Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring the concentricity of golf balls using varying energy levels to gather and analyze data on concentricity.

Abstract: A system for determining kinematics of at least one object including a tracking computer including one or more processors and a memory, a camera system in electronic communication with the tracking computer and configured to capture images of the at least one object, and a LIDAR system in electronic communication with the tracking computer and configured to detect the at least one object. The memory contains processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the tracking computer to receive image data from the camera system and receive LIDAR data from the LIDAR system, and analyze the image data and the LIDAR data to determine flight characteristics of the at least one object.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring the concentricity of golf balls using filter pairs to gather and analyze data on concentricity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring the concentricity of golf balls using varying energy levels to gather and analyze data on concentricity.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to lightweight, portable robot for analyzing golf balls for short game performance attributes. The preferred robot is specifically designed to be lightweight and portable and to be able to hit a golf ball off of the ground or a mat that simulates the ground such that realistic short game performance of clubs and balls can be evaluated.

Abstract: A launch monitor that generates three dimensional images to accurately measure movement of golf objects. In an aspect, the launch monitor can utilize stereographic camera systems to capture images from which three dimensional images can be generated. In an aspect, the launch monitor can utilize light-field camera systems to capture images of the golf objects. In an aspect, the camera systems can capture images in color.

Abstract: A launch monitor that generates three dimensional images to accurately measure movement of golf objects. In an aspect, the launch monitor can utilize stereographic camera systems to capture images from which three dimensional images can be generated. In an aspect, the launch monitor can utilize light-field camera systems to capture images of the golf objects. In an aspect, the camera systems can capture images in color.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to lightweight, portable robot for analyzing golf balls for short game performance attributes. The preferred robot is specifically designed to be lightweight and portable and to be able to hit a golf ball off of the ground or a mat that simulates the ground such that realistic short game performance can be evaluated.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to lightweight, portable robot for analyzing golf balls for short game performance attributes. The preferred robot is specifically designed to be lightweight and portable and to be able to hit a golf ball off of the ground or a mat that simulates the ground such that realistic short game performance of clubs and balls can be evaluated.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to lightweight, portable robot for analyzing golf balls for short game performance attributes. The preferred robot is specifically designed to be lightweight and portable and to be able to hit a golf ball off of the ground or a mat that simulates the ground such that realistic short game performance of clubs and balls can be evaluated.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to lightweight, portable robot for analyzing golf balls for short game performance attributes. The preferred robot is specifically designed to be lightweight and portable and to be able to hit a golf ball off of the ground or a mat that simulates the ground such that realistic short game performance can be evaluated.

Abstract: An automated object inspection system is presented. The inspection system includes an imaging system to produce at least two images of said object having different optical properties and an analyzer coupled to the imaging system to receive the images and to perform a variety of inspection operations on said images. The imaging system may produce images of the object under inspection in the visible range having varying exposure values. A vision engine included in the analyzer may combine said images through an algorithmic process into one image having high light dynamic range. Alternatively, the imaging system may produce images of the object in the visible or non-visible electromagnetic range. The analyzer may perform inspection routines on said images. An imaging system capable of producing digital video is presented, wherein each frame of video produced by said camera is composed of multiple images having different optical properties.

Abstract: An automated object inspection system is presented. The inspection system includes an imaging system to produce at least two images of said object having different optical properties and an analyzer coupled to the imaging system to receive the images and to perform a variety of inspection operations on said images. The imaging system may produce images of the object under inspection in the visible range having varying exposure values. A vision engine included in the analyzer may combine said images through an algorithmic process into one image having high light dynamic range. Alternatively, the imaging system may produce images of the object in the visible or non-visible electromagnetic range. The analyzer may perform inspection routines on said images. An imaging system capable of producing digital video is presented, wherein each frame of video produced by said camera is composed of multiple images having different optical properties.

Abstract: A method of orienting a spherical object comprising the steps of acquiring an image of a spherical object at an imaging station; analyzing the image with a first computer to determine an analysis; transferring the object from the imaging station to orienting stations using a transfer mechanism; and orienting the object to a predetermined orientation according to the analysis; wherein the orienting stations comprise first, second, and third stations each rotating the object about a single axis; the first, second, and third stations collectively orienting the object by rotation about alternately perpendicular axes. In one embodiment, at least one of the orienting stations is at least partially mounted onto the transfer mechanism. In another embodiment, the transfer mechanism is a compliant object carrier that is movable translationally and substantially immovable rotationally. In an alternate embodiment, the ball is orientated with a gimbaled mechanism. An object orienter is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for inspecting golf balls is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing at least one sensor capable of obtaining images of the infrared radiation emitted from the ball, obtaining at least one image of the ball using the sensor after paint or a coating has been applied to the surface of the ball, and determining whether the liquid was applied evenly on the surface of the ball. Preferably, the image is obtained during the transient period when the solvent in the paint or coating is evaporating. A number of numerical analysis can be used to determine the evenness of the paint or coating.

Abstract: A method for inspecting golf balls is disclosed. An imager such as a camera captures a spectral image of the golf ball. The spectral image is captured line-by-line as the golf ball rotates. The lines are then packed together to form a three-dimensional spectral image of the golf ball showing full spectral information for every pixel. The resultant three-dimensional spectral image is then analyzed, such as using a pattern matching or threshold analysis tool. If a golf ball passes the inspection, it is permitted to advance in the processing. If the golf ball does not pass the inspection, it may be diverted. This inspection system is capable of detecting very subtle color differences, so the system is particularly applicable for use in inspecting primer coat coverage.

Abstract: An automated object inspection system is presented. The inspection system includes an imaging system to produce at least two images of said object having different optical properties and an analyzer coupled to the imaging system to receive the images and to perform a variety of inspection operations on said images. The imaging system may produce images of the object under inspection in the visible range having varying exposure values. A vision engine included in the analyzer may combine said images through an algorithmic process into one image having high light dynamic range. Alternatively, the imaging system may produce images of the object in the visible or non-visible electromagnetic range. The analyzer may perform inspection routines on said images. An imaging system capable of producing digital video is presented, wherein each frame of video produced by said camera is composed of multiple images having different optical properties.

Abstract: An automated object inspection system is presented. The inspection system includes an imaging system to produce at least two images of said object having different optical properties and an analyzer coupled to the imaging system to receive the images and to perform a variety of inspection operations on said images. The imaging system may produce images of the object under inspection in the visible range having varying exposure values. A vision engine included in the analyzer may combine said images through an algorithmic process into one image having high light dynamic range. Alternatively, the imaging system may produce images of the object in the visible or non-visible electromagnetic range. The analyzer may perform inspection routines on said images. An imaging system capable of producing digital video is presented, wherein each frame of video produced by said camera is composed of multiple images having different optical properties.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of inspecting a curved object comprising the steps of acquiring inspection image data of a curved object using a detector, generating adjusted image data by adjusting the inspection image data, and comparing the adjusted image data with digitally generated image data of a predetermined image. In one embodiment, golf balls are inspected using a line scan camera and a line of coplanar and parallel, diffuse light that uniformly illuminates the camera's scan line. A method of digitally filtering brightness in a digital image is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a golf ball, comprising the steps of providing a golf ball; providing a first light source emitting a first color of light; illuminating a first area of the golf ball with the first light source; providing a second light source emitting a second color of light different from the first color of light; illuminating a second area of the golf ball with a second light; providing a first detector comprising a first filter for transmitting the first color of light and filtering out the second color of light; providing a second detector comprising a second filter for transmitting the second color of light and filtering out the first color of light; rotating the ball about an axis; and detecting a shadow resulting from illumination by the first or second light sources.