Launch monitor

• US 8,500,568 B2
• Filed: 06/07/2004
• Issued: 08/06/2013
• 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., Toupin, Michael J., Gobush, William, Gribben, Douglas Alan, Lentz, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): D'AGOSTINO, PAUL ANTHONY
• Application Number:
  US10/861,448
• Publication Number:
  US 20050272513A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,347 Days
• Field of Search: 473/151, 345/474
• US Class Current: 473/151
• 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. 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.

Claims

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.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the rate of automatically distinguishing between the first and second golf clubs is about three seconds or less.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the rate of automatically distinguishing between the first and second golf clubs is about one second or less.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing an imaging system having a resolution of greater than about 0.5 lp/mm.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the imaging system has a resolution of greater than about 1 lp/mm.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the imaging system has a resolution of greater than about 5 lp/mm.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said stored image reference information is based on at least one of a logo, an indicia printed on the surface of the golf club, or a geometric profile of the club.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one golf club has a marker applied to an outer surface.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the outer surface of the at least one golf club comprises at least 3 markers.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the markers are operable to create a high contrast with the surface of the at least one golf club.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the stored image reference information comprises information for about 50 or more golf clubs.

12. A system for identifying a golf object, comprising:

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.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the computational device is operable to identify the acquired image in about three seconds or less.

14. The system according to claim 12, wherein the computational device is operable to identify the acquired image in about one second or less.

15. The system according to claim 12, further comprising an imaging system having a resolution of greater than about 0.5 lp/mm.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the resolution comprises greater than about 1 lp/mm.

17. The system according to claim 15, wherein the resolution comprises greater than about 5 lp/mm.

18. The system according to claim 12, wherein the stored reference information is based on features of said golf objects comprising a logo, an indicia printed on the surface of the golf object, or a geometric profile of the golf object.

19. A method for identifying a golf ball, comprising:

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.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the stored image reference information is based on features of the golf ball comprising one or more of a logo, an indicia printed on the surface of the golf ball, or a geometric profile of the golf ball.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

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 identifying the at least one golf club is about six seconds or less.