Method and apparatus to determine golf ball trajectory and flight

• US 6,500,073 B1
• Filed: 12/21/1999
• Issued: 12/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Days, Charles, Aoyama, Steven, Hebert, Edmund A., Winfield, Douglas C., Gobush, William, Silveira, James Alan, Pelletier, Diane
• Primary Examiner(s): SAGER, MARK ALAN
• Application Number:
  US09/468,351
• Time in Patent Office: 1,106 Days
• Field of Search: 473/131, 473/140-141, 473/198-200, 473/219-226, 473/409, 434/247, 434/252, 700/91-92, 356/28, 356/152.1, 356/152.3, 348/157, 348/169, 348/552
• US Class Current: 473/199
• 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 2220/70 Measuring or simulating ambient conditions, e.g. weather, terrain or surface conditions
• 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 2225/74 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 24/0021 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 43/06 : with illuminating devices ; with reflective surfaces
• 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 69/3658 : 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
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 11/12 : using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/18 : wherein range gates are used
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/50 : Systems of measurement based on relative movement of target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/66 : Tracking systems using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/89 : for mapping or imaging

Abstract

A launch monitor system including a support structure, a first light-reflecting element disposed on this support structure, a lighting unit and an camera unit. A computer receives signals generated by light patterns received by the camera unit and computes a variety of flight characteristics for the object. The system may be moved back and forth to vary the field-of-view of the camera unit. The system also computes and displays object trajectories from the computed flight characteristics which account for the characteristics of the object and the atmospheric conditions.

Claims

1. A method of calculating the trajectory of an object based on flight characteristics measured while the object is moving in a predetermined field-of-view comprising the steps of:

providing a portable launch monitor system comprising a first camera unit pointed toward the predetermined field-of-view;

taking at least two images of the object while in the predetermined field-of-view, the at least two images taken at two different times;

determining the locations and orientations of the object in the predetermined field-of-view from the images;

calculating launch conditions of the object from the locations and orientations of the object; and

calculating the trajectory of the object from the calculated launch conditions.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the image taking step is preceded by defining the system operating parameters.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the object has reflective areas to reflect light from the monitor system thereby causing areas of brightness in the images and the step of determining the locations and orientations of the object in the predetermined field-of-view from the images further includes the steps of:

locating areas of brightness in each image;

determining which of the areas of brightness in the images correspond to the reflective areas on the object;

locating the centers of the areas of brightness in each image; and

calculating the center of the object from the centers of the areas of brightness in the images.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the image taking step is preceded by the steps of:

selecting a specific orientation of a person hitting the object;

selecting a mode of operation, the modes of operation being a test mode and a demonstration mode; and

entering site specific data, the site specific data including ambient conditions and object characteristics.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the ambient conditions include at least one of temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, and elevation.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the object is a first golf ball and the method further includes the step of calculating the trajectory of a second golf ball from the launch conditions calculated for the first golf ball, the second golf ball being of a different design from the first golf ball.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the launch conditions include at least one of a spin rate, speed, and launch angle of the object.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the method further includes the step of comparing the trajectory of the first golf ball to the second golf ball.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the object is a first golf ball and the method further includes the step of comparing the trajectory of the first golf ball with a second golf ball, the second golf ball having been hit at a previous point in time with a different club than the first golf ball.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the object is a first golf ball and the method further includes the step of comparing the trajectory of the first golf ball with a second golf ball, the second golf ball having been hit by a second golfer at a previous point in time than the first golf ball.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the image taking step is preceded by calibrating the system.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of calibrating comprises the steps of:

setting up the launch monitoring system;

arranging a calibration fixture with a plurality of reflective dots in at least three different planes in the predetermined field-of-view;

imaging the calibration fixture;

determining the location of the reflective dots in the image;

obtaining data corresponding to the location of the reflective dots; and

calculating calibration values for each camera imaging the object based on the location of the dots in the image and the location data.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of taking images of the object comprises the steps of:

initiating movement of the object;

sending a signal to the launch monitoring system in response to the movement of the object;

illuminating the object in response to the sent signal; and

taking at least one image in response to the sent signal while the object is illuminated.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of:

waiting a predetermined time interval after the at least one image is taken of the object;

illuminating the object a second time after the predetermined time interval; and

taking at least one additional image while the object is illuminated.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the predetermined time interval is programmable.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein two images are taken simultaneously from the first camera unit and a second camera unit, wherein both the first and second cameras are focused on overlapping portion of the predetermined field-of-view.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of calculating launch conditions includes calculating the spin rate and the launch angle of the object and further comprising the steps of:

determining a range of spin rates of the object relative to the calculated spin rate;

determining a range of launch angles of the object relative to the calculated launch angle; and

calculating a pluralities of trajectories for the object based on the range of spin rates and the range of launch angles.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of:

calculating distances the object will travel for each of the plurality of calculated trajectories; and

displaying the plurality of calculated distances to determine the spin rate and launch angle that produces a maximum distance.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

displaying the trajectory of the object.

20. A method of calculating the trajectory of an object in an outdoor environment based on flight characteristics measured while the object is moving in a predetermined field-of-view comprising the steps of:

providing a launch monitor system comprising a first camera unit pointed toward the predetermined field-of-view;

taking at least two images of the object in the outdoor environment and while in the predetermined field-of-view, the at least two images taken at two different times;

determining the locations and orientations of the object in the predetermined field-of-view from the images;

calculating launch conditions of the object from the locations and orientations of the object; and

calculating the trajectory of the object from the calculated launch conditions.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of providing trajectory information on a display.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the object is a golf ball.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the trajectory information provided comprises carry distance.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the trajectory information provided comprises roll distance.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the trajectory information provided comprises an indication of whether the golf ball trajectory is a slice or a hook.

26. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of displaying the spin rate, speed, and direction of the golf ball.

27. The method of claim 20, wherein the launch monitor system comprises a portable support structure.

28. A method of calculating the trajectory of an object based on flight characteristics measured while the object is moving in a predetermined field-of-view comprising the steps of:

providing a portable launch monitor system comprising a first camera unit pointed toward the predetermined field-of-view and a second camera unit pointed toward the predetermined field-of-view, wherein the first and second cameras are focused on overlapping portions of the field-of-view;

capturing images of the object with both the first and second camera units at least at two different times while the object is in the predetermined field-of-view;

determining the locations and orientations of the object in the predetermined field-of-view from the images;

calculating launch conditions of the object from the locations and orientations of the object; and

calculating the trajectory of the object from the calculated launch conditions.