Launch monitor

• US 7,395,696 B2
• Filed: 06/07/2004
• Issued: 07/08/2008
• 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., Gribben, Douglas Alan, Lentz, Paul, Gobush, William, Toupin, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOORI, MAX H
• Application Number:
  US10/861,443
• Publication Number:
  US 20050268704A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,492 Days
• Field of Search: 73/650.3
• US Class Current: 73/65.03
• 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 measuring golf club and ball kinematics, comprising:

a camera system operable to acquire a plurality of images of a field of view; and

a self-contained power cell;

wherein;

the power cell is operable to provide power to the apparatus for at least two hours;

the apparatus is movable to a plurality of locations;

the apparatus is operable to determine golf ball kinematic information selected from the group consisting of ball speed, ball elevation angle, ball azimuth angle, ball back spin, ball rifle spin, ball side spin, and ball impact location on the golf club face;

and the apparatus is operable to determine golf club kinematic information selected from the group consisting of club head speed, club head path angle, club head attack angle, club head loft, club head droop, club head face angle, club head face spin, club head droop spin, club head loft spin, and ball impact location on the golf club face.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the self-contained power cell is rechargeable.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the self-contained power cell is operable to provide power for at least four hours.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the self-contained power cell is operable to provide power for at least eight hours.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the self-contained power cell comprises a battery.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the self-contained power cell comprises a nickel metal hydride battery or a lithium ion battery.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the self-contained power cell has a storage capacity of 50 or more watt-hours.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the self-contained power cell has a storage capacity of 250 or more watt-hours.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the self-contained power cell has a storage capacity of 500 or more watt-hours.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a housing sized and configured to hold the camera system and the self-contained power cell, and wherein the apparatus further comprises an electronic display integrally formed in the housing.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the electronic display has a diagonal size of about 10 inches or greater.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is movable to a plurality of locations based on at least two rolling devices.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is movable to a plurality of locations based on at least two wheels.

14. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the battery is selectively positioned within a housing.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the battery comprises about 10% or less of the space within the housing.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the camera system comprises four cameras.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the apparatus further comprises two light sources operable to illuminate the field of view.

18. A method for measuring golf club and ball kinematics, comprising:

providing a portable housing; and

selectively positioning a battery within said portable housing;

determining golf club kinematic information selected from the group comprising club head speed, club head path angle, club head attack angle, club head loft, club head droop, club head face angle, club head face spin, club head droop spin, club head loft spin, and ball impact location on the golf club face;

wherein the battery operable to provide operating power for at least two hours;

and the portable housing is based on at least two rolling devices.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the battery is operable to provide operating power for at least four hours.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the battery is operable to provide operating power for at least eight hours.

21. The method according to claim 18, wherein the portable housing is based on at least two wheels.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the method determines golf club kinematic information selected from the group consisting of club head speed, club head path angle, club head attack angle, club head loft, club head droop, club head face angle, club head face spin, club head droop spin, club head loft spin, and ball impact location on the golf club face.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein the method determines golf ball kinematic information selected from the group consisting of ball speed, ball elevation angle, ball azimuth angle, ball back spin, ball rifle spin, ball side spin, and ball impact location on the golf club face.

24. An apparatus, comprising:

providing a portable housing operable to determine the kinematic characteristics of a golf ball and golf club in motion, the kinematic characteristics of the golf club and golf ball determined after the golf ball is struck by a golf club;

selectively positioning a battery within the portable housing;

reducing the power consumption from the battery when a golf ball and golf club are not within a field of view of the portable housing;

increasing the power consumption from the battery when a golf ball and golf club are within a field of view of the portable housing; and

providing at least two rolling devices to move the portable housing.