Abstract: An integrated circuit capacitor and an integrated circuit are provided. The integrated circuit capacitor includes at least first, second and third conducting plates. The first conducting plate is positioned between the second and third plates. A first dielectric layer is positioned between the first and third conducting plates. A second dielectric layer is positioned between the first and second conducting plates. An “overlap portion” of the second conducting plate extends beyond the edge of the first conducting plate and towards the third conducting plate. The capacitor is arranged so that the electrical breakdown voltage between the overlap portion and the third conducting plate is lower than the electrical breakdown voltage between the first and second conducting plates.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a launch monitor system that measures flight characteristics of an object moving in a predetermined field-of-view. The system includes a support structure, a lighting unit, a camera unit disposed on the support structure, and a calibration assembly. The calibration assembly includes a calibration fixture and at least one telescoping member. A first end of the telescoping member is coupled to the support structure and a second end is contactable with or coupled to the fixture. In an extended position of the telescoping member, the calibration fixture is in the field-of-view of the camera unit. In a retracted position, the calibration fixture out of the field-of-view. The calibration fixture further includes contrasting markings. In another embodiment, the system includes a frame and the launch monitor is pivotally suspended from the frame so that it self-levels. The present invention further includes a method of calibrating a launch monitor having a calibration fixture.

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.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a launch monitor system that measures flight characteristics of an object moving in a predetermined field-of-view. The system includes a support structure, a lighting unit, a camera unit disposed on the support structure, and a calibration assembly. The calibration assembly includes a calibration fixture and at least one telescoping member. A first end of the telescoping member is coupled to the support structure and a second end is contactable with or coupled to the fixture. In an extended position of the telescoping member, the calibration fixture is in the field-of-view of the camera unit. In a retracted position, the calibration fixture out of the field-of-view. The calibration fixture further includes contrasting markings. In another embodiment, the system includes a frame and the launch monitor is pivotally suspended from the frame so that it self-levels. The present invention further includes a method of calibrating a launch monitor having a calibration fixture.

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.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a launch monitor system that measures club motion data and ball motion data. The system includes a club monitor and a ball monitor. The club monitor obtains images of the club before impact with the ball, and the ball monitor takes images of the ball after impact during a single swing. The present invention further includes a method of monitoring a club and ball in a single swing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for channeling funds to a plurality of eleemosynary organizations. The method includes the steps of receiving a payment request by an issuer of a credit card from a merchant based upon use of the credit card where the credit card contains a blind identifier of an eleemosynary organization of the plurality of eleemosynary organizations, transferring a predetermined payment from the issuer to a trust organization along with the blind identifier of the eleemosynary organization, retrieving a name of the eleemosynary organization by the trust organization based upon the transferred blind identifier and transferring the predetermined payment from the trust organization to the eleemosynary organization based upon the retrieved name of the eleemosynary organization.

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.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for quantifying the stiffness of a golf ball or golf ball core under normal use conditions while also measuring the contact time, wherein an air cannon, or the like, is used to shoot an object horizontally against a block while the inbound and outbound velocities of the object are measured by two light gates separated by a given distance and the contact time is measured by optical sensors located at the block, and wherein the measured times and calculated velocities are then used to calculate the coefficient of restitution and contact time of the object.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for quantifying the stiffness of a golf ball or golf ball core that would be experienced during typical use (i.e., impact) while also measuring the contact time. Preferably, the invention comprises an air cannon for shooting an object horizontally against a block. The velocities of the object towards and away from the block can be measured by two light gates separated by a given distance. The contact time can also be measured by optical sensors located at the block. The measured times and calculated velocities can then be used to calculate the coefficient of restitution and contact time of the object. These quantities can be further used to gauge the dynamic stiffness and resilience of a golf ball, or portion thereof, typically under conditions of normal use.

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.

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.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a launch monitor system that measures club motion data and ball motion data. The system includes a club monitor and a ball monitor. The club monitor obtains images of the club before impact with the ball, and the ball monitor takes images of the ball after impact during a single swing. The present invention further includes a method of monitoring a club and ball in a single swing.

Abstract: A method and a system for measuring the spin decay rate of a golf ball. The system includes an indoor testing area, a launching device, and a measuring device positioned at a final position along the ball's flight path. When the ball is launched by the launching device, the measuring device measures the spin rate and speed at the final position. Then, the launching device can launch the ball at the speed and spin rate of the final position and a new final speed and spin rate are measured again. The spin rate difference from launching to the final position is used to determine the spin decay rate. By using discrete spin decay rate measurements, the spin decay rate profile of a golf ball during its entire flight can be measured in the indoor area.

Abstract: A launch monitor system including a support structure, a first light-reflecting element disposed on this support structure, a lighting unit and a 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.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a multiple flash/single lamp circuit for fast sequential strobing. More particularly, the present invention comprises a flashlamp, a pair of capacitors, a voltage multiplier and regulator to charge the capacitors, a pair of trigger circuits to discharge the capacitors and a controller to selectively activate each trigger circuit to activate the flashlamp.

Abstract: A striking instrument and struck object monitoring system including at least two shutterable camera units which view a field of view each of which cameras receives light patterns from each and every one of a plurality of contrasting areas on the instrument and the object in rapid successive sequence. A computer receives the signals generated by the light patterns as received by each camera unit which computer discriminates between such signals to determine the instrument's movement and orientation, and the conditions at impact with the object. The striking instrument may be any selected golf club which club is initially scanned by the system to determine it's proper striking location prior to the club being swung through the field of view.

Abstract: A striking instrument and struck object monitoring system including at least two shutterable camera units which view a field of view each of which cameras receives light patterns from each and every one of a plurality of contrasting areas on the instrument and the object in rapid successive sequence. A computer receives the signals generated by the light patterns as received by each camera unit which computer discriminates between such signals to determine the instrument's movement and orientation, and the conditions at impact with the object.The striking instrument may be any selected golf club which club is initially scanned by the system to determine it's proper striking location prior to the club being swung through the field of view.

Abstract: A striking instrument and struck object monitoring system including at least two shutterable camera units which view a field of view each of which cameras receives light patterns from each and every one of a plurality of contrasting areas on the instrument and the object in rapid successive sequence. A computer receives the signals generated by the light patterns as received by each camera unit which computer discriminates between such signals to determine the instrument's movement and orientation, and the conditions at impact with the object.The striking instrument may be any selected golf club which club is initially scanned by the system to determine it's proper striking location prior to the club being swung through the field of view.