteristic of the golf ball;

fitting the golfer to a golf ball using the at least one swing profile characteristic,

wherein the at least one swing profile characteristic includes one or more of club head speed, launch angle, and attack angle, and

the at least one flight characteristic includes one or more of ball speed, total ball spin, ball trajectory, and total distance.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of estimating the at least one swing profile characteristic is performed by accessing a database of swing parameters corresponding to flight characteristics.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the database is created by the steps of:

directing a robot to swing a golf club to drive a golf ball toward the physical grid, wherein the robot is programmed to swing the golf club in a variety of combinations of swing profile characteristics; and

collecting information on a grid location of the golf ball for each of the variety of combinations of swing parameters.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the grid position corresponds to a visible mark on the physical grid at a location where the golf ball passes through the physical grid.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the visible mark comprises at least one frangible panel that has been broken away from being held in place by the rigid members.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of frangible panels comprises a frangible material and the grid position of the golf ball corresponds to a puncture in the frangible material.

7. A method of compiling a database for a system for fitting a golfer with a golf ball, wherein the database is compiled by the steps of:

programming a robot to swing a golf club to drive a golf ball toward a physical grid in one of a variety of swing profiles, wherein the physical grid comprises a single plane intersecting a flight path of the golf ball, the grid further comprising a plurality of rigid members disposed across the grid in an intersecting manner, wherein the plurality of rigid members is configured to hold a plurality of frangible panels;

directing the robot to hit the golf ball toward the grid;

determining a grid position of the golf ball as the golf ball passes through the grid; and

storing information on flight characteristics of the golf ball in the database corresponding to the variety of combinations of golf swing parameters and a corresponding grid position for each of the combinations of golf swing parameters,

wherein the flight characteristics of a golf ball comprise one or more of ball speed, ball spin, ball trajectory, and total distance,

wherein the parameters of a golfer'"'"'s swing comprise one or more of club head speed, launch angle, and attack angle.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the steps are repeated after programming the robot to swing the golf club to drive the golf ball toward the grid with a different swing profile of the variety of swing profiles.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the variety of swing profiles includes a specified number of swing profiles and the process is repeated the specified number of swing profiles.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the grid position corresponds to a visible mark on the grid at a location where the golf ball passes through the grid.

11. A golf ball fitting system comprising:

a physical grid;

a monitoring system;

a swing profile determination module; and

a golf ball selection module;

wherein the physical grid comprises a single plane intersecting a flight path of a golf ball, the grid further comprising a plurality of rigid members disposed across the grid in an intersecting manner, wherein the plurality of rigid members is configured to hold a plurality of frangible panels; and

wherein a grid position where the golf ball passes through the grid corresponds to at least one swing profile characteristic of a golfer.

12. The golf ball fitting system of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of frangible panels comprises a frangible material and the grid position of the golf ball corresponds to a puncture in the frangible material.

13. The golf ball fitting system of claim 11, wherein the grid position corresponds to a visible mark on the grid at a location where the golf ball passes through the grid.

14. The golf ball fitting system of claim 11, wherein the monitoring system comprises an image capturing system.

15. The golf ball fitting system of claim 11, wherein the swing profile determination module includes a database correlating the grid position with the at least one swing profile characteristic.

16. The golf ball fitting system of claim 11, wherein the golf ball fitting system further comprises a database correlating the at least one swing profile characteristic with a golf ball.