Abstract: The present invention is directed to a monitor system that measures flight characteristics of at least one object moving in a predetermined field-of-view using at least one fluorescent marker. The system may include a lighting unit with a light filter, at least one camera unit with a camera filter. The lighting unit directs light in the direction of the object. If there is a light filter the light is filtered prior to reaching the object. The camera unit is pointed toward the object and the camera filter inhibits all wavelengths except those in a certain range. The reflected light from the object is transmitted to the camera through the camera filter. In one embodiment, the system includes a camera filter that is electronically switchable between at least two colors. The present invention further includes methods for monitoring at least one object with at least one marker using filters.

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.

Abstract: A system (20) for capturing and analyzing golf club information and golf ball information during and after a golfer's swing is disclosed herein. The golf club information includes golf club head orientation, golf club head velocity, and golf club spin. The golf club head orientation includes dynamic lie, loft and face angle of the golf club head. The golf club head velocity includes path of the golf club head, attack of the golf club head and downrange information. The golf ball information includes golf ball velocity, golf ball launch angle, golf ball side angle, golf ball speed manipulation and golf ball orientation. The golf ball orientation includes the true spin of the golf ball, and the tilt axis of the golf ball which entails the back spin and the side spin of the golf ball. The system includes camera units (26 and 28), a trigger device (30) and a computer (22).

Abstract: A launch monitor system including a light source and at least one camera unit with an electronic shutter. The camera unit captures at least one image of an object in flight when the electronic shutter is activated. A computer receives signals related to the image and computes launch conditions for the object. The system also computes and displays object trajectories from the computed launch conditions and a predetermined set of lift and drag parameters 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: 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 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.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that can determine the speed of a golf club or golf ball, and report that speed in a format suitable for use on a television broadcast, a radio broadcast, the Internet or another medium. In one embodiment, the system includes a set of radars pointed toward the golf ball. Data from the radars is collected and sent to a computer which can determine the speed of the club during a swing, the speed of the ball after being hit, the angle of the path of the ball and/or other related statistics.

Abstract: A system (20) for capturing and analyzing golf club information and golf ball information during and after a golfer's swing is disclosed herein. The golf club information includes golf club head orientation, golf club head velocity, and golf club spin. The golf club head orientation includes dynamic lie, loft and face angle of the golf club head. The golf club head velocity includes path of the golf club head, attack of the golf club head and downrange information. The golf ball information includes golf ball velocity, golf ball launch angle, golf ball side angle, golf ball speed manipulation and golf ball orientation. The golf ball orientation includes the true spin of the golf ball, and the tilt axis of the golf ball which entails the back spin and the side spin of the golf ball. The system includes camera units (26 and 28), a trigger device (30) and a computer (22).

Abstract: A game apparatus and method can determine flight characteristics of an object propelled by a player from a launch site toward a backstop. The foregoing can operate with a launch detector located at the launch site for producing a launch signal in response to launching of the object. A backstop sensing arrangement may be employed at the backstop having at least one spaced pair of sensors for producing a pair of arrival signals in response to arrival of the object at the backstop. A processor may be employed, which is coupled to the launch detector and the backstop sensing arrangement. The processor can (a) determine the relative response times of the launch detector and the backstop sensing arrangement, and (b) produce a characteristic signal as a function of the relative arrival times of the pair of arrival signals.

Abstract: A golf play pacing system utilizing a device that is contained in the flag stick itself. The system is initiated either by an external device or by an activation switch in the flag stick that is activated when the stick moves through an arc of approximately 45°, and reactivated when the stick is returned to perpendicular. The system includes circuitry that measures a plurality of parameters since the last reset of the device, and activates alarm mechanisms when specific time parameters have expired. The alarm mechanism includes visual and audible alarms for the golfers and alarm communication capability to alert third parties. The system also includes a data display.

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.

Abstract: A hybrid format for representing a video lesson which is transported from a first location to a second location across a communication channel includes a first item having a first format type and a second item having a second format type. The first format type is different from said second format type, yet the lesson can be played to the student as if it were a single contiguous data item. As such, efficiencies can be obtained in storage and transfer.

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: 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.

Abstract: A golf play pacing device that is contained in the flag stick itself. The device includes an orientation sensing switch in the flag stick that is activated when the stick moves through an arc of approximately 45.degree., and reactivated when the stick is returned to perpendicular. The orientation switch controls circuitry that measures the time expired since the last reset of the device, and activates an alarm mechanism when that time is expired. The alarm mechanism includes visual alarms for the golfers and alarm capability for third parties. A sequence to monitor the putting time of players on the green can also be activated.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of measuring the motion of a golf ball. The passing of a club head to hit a ball is detected by a sensor. A detection signal is sent from the sensor to a trigger section of a control unit. In response to the detection signal, shutter signals are sent from the trigger section to first and second cameras at a proper timing, while providing an appropriate time lag between the shutter signals, so as to photograph an image of the hit golf ball through the first and second cameras. The first and second cameras are disposed facing horizontally, apart from each other, and away from the set position of the ball at a predetermined distance. This method enables the motion of the golf ball to be measured even outdoors and through use of a relatively inexpensive apparatus.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining flight parameters of a ball in flight along a flight path, includes a pair of light conditioning elements on the ball, a first set of sensors having mutually orthogonal fields of view intersecting along a first plane through which the ball initially passes during flight and a second set of sensors having mutually orthogonal fields of view intersecting along a second plane through which the ball subsequently passes during flight. Each sensor includes a linear array of photodiodes for obtaining a linear image of a linear section of the ball. A controller successively pulses the sensors at microsecond intervals to obtain multiple, successive linear images of successive linear sections of the ball to obtain first and second reconstructed images of the entire ball and the locations of the elements thereon at the first and second planes, respectively, and processes changes in the locations of the elements at the first and second planes to derive the flight parameters.

Abstract: A system for enhancing the television presentation of an object at a sporting event includes one or more sensors which are used to determine the location of the object. Based on the location of the object and the field of view of a broadcast camera, a processor determines the position of the object in a video frame of the broadcast camera. Once knowing where the object is positioned within the video frame, the television signal can be edited or augmented to enhance the presentation of the object.

Abstract: This system combines television and computer technology to permit one or more golfers to play a highly realistic round of golf from tees to greens. Each golf clubhead has color-coded bars on the rear lower and outer surfaces. As the clubhead approaches the ball it is multiply strobed and the images of the bars recorded on two color TV cameras perpendicular to each other and to the clubhead direction of travel. The resulting TV color images are digitized and transmitted to the computer. The stroke and club data implicit in the images are sufficient to permit computing the ball's total trajectory on the ground and cause it to be projected on the TV screen as the golfer would see it in actuality. The trajectory is superimposed on a TV view of the hole from the golfer's position. The ball's final position on a map of the hole is used to determine the TV view presented on the screen for his next stroke.

Abstract: A device for measuring the movement of a ball is a flat pad or a frame defining an opening with one or more magnetic field inducing elements mounted thereon. One or more sensor elements are mounted in the flat pad or the frame, and connected to instrumentation so as to record induced, time-varying current signals from disturbances in a magnetic field by the ball penetrating the field. The device may also be arranged so as to measure the spin characteristics and other vectors of a conductive, charged and/or magnetized golf ball penetrating field. Or, the device may be arranged so as to have no magnetic field inducing elements, whereby the magnetic field of a modified, magnetized golf ball, when passing through an opening, or over a flat pad, induces time varying current signals in at least one sensor element, which can be processed to predict the complete ball flight parameters, i.e., velocity, trajectory and spin.

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.

Abstract: An arrangement for use in training players of a game during a simulated game session in the correct use of a game implement that has to be moved properly during an actual game to encounter a ball and impart to the latter a desired trajectory of movement after impacting the same includes light-emitting devices that emit at least one initial and two subsequent detection light beams from locations arranged at the corners of a triangle into substantially vertically oriented upwardly conically diverging spatial sectors. A reflective surface associated with the implement reflects the light of the respective detection light beam back to the respective location as the implement passes through the respective spatial sector with an intensity that is in a predetermined functional relationship when reaching the respective location to the distance of the reflecting means from the same location and to the degree of penetration of the reflecting means into the respective spatial sector.

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 rotation speed measuring machine for a flying globe is formed of a light projecting device 10 projecting light on a measurement conducting area A which is a space including an expected flying route of a flying globe B after the globe has been hit at a hitting position, a light receiving device 20 which receives reflection light from the flying globe flying in the measurement conducting area A and which outputs a signal according to the fluctuation of the amount of reflected light, and a rotational speed detecting means 30 detecting the rotational speed of the flying globe B based on the output signal from the light receiving device 20 in order to measure the rotational speed of the flying globe B by putting a mark M having a light reflectance rate different from the reflectance rate of the surface texture on a part of the surface of the flying globe B and by detecting the amount of reflected light from the mark.

Abstract: A practice putting green assembly has a strip of artificial grass supported on an articulated multi-sectional frame. A plurality of motor/lift arm combinations can selectively raise or lower individual hinge points between the frame sections. A programmable circuit such as a microprocessor, is able to store a repertoire of programs of different movements responsive to the individual motor/lift arm combinations. This way, a series of topographies of the artificial grass strip may be selected by a player from a plug-in console connected to the programmable circuit. Putted balls are returned to a player over the grass surface by automatically inclining the target end of the grass strip toward the player, causing a pendulum controlled cup to empty and any balls on the grass surface to roll under gravity back to the player.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for determining parameters of motion regarding a struck projectile. The invention has particular application to determining the launch parameters of a golf ball struck by a golf club. A Doppler microwave speed sensor measures the apparent speed of a struck golf ball, which is the true speed of the ball subtended onto a radial from the sensor to the ball. The speed sensor is positioned a substantial lateral distance from a straight aim line, and the sensor's microwave beam is wide. As a result of this deployment, and in contrast to the typical usage of microwave speed sensors, the apparent speed measured by the sensor differs significantly from the true speed of the ball. The measured apparent speed results from a complicated interaction of initial ball speed, loft angle, and aim angle. A computer connected to the sensor acquires measured apparent speed data into an array.

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.

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.