Pictorial Flight Path Image Display Patents (Class 473/156)
  • Patent number: 6974391
    Abstract: An apparatus for uniquely identifying a golf ball at a target includes a simulated golfing green having one or multiple target area apertures therein. A ball collector is mounted under each aperture. A ball identification means cooperates with the ball collector for identifying uniquely identified game balls from non-uniquely identified golf balls and transmits identity information corresponding to each game ball of the game balls to a remote processing station for correlating the identity of a golfer with the identity information. A surveillance means cooperates with the first target area so as to provide for remote monitoring of the first target area. A first signal means is provided for signalling the golfer and a remote monitor when a uniquely identified game ball has entered the aperture. A first sensor means is provided for detecting when a uniquely identified game ball lands in the first target area and for signalling the golfer and a remote monitor upon such detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Inventors: Clifford L. Ainsworth, Robert G. Leach
  • Patent number: 6834129
    Abstract: A flying sphere is photographed twice at a predetermined time interval and two static images thus obtained are used to measure a rotation of the sphere through an image processing based on a recognition mark of a surface of the sphere. The recognition mark includes a central mark having a directivity and a rotating angle calculating mark provided to surround the central mark. The central mark includes a rectangle and a circle provided apart from the rectangle adjacent to one of short sides of the rectangle. Three or more rotating angle calculating marks are provided. Respective center positions of the rotating angle calculating marks are present in a region provided apart from a center position of the central mark by 13 mm to 17 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Asakura
  • Publication number: 20040209698
    Abstract: Reference points (M1 through M17) are specified in colors at two or more positions longitudinally spaced at a given interval on a golf club shaft (11a) and one or more positions selected from among a golfer's head and the like. A moving image of a golfer's swing is photographed by cameras (13-1, 13-2). The moving image of the swing is converted into a plurality of still images. The still images are stored in a computer (14). Evaluation items to be checked including a swing posture and a shaft angle in a range from an addressing state till an impact state are expressed by numeric values, based on coordinate data of each of the reference points (M1 through M17) disposed on a plurality of the still images. The data expressed by the numeric values are compared with judging data inputted to the computer (14) in advance as ideal values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Masahiko Ueda, Masahide Onuki, Hiroshi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 6793585
    Abstract: A swing measurement method of directly measuring a swing behavior without being influenced by flexure of an impact implement, such as a golf club or baseball bat is provided. In addition, a golf swing analysis method and computer program product having computer program code for a simple and effective model of the behavior of a grip portion during a golf swing is provided. A three dimensional magnetic sensor capable of measuring position and direction is fixed to a grip portion of the impact implement within magnetic fields in which the magnetic field distribution of intensity and direction are known, and the behavior of the swing is directly measured. In addition, the path of the grip portion is approximated as an arc within a swing plane using the three dimensional position coordinates of the grip portion obtained in this measurement, and thus an arm angle, a wrist angle, and an angle of shaft rotation are found.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Miyamoto, Hiroshi Saegusa
  • Patent number: 6634959
    Abstract: A golf ball locator system including a golf ball including an electromagnetic signal transmitter; at least two electromagnetic signal receivers configured to receive an electromagnetic signal transmitted by the golf ball; and a processor coupled to the receivers and configured to receive signals from the receivers, to determine a location of the golf ball using triangulation calculations, and to output at least one signal indicating the location of the golf ball in relation to a two-dimensional area including the location of the golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Oblon, Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt, P.C.
    Inventor: Eckhard H. Kuesters
  • Patent number: 6579190
    Abstract: A ball motion measuring apparatus has a CCD camera having a multi-shutter which can open and close successively; strobes; a swinging speed measuring sensor; and a controlling/computing device connected to the CCD camera, the strobes, and the swinging speed measuring sensor. The swinging speed measuring sensor outputs a trigger signal for opening/closing the shutter to the CCD camera when the swinging speed measuring sensor detects passage of a golf club. Upon receipt of the trigger signal, the multi-shutter opens and closes successively. Synchronously with the opening/closing of the multi-shutter, the strobes emit flashlight sequentially. In this manner, a plurality of images of a golf ball driven by the golf club are photographed in a one-image frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Akio Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20030083138
    Abstract: A golf-related video recording apparatus and method comprises a single hole golf course fairway, having positioned at one end a tee-off area, and at another end, a golf green with cup area. A field house structure is positioned adjacent the tee-off area and houses an electrical power source for powering video capturing means, a video storing means, and a video playback means. The video capturing means are preferably video cameras set for viewing the tee area and the cup area. The apparatus is electrically interconnected and enabled for capturing golf ball drives from the tee area and golf ball arrivals and cup drops for permanent recording. The system is fully self-contained and may be coin or token operated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventor: Gord Nelson
  • Publication number: 20020022531
    Abstract: A method of measuring rotational motion of a golf ball. A hit golf ball is photographed by use of two cameras disposed along the traveling direction of the golf ball with a predetermined distance therebetween, and rotational motion of the golf ball is measured based on the photographed images of the golf ball. There is used a golf ball that has a no-depression polygonal mark in black or a dark color close to black printed on the surface of the golf ball. The hit golf ball is photographed by use of two cameras, and the position of an angular point of the no-depression polygonal mark is detected from photographed images, by means of image processing. The rotational motion of the hit golf ball is calculated based on change in position of the angular point in images photographed by the two cameras.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventor: SHU KATAYAMA
  • Patent number: 6302802
    Abstract: An optical sensor net system for measuring the relational dynamic information of a spheroidal projectile. A support frame for the system may include light emitters that generate divergent non-parallel rays of light. The non-parallel rays of light emitted may be directed to and received by a plurality of light detectors substantially arranged within a single plane. The intersecting non-parallel rays of light may form an asymmetrical optical sensor net that may also capture both golf ball and golf club information as they pass through. The light detectors that receive the rays of light may be spaced apart at preselected locations and distances less than the diameter of a spheroidal object such as a golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Focaltron Corporation
    Inventor: Yi-Ching Pao
  • Patent number: 6286364
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Steven Aoyama, William Gobush, Diane I. Pelletier, Charles A. Days, George Costa
  • Patent number: 6244979
    Abstract: A pitching practice device includes a frame with four sides and a net portion composed of longitudinal and latitude strings is defined within the frame. Each string has an end connected to a connection member and the other end of the string is connected to a handle. Each connection member is connected to a spring and an emitting member is connected to the connection member. Each connection member is received in a tube fixedly located in the frame and has a receiving member. When the strings are hit by a ball, the emitting members send a message to the corresponding receiving members to calculate the speed of the ball by the displacement of the strings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: Wan-Hsiang Wu
  • Patent number: 6113504
    Abstract: A golf ball locator system. The golf ball comprises a transmitter that transmits a coded signal, identifying the ball, and that is received by an array of receivers. The receivers measure either the angle of arrival, or the time of arrival of the signal, which is transmitted to a processor that uses triangulation calculations to generate location coordinates of the golf ball. The processor then transmits the location coordinates to a display unit. The display unit can be portable and viewed by the golfer. The display unit can simply display golf ball position coordinates in relation to a pre-existing golf course map, or display the golf ball on a map which may include various landmarks of the golf course. The system can further include a player location device that allows the system to give audio or visual traveling instructions to assist the golfer to locate his/her ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Oblon, Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt, P.C.
    Inventor: Eckhard H. Kuesters
  • Patent number: 6095928
    Abstract: Capturing the path of an object moving through a sensing volume defined by a three-dimensional (3D) coordinate system. First, second, and third angle detectors are mounted in a common housing positionable at a vertex of a sensing cone encompassing the sensing volume, said first, second, and third detectors being separated from one another by known, fixed distances. Each detector receives a respective light beam from the object having a respective angle relative to a respective reference line of the 3D coordinate system, and provides a signal corresponding to said respective angle. At successive samples, successive coordinate positions of the object within the sensing volume are determined, given the first, second, and third angles at each said sample to determine said path, and the path is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventor: Kurt A. Goszyk
  • Patent number: 6012987
    Abstract: Apparatus to facilitate the playing of a recreational game. The apparatus includes an electronic surveillance camera (8) and a motion sensor (20) mounted above and focused on a target area (2). The image data generated by the camera (8) and the data generated by the motion sensor (20) is transmitted to a central processing unit. The image of the target area transmitted by the surveillance camera (8) is displayed on the screen of a video monitor. Movement of an object on the target area (2) is detected by the motion sensor (20) and displayed on the monitor screen. The central processing unit includes a library of target area overlays to alter the viewed charateristics of the target area on the monitor screen. Each target area may include a marker surrounded by a spaced apart scoring ring or rings so that a ball lying on the target area can, if it lies within a predetermined area, be allocated a score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Inventor: Ralph Wynyard Nation
  • Patent number: 5846139
    Abstract: A golf simulator has a housing and three arrays of IR receivers and emitters positioned in the housing. A launch area is established near one end of the housing, and a user can launch a golf ball located in the launch area and drive the ball into the housing through the planes defined by the arrays of emitters and against a screen positioned at one end of the housing. The planes established by the arrays are disposed vertically and perpendicular to the angle of travel of the ball. A computer is connected to the IR receivers, which detect the passage of the golf ball through each respective plane. Based upon the signals from the receivers the computer, using triangulation techniques, determines the horizontal and vertical position, as well as the velocity, of the ball for a range of shots including drives, steep chip shots and putts less than 4 feet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Carl J. Bair
    Inventors: Carl J. Bair, Robbie J. Bair, Leslie R. Corn
  • Patent number: 5626526
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a golf training device capable of forming a two-dimensional, single planar and total symmetrical optical sensor net for detecting movement of a golf ball. The device comprises a square frame which has a signal producing means holding part on the first horizontal and the first vertical sides of the frame and a signal detecting means holding part on the second horizontal and the second vertical sides of the frame. On the signal producing means holding part, a light signal producing means including a light signal emitting means is installed to generate a two-dimensional, single planar optical path net. A light signal detecting means is spatially arranged in the opposite sides of the frame in accordance with the light emitting means to form a totally symmetrical optical sensor net for detecting the light signals from the light signal producing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Inventors: Yi-Ching Pao, Mark V. Weckwerth