GOLF SWING ASSIST APPARATUS AND GOLF SWING ASSIST METHOD

Abstract

The golf swing assist apparatus 1 includes a light emitting part 10, light receiving parts 20, a determination unit 30 and an output unit 40. The light emitting part 10 configured to emit a laser beam BM1 along a boundary plane SP0 that demarcates whether a trajectory 200 of a golf club GC1 is in a set area AR1 or not. The light receiving parts 20 are located at an irradiation position P0 of the laser beam BM1 along the boundary plane SP0 and are configured to detect whether the laser beam BM1 toward the irradiation position P0 is being blocked or not. The determination unit 30 is configured to determine a swing state of a player PL1 on a basis of a detection result by the light receiving parts 20. The output unit 40 is configured to output a determination result of the swing state.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to the Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-049211, filed Mar. 27, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

PRIOR ART

As ways for correcting the player's forms in making golf swings, there are the ways of using a camera and looking in a mirror. Capturing the forms in making the golf swings with a video camera requires a lot of effort because it is necessary to set up a video to rewind and watch it every time. Using the camera and an analyzer requires taking time for processes for analyzing the captured images and evaluating the forms after capturing the forms in making the golf swings with the camera. Since it takes time to confirm the result of the evaluation from the swing, the player cannot realize a gap between a movements of his or her body and an impression in his or her brain in real time. When there is the mirror in front of an address position of the player, the player can look at the form while making a practice swing. The practice swing while looking at the mirror, however, is different from a swing done in hitting a golf ball actually. Looking at the mirror causes a movement of the player's head, the movement affects the swing, the player's form gets worsen and the player cannot make an ideal swing.

A golf swing evaluation apparatus disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-103925 includes a front limit projection unit, a rear limit projection unit, a light receiving unit that detects rays reflected from reflective surfaces on user's hand and a club used by the user, and an evaluation means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Unfortunately, it takes a lot of effort to attach a reflection member to the hand or the club. Besides, the player feels uncomfortable by the reflection member attached on the hand and the club, and will have difficulty in making an accurate swing correction. Furthermore, the reflective surfaces that move in swinging reflect the rays from the projection units in various directions. Since this results in low detection precision of the reflected rays, the evaluation means cannot evaluate user's swing state precisely.

One aspect of the present invention provides a golf swing assist apparatus, including:

• • a light emitting part configured to emit a laser beam along a boundary plane that demarcates whether a trajectory of a golf club is in a set area or not; light receiving parts located at an irradiation position of the laser beam along the boundary plane;
  • the light receiving parts configured to detect whether the laser beam toward the irradiation position is being blocked or not;
  • a determination unit configured to determine a swing state of a player on a basis of a detection result by the light receiving parts; and
  • an output unit configured to output a determination result of the swing state.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a golf swing assist method, including:

• • an emission step of a light emitting part emitting a laser beam along a boundary plane that demarcates whether a trajectory of a golf club is in a set area or not;
  • a detection step of light receiving parts detecting whether the laser beam toward an irradiation position is being blocked or not, the light receiving parts being located at the irradiation position of the laser beam along the boundary plane;
  • a determination step of determining a swing state of a player on a basis of a detection result by the light receiving parts; and
  • an output step of outputting a determination result of the swing state.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of preferred non-limiting exemplary embodiments together with the drawings and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing an example of a golf swing assist apparatus together with swing planes.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing an example of the golf swing assist apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a schematic front elevation showing an example of the golf swing assist apparatus.

FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram showing an example of light emitting parts configured to emit laser beams having point-shaped irradiation ranges toward respective light receiving parts.

FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram showing an example of a light emitting part configured to emit a laser beam having a linear irradiation range through light receiving parts.

FIG. 5 is a schematic oblique perspective view showing an example of a golf club passing detection unit.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an irradiation device.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an irradiation device including a rotary slit member.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an irradiation device including stream irradiation parts.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an irradiation device including a direct-acting shielding member.

FIG. 10 is schematic block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of a golf swing assist apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a schematic flowchart showing an example of a swing plane setting process.

FIG. 12 is a schematic flowchart showing an example of a swing state determination output process.

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration example of a processing table.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an inside-out state and an outside-in state.

FIG. 15 is a schematic flowchart showing an example of a swing rhythm transmission process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Of course, the following embodiments are examples merely illustrative of the present invention, and all features shown in the embodiments may not be necessarily essential to the solution.

(1) Outline of Technology Included in the Present Invention

First, an outline of the technology included in present invention is given referring to examples shown in FIGS. 1-15. The figures in the present application are schematic examples, magnification ratio in each direction shown in these figures may differ, and the figures may not be consistent. Of course, each element of the present technology is not limited to specific examples indicated by reference letters.

As exemplified in FIGS. 2, 10, etc., one embodiment of the present technology provides a golf swing assist apparatus 1 including a light emitting part 10, light receiving parts 20, a determination unit 30 and an output unit 40. The light emitting part 10 configured to emit a laser beam BM1 along a boundary plane SP0 that demarcates whether a trajectory 200 (See FIG. 14) of a golf club GC1 is in a set area AR1 or not. The light receiving parts 20 are located at an irradiation position P0 of the laser beam BM1 along the boundary plane SP0 and are configured to detect whether the laser beam BM1 toward the irradiation position P0 is being blocked or not. The determination unit 30 is configured to determine a swing state of a player PL1 on a basis of a detection result by the light receiving parts 20. The output unit 40 is configured to output a determination result of the swing state.

Since each person has a different skeletal structure and muscle, it is said that there are more than hundred million kinds of correct swings by combining timings of different joint movement in each person. Although it is said that there are five types of recommended major swings, what is necessary is swinging along a correct swing plane, namely a correct trajectory of a shaft. If the player uses a device correcting the swing physically, the player concentrates on following the swing on a fixed trajectory, and the player will have difficulty in swinging with his or her whole body muscle like the player makes a hand swing. This makes the player have difficulty in achieving the swing suited to the skeletal structure and the muscle of each person.

Since the light receiving parts are located at the irradiation position P0 of the laser beam BM1 along the boundary plane SP0, the above-mentioned embodiment enables the player PL1 to get the determination result of the swing state with reference to the boundary plane SP0. This enables the player PL1 to memorize the swing along the correct shaft trajectory to the muscle. Herein, each of the light receiving parts 20 does not detect a reflected light, but detects the highly directional laser beam BM1 that is emitted toward the light receiving part 20 along the boundary plane SP0 from the light emitting part 10. Each of the light receiving parts 20 can thereby detect whether the laser beam BM1 emitted toward the light receiving part 20 itself is being blocked or not. Based on the highly precise detection result by the light receiving parts 20, the determination unit 30 can determine the swing state of the player PL1 quickly and precisely. The output unit 40 can output the determination result of the swing state in real time. Since the highly precise determination result of the swing state is output, the above-mentioned embodiment can provide the golf swing assist apparatus that is capable of determining the swing state of the player more precisely.

Herein, the laser beam BM1 may be a visible laser beam, an infrared laser beam, or the like.

Since the player swings the golf club, the present technology also implies that the golf swing assist apparatus detects whether part of the body of the player PL1 crosses the boundary plane SP0 or not. In other words, it is not limited that the golf club GC1 blocks the laser beam BM1 toward the irradiation position P0 from the light emitting part 10, and part of the body of the player PL1 may block the laser beam BM1 toward the irradiation position P0 from the light emitting part 10.

Since each person has the different skeletal structure and muscle as mentioned above, there should be a suitable swing for each person. For this reason, the golf swing assist apparatus 1 may further include a tilt adjustment mechanism 50 that can adjust an angle of the boundary plane SP0 to a floor surface FL1. The golf swing assist apparatus 1 may further include a height adjustment mechanism 60 that can adjust a height of the light emitting part 10 on the boundary plane SP0. The golf swing assist apparatus 1 may further include a golf club passing detection unit 70 configured to detect a movement of the golf club GC1. The golf club passing detection unit 70 may include sensors 71-73 (See FIGS. 3 and 5) that detect passing of the golf club GC1 at respective positions where the golf club GC1 passes in swinging. The golf swing assist apparatus 1 may further include an irradiation device 80 (See FIGS. 6-9) configured to irradiate a floor surface FL1 with a visible laser beam BM2 that streams in a hitting direction D1 along a swing line LN2 through a predetermined golf ball position PB1 in the set area AR1.

There may be one light emitting part 10 configured to emit the laser beam BM1 toward the light receiving parts 20 as exemplified in FIG. 2 etc., and there may be a plurality of the light emitting parts 10 configured to emit the laser beams BM1 toward the light receiving parts 20 as exemplified in FIG. 3 etc. For example, the light emitting part 10 is configured to emit the laser beam BM1 having a linear irradiation range through the light receiving parts 20 as exemplified in FIG. 4B etc. In this case, it is possible to reduce a component of the golf swing assist apparatus 1, and it is possible to reduce processes to adjust an emission direction of the light emitting part 10 and positions of the light receiving parts 20. In addition, the golf swing assist apparatus 1 may include the light emitting parts 10 configured to emit laser beams BM1 toward respective light receiving parts 20 as exemplified in FIG. 4A etc.

There may be one boundary plane SP0, and there may be a plurality of the boundary planes SP0. For example, the boundary planes SP0 may include a front boundary plane (e.g. a swing plane SP5) on a front side of the set area AR1 and a rear boundary plane (e.g. a swing plane SP4) on a rear side of the set area AR1. In this case, the determination unit 30 can determine the swing state more precisely because it is possible to use the determination results by the light receiving parts 20 located on respective boundary planes (SP5 and SP4) for determining the swing state. The player PL1 can get the determination result on the swing state with reference to both boundary planes (SP5 and SP4).

The light receiving parts 20 are located along a floor surface FL1 in the boundary plane SP0. Being located along the floor surface means being located on or above the floor surface. The light emitting part 10 is located at a higher position than the light receiving parts 20. It is assumed that a launching area SD1 is an area where a golf ball GB1 is flown toward from a predetermined golf ball position PB1 in the set area AR1 and a start area SD2 is opposite to the launching area SD1 in a horizontal direction D2 along the boundary plane SP0 as exemplified in FIG. 3. The light emitting part 10 may be located in the start area SD2. The light receiving parts 20 may be located in the launching area SD1.

In the case mentioned above, the laser beam BM1 does not interfere with the player PL1.

The determination unit 30 may be configured to determine, as the swing state, whether the trajectory 200 crossed the boundary plane SP0 on a way of the trajectory 200 on the basis of the detection result by the light receiving parts 20. In this case, the player PL1 can easily correct the swing because the player PL1 can know whether the trajectory 200 crossed boundary plane SP0 on the way or not. For example, the determination unit 30 may be configured to determine which of states the swing state includes on the basis of the detection result by the light receiving parts 20, the states including a first change state 210 where the trajectory 200 changes from the set area AR1 to a non-set area AR2 by crossing the boundary plane SP0 on the way and a second change state 220 where the trajectory 200 changes from the non-set area AR2 to the set area AR1 by crossing the boundary plane SP0 on the way, as exemplified in FIGS. 12-14. In this case, the player PL1 can correct the swing more easily because the player PL1 can know an inside-out state or an outside-in state. In the present application, the terms “first”, “second”, . . . are used to identify each component in the plurality of components having similarities, and do not mean order.

Herein, there may be a plurality of the first change state 210 including an inside-out state 211 where the trajectory 200 changes from the set area AR1 to the non-set area AR2 by crossing the front boundary plane (SP5) on the way and an outside-in state 212 where the trajectory 200 changes from the set area AR1 to the non-set area AR2 by crossing the rear boundary plane (SP4) on the way. There may be a plurality of the second change state 220 including an outside-in state 221 where the trajectory 200 changes from the non-set area AR2 to the set area AR1 by crossing the front boundary plane (SP5) on the way and an inside-out state 222 where the trajectory 200 changes from the non-set area AR2 to the set area AR1 by crossing the rear boundary plane (SP4) on the way.

By the way, what is important about the golf swing is to keep a rhythm and a tempo. For assisting in this, the determination unit 30 may be configured to determine a swing start on a basis of a detection result by the golf club passing detection unit 70. The determination unit 30 may be configured to cause the irradiation device 80 to irradiate the floor surface with the visible laser beam BM2 that streams in the hitting direction D1 so that the irradiation device 80 can irradiate the golf ball position PB1 with the visible laser beam BM2 at an elapse of a set timing T1 from the swing start, as exemplified in FIGS. 6, 15, etc. Since the player PL1 can look at a stream SR1 of the visible laser beam BM2 in hitting direction D1, the player PL1 can learn a swing timing and further improve his or her ability to swing. In addition, the irradiation device 80 may be configured to irradiate the floor surface FL1 with a second visible laser beam BM3 so that a linear reference line LN3 crossing the swing line LN2 through the golf ball position PB1 can appear. In this case, it is easy to look at an impact target.

The output of the determination result may be audio output, light emission, display, vibration, or the like. For example, the output unit 40 may include an aerial display 45 that causes an aerial display screen 45c to appear ahead of the set area AR1 with reference to an address position (e.g. address line LN1) of the player PL1 as exemplified in FIG. 1 etc., and the output unit 40 may be configured to cause the aerial display 45 to display the determination result. In this case, the display unit of the determination result does not interfere with the swing.

As exemplified in FIGS. 10, 12, etc., another embodiment of the present technology provides a golf swing assist method including the following steps.

• • (A1) an emission step ST1 of a light emitting part 10 emitting a laser beam BM1 along a boundary plane SP0 that demarcates whether a trajectory 200 of a golf club GC1 is in a set area AR1 or not.
  • (A2) a detection step ST2 of light receiving parts 20 detecting whether the laser beam BM1 toward an irradiation position P0 is being blocked or not, the light receiving parts 20 being located at the irradiation position P0 of the laser beam BM1 along the boundary plane SP0.
  • (A3) a determination step ST3 of determining a swing state of a player PL1 on a basis of a detection result by the light receiving parts 20.
  • (A4) an output step ST4 of outputting a determination result of the swing state.
    The above-mentioned embodiment can provide the golf swing assist method that brings about more precise determination of the swing state of the player PL1.

Some other embodiments of the present technology are applicable to a system that includes the above-mentioned golf swing assist apparatus, a control method of the system, a control program of the above-mentioned golf swing assist apparatus, a control program of the above-mentioned system, a non-transitory computer-readable medium that records any of the above-mentioned control programs, etc. The above-mentioned golf swing assist apparatus is constituted by components disposed separately from one another.

(2) Definitions of Swing Planes

FIG. 1 is a side view schematically exemplifying a golf swing assist apparatus 1 together with swing planes SP1-SP5. For convenience in showing positional relationships, FIGS. 1-9, etc. show an X-direction, a Y-direction and a Z-direction. The X-direction is a forward direction as seen by a player PL1 with toes of the player's feet PL5 aligned with an address line LN1 in parallel with a swing line LN2, and a horizontal direction along a floor surface FL1. The Y-direction show in FIG. 3 etc. is a hitting direction D1 along the swing line LN2, and a horizontal direction that is perpendicular to the X-direction. The Z-direction is an upward direction, and a vertical direction that is perpendicular to the X-direction and the Y-direction.

When the player PL1 swings a wood or an iron as a golf club GC1, the player's movement generally includes takeback, top, downswing, lag, impact, follow-through, and finish in this order. The swing planes SP1-SP5 are represented by lines when the player PL1 located at an address position (address line LN1) at takeback is viewed from the side. The player PL1 holding a shaft GC2 of the golf club GC1 in his or her hand PL4 puts a head GC3 of the golf club GC1 near a position (golf ball position PB1) of golf ball GB1 at takeback.

The swing plane SP1 is represented by a line that connects the golf ball position PB1 to a neck PL2 or a center between both shoulders of the player PL1. The swing plane SP1 in the present specific example means an ideal front limit surface about a trajectory 200 (See FIG. 14) of the hand PL4 (part of a body) of the player PL1 and the golf club GC1 when the player PL1 swings the golf club GC1. The swing plane SP2 is represented by a line that connects the golf ball position PB1 to an elbow PL3 of the player PL1. The swing plane SP3 is represented by a line on the shaft GC2 of the golf club GC1. The swing plane SP3 in the present specific example means an ideal rear limit surface about the trajectory 200 of the hand PL4 and the golf club GC1 when the player PL1 swings the golf club GC1. Since it can be said that the swing planes SP1 and SP3 are in an allowed area of the swing, the swing plane SP4 is defined behind the swing plane SP3, and the swing plane SP5 is defined ahead of the swing plane SP1. The swing plane SP4 is represented by a line shifted a parallel distance x1 backward from the swing plane SP3. The swing plane SP5 is represented by a line that connects a position shifted a distance x2 forward from the golf ball position PB1 to the neck PL2 or the center between both shoulders of the player PL1. The swing plane SP5 may be represented by a line shifted a parallel distance x2 forward from the swing plane SP1. The distances x1 and x2 may be adjustable. The set area AR1 about the trajectory 200 is between the swing plane SP4 and the swing plane SP5. The non-set area AR2 is the area excluding the set area AR1, and is from the swing plane SP4 to the rear and from the swing plane SP5 to the front. The swing planes SP4 and SP5 are examples of the boundary plane SP0, the swing plane SP4 is an example of the front boundary plane, and the swing plane SP5 is an example of the rear boundary plane.

(3) Specific Examples of the Golf Swing Assist Apparatus

FIGS. 2 and 3 schematically exemplify the golf swing assist apparatus 1. The lower part of FIG. 3 shows a top plan of the light receiving parts 20 from above.

The golf swing assist apparatus 1 includes the light emitting part 10, the light receiving parts 20, a control device 100 (an example of the determination unit 30), the output unit 40, the tilt adjustment mechanism 50, the height adjustment mechanism 60, the golf club passing detection unit 70, the irradiation device 80, digital cameras CM1 and CM2 capable of capturing videos, etc. The height of the camera CM1 is, for example, adjusted to a position of the grip (hand PL4) of the player PL1 at takeback.

An anterior light emitting part 11 and a posterior light emitting part 12 are generically named as the light emitting part 10. The light emitting part 11 is configured to emit the laser beam BM1 along the swing plane SP5 that demarcates whether the trajectory 200 of the hand PL4 and the golf club GC1 is in the set area AR1 or not. The light emitting part 12 is configured to emit the laser beam BM1 along the swing plane SP4 that demarcates whether the trajectory 200 of the hand PL4 and the golf club GC1 is in the set area AR1 or not. Generally, the laser beam is coherent light whose phase is aligned, and is highly directional. There may be one light emitting part 11 and one light emitting part 12 as shown in FIG. 2, and there may be a plurality of the light emitting parts 11 and a plurality of the light emitting parts 12 as shown in FIG. 3. In the following description, both light emitting parts 11 and 12 will be referred to simply as “light emitting part 10” when describing them.

Anterior light receiving parts 21 and posterior light receiving parts 22 are generically named as the light receiving parts 20. Each of the light receiving parts 21 is located at the irradiation position P0 of the laser beam BM1 along the swing plane SP5, and is configured to detect whether the laser beam BM1 toward the irradiation position P0 is being blocked or not. Each of the light receiving parts 22 is located at the irradiation position P0 of the laser beam BM1 along the swing plane SP4, and is configured to detect whether the laser beam BM1 toward the irradiation position P0 is being blocked or not. The lower part of FIG. 3 indicates that the light receiving parts 21 includes light receiving parts 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d and 21e in order of the hitting direction D1, and indicates that the light receiving parts 22 includes light receiving parts 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d and 22e in order of the hitting direction D1. In the following description, both light receiving parts 21 and 22 will be referred to simply as “light receiving part 20” when describing them. The number of the light receiving parts 20 arranged along each boundary plane SP0 may be two, it is preferable that the number is greater than or equal to three for determining the swing state detailedly, and, not shown in the figure, the number may be greater than or equal to six. As the number of light receiving parts 20 increases, it is possible to get a detection precision that is closer to a surface than to a line. The light emitting part 10 and the light receiving parts 20 combined in each boundary plane SP0 constitutes a curtain-shaped laser sensor for managing the correct swing planes SP5 and SP4. The determination unit 30 can determine the swing state of the player PL1 according to the correct swing planes SP5 and SP4 by the curtain-shaped laser sensor.

The light receiving parts 20 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are located along the floor surface FL1 in the boundary plane SP0. The light emitting part 10 is located at the higher position than the light receiving parts 20. Herein, it is assumed that the launching area SD1 is the area where the golf ball GB1 is flown toward from the golf ball position PB1 in the set area AR1 and the start area SD2 is opposite to the launching area SD1 in the horizontal direction D2 along the boundary plane SP0. The horizontal direction D2 along the boundary plane SP0 does not mean a direction that intersects the boundary plane SP0, and means a direction in which the light receiving parts 20 are aligned if the height of the light receiving parts 20 is the same. When the player PL1 at the address position is viewed from the front as shown in FIG. 3, the launching area SD1 means an area toward the hitting direction D1 from a vertical line VL1 through the golf ball position PB1. The start area SD2 means an area toward a direction opposite to the hitting direction D1 from the vertical line VL1. The light emitting parts 10 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are located in the start area SD2. The light receiving parts 20 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are located in the launching area SD1. Thus, the laser beam BM1 does not interfere with the player PL1.

Unless the laser beam BM1 interferes with the player PL1, the light emitting part 10 may be located in the launching area SD1 or on the floor surface FL1, and the light receiving parts 20 may be located in the start area SD2 or at a higher position than the light emitting part 10.

FIG. 4A schematically exemplifies the light emitting parts 10 configured to emit the laser beams BM1 having point-shaped irradiation ranges toward respective light receiving parts 20. In FIGS. 4A and 4B, plan views of the irradiation ranges from above is shown within the double-dotted enclosures. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 4A, the golf swing assist apparatus 1 includes the light emitting parts 10 configured to emit the laser beams BM1 toward respective light receiving parts 20. Each of the light emitting parts 10 emit the narrow laser beam BM1 toward the light receiving part 20. The irradiation position P0 of each of the light emitting parts 10 is along the boundary plane SP0.

FIG. 4B schematically exemplifies the light emitting part 10 configured to emit the laser beam BM1 having a linear irradiation range through the light receiving parts 20. The linear irradiation position P0 of the light emitting part 10 is along the boundary plane SP0. In the case that one light emitting part 10 emits the laser beam BM1 having the linear irradiation range toward the plurality of the light receiving parts 20, it is possible to reduce the component of the golf swing assist apparatus 1, and it is possible to reduce processes to adjust the emission direction of the light emitting part 10 and positions of the light receiving parts 20.

For example, it is assumed that a slit diameter of each of the light receiving parts 20 is 0.5 mm, a diameter of the shaft GC2 is 8 mm, and a maximum speed of the shaft GC2 in swinging is 55 m/s. In this case, the time when the moving shaft GC2 blocks up the slit of the light receiving part 20 is {7.5×10⁻³ (m)}/{55×10⁻³ (m/ms)=0.14 ms. In the case that the smallest pulse detection width of an I/O port (input-output port) of a microcomputer is 10 ns=0.01 ms, the light receiving part 20 can detect interruption of the laser beam BM1 enough.

The control device 100 is configured to determine the swing state of the player PL1 on the basis of the detection result of the light receiving parts 20. Details of the control device 100 are described later.

The output unit 40 is configured to output the determination result of the swing state. The output unit 40 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes the aerial display 45 that causes an aerial display screen 45c to appear, a sound output device 46 that outputs a sound, and a light emitting device 47 that emits a light. It should be noted that the output unit 40 may be without part of these elements (45-47). Examples of the sound output device 46 include a variety of speakers. Examples of the light emitting device 47 include a light emitting diode and the like.

The aerial display 45 shown in FIG. 1 includes a liquid crystal display 45a that displays an original image, an aerial display plate 45b that forms the aerial display screen 45c after reflecting an incident light from the liquid crystal display 45a, etc. The aerial display 45 causes the aerial display screen 45c to appear ahead of the set area AR1 with reference to the address position of the player PL1. An original image is reproduced on the aerial display screen 45c. In the case that the original image is a video, the video is reproduced on the aerial display screen 45c. Of course, examples of the aerial display 45 include various devices that form the aerial display screens 45c. The liquid crystal display 45a may be buried in the floor as shown in FIG. 1, and may be located ahead of the aerial display screen 45c with reference to the address position of the player PL1. The output unit 40 is configured to cause the aerial display 45 to display the determination result of the swing state. The output unit 40 may be configured to cause the sound output device 46 to output a sound in response to the determination result of the swing state, and may be configured to cause the light emitting device 47 to emit a light in response to the determination result of the swing state.

In the case that the camera CM2 in front of the player PL1 captures a video or an image of the player PL1 in swinging, the aerial display 45 may display the frontal view video or image played back by the camera CM2. In the case that the camera CM1 in the start area SD2 from the player PL1 captures a video or an image of the player PL1 in swinging, the aerial display 45 may display the lateral view video or image played back by the camera CM1. In such case, the control device 100 may cause the aerial display 45 to display the lateral view video or image on which the swing plane SP1, SP2 and SP3 are superimposed. If the aerial display screen 45c has an aerial switch for changing between a frontal view and a lateral view, the player PL1 at the address position can change between the frontal view and the lateral view with the head GC3 of the golf club GC1.

Since the aerial display screen 45c is near the player PL1 at the address position, the player PL1 can quickly confirm the determination result of the swinging state, his or her own swing posture, etc. on the spot where the player PL1 has swung. The display device does not interfere with the player's swing because it is the aerial display screen 45c that displays various information.

As shown in FIG. 2, the golf swing assist apparatus 1 includes one tilt adjustment mechanism 50 that can adjust an angle of the swing plane SP5 to the floor surface FL1, and another tilt adjustment mechanism 50 that can adjust an angle of the swing plane SP4 to the floor surface FL1. Each of the tilt adjustment mechanisms 50 includes a long pole 51 that protrudes upward from a base BS1 on the floor, a rotary connection 52 that rotatably connects the lower end of the pole 51 to the base BS1, an actuator 53 that changes the angle of the pole 51 to the floor surface FL1, a rotary connection 54 that rotatably connects the lower end of the actuator 53 to the base BS1, and a rotary connection 55 that rotatably connects the upper end of the actuator 53 to the pole 51. The angle of the boundary plane SP0 is set by the angle of the pole 51. An actuator 53a for adjusting the angle of the anterior swing plane SP5 and an actuator 53b for adjusting the angle of the posterior swing plane SP4 are generically named as the actuator 53. The actuator 53 may change its length according to an instruction from the control device 100, and may be manually changed in length. The actuator 53 shown in FIG. 2 is a direct-acting cylinder that change its length according to the instruction from the control device 100. The rotary connection 52 tiltably connects the pole 51 to the base BS1 around a rotation axis along the Y direction. The rotary connection 54 tiltably connects the actuator 53 to the base BS1 around a rotation axis along the Y direction. The rotary connection 55 connects the pole 51 with to the actuator 53 around a rotation axis along the Y direction.

Accordingly, the tilt adjustment mechanism 50 adjusts the angle of the boundary plane SP0 to the floor surface FL1 according to the instruction from the control device 100.

The golf swing assist apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2 includes one height adjustment mechanism 60 that can adjust a height of the light emitting part 10 on the anterior swing plane SP5, and another height adjustment mechanism 60 that can adjust a height of the light emitting part 10 on the posterior swing plane SP4. Each of the height adjustment mechanisms 60 include a sliding member 61 that can slide along the long pole 51. The light emitting parts 10 configured to emit the laser beam BM1 along the boundary plane SP0 is incorporated in each of the sliding members 61. The sliding member 61 may change its position according to an instruction from the control device 100, and may be manually changed in position. FIG. 10 exemplifies the actuators 62a and 62b that change the positions of the sliding members 61 according to the instruction from the control device 100. The actuator 62a changes the height of the sliding member 61 along the anterior swing plane SP5. The actuator 62b changes the height of the sliding member 61 along the posterior swing plane SP4.

Accordingly, the height adjustment mechanism 60 adjusts the height of the light emitting part 10 on the boundary plane SP0 according to the instruction from the control device 100. Even though each person has a different skeletal range of motion, muscle mass, muscle development, etc., the golf swing assist apparatus 1 can fit the swing planes to each person by the tilt adjustment mechanism 50 and the height adjustment mechanism 60. In other words, the golf swing assist apparatus 1 does not correct the form of the player PL1, but assists the player PL1 to correct his or her swing so that the trajectory 200 of the hand PL4 of the player PL1 and the golf club GC1 will be between the swing plane SP5 and SP4 in accordance with his or her skeletal and muscular structure.

The golf swing assist apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 includes the golf club passing detection unit 70 configured to detect the movement of the golf club GC1 so as to enable the determination of the swing start, the follow-through, etc. The golf club passing detection unit 70 includes sensors 71-73 that detect the passing of the golf club GC1 at respective positions where the golf club GC1 passes in swinging.

The sensor 71 is located in the start area SD2 from the player PL1 at the address position. The sensor 72 is located in the launching area SD1 from the player PL1 at the address position. The sensors 71 and 72, for example, are adjusted to the position of the grip (hand PL4) of the player PL1 at takeback. The sensor 73 is located above the player PL1 at the address position.

FIG. 5 schematically exemplifies the golf club passing detection unit 70. The sensors 71, 72 and 73 include light emitting parts 71a, 72a and 73a, respectively, and include light receiving part 71b, 72b and 73b, respectively. The light emitting parts 71a, 72a and 73a are incorporated in vertically movable sliding members 71c, 72c and 73c, respectively, and emit the laser beams BM4 toward the light receiving parts 71b, 72b and 73b, respectively. The light receiving parts 71b, 72b and 73b are incorporated in vertically movable sliding members 71d, 72d and 73d. When the golf club GC1 passes between the light emitting part 71a and the light receiving part 71b, the light receiving part 71b detects interruption of the laser beam BM4. When the golf club GC1 passes between the light emitting part 72a and the light receiving part 72b, the light receiving part 72b detects interruption of the laser beam BM4. When the golf club GC1 passes between the light emitting part 73a and the light receiving part 73b, the light receiving part 73b detects interruption of the laser beam BM4. The sliding members 71c, 71d, 72c, 72d, 73c and 73d may change their positions according to an instruction from the control device 100, and may be manually changed in position. FIG. 10 exemplifies actuators 71e, 71f, 72e, 72f, 73e and 73f that change the positions of the sliding members 71c, 71d, 72c, 72d, 73c and 73d according to the instruction from the control device 100, respectively. Emission range of the laser beam BM4 may be point-like or linear along the Z-direction. In the case that the light emitting parts 71a, 72a and 73a emit the laser beams BM4 having linear irradiation ranges along the Z-direction, it is easy to align heights between the light emitting parts 71a, 72a and 73a and the light receiving parts 71b, 72b and 73b.

What is important about the golf swing is to keep the rhythm and the tempo. For this reason, the golf swing assist apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2 includes the irradiation device 80 that enables the stream SR1 of the visible laser beam BM2 as exemplified in FIG. 6. The irradiation device 80 shown in FIG. 6 includes an irradiation part 82 and a reference irradiation part 81. The stream irradiation part 82 can irradiate a floor surface FL1 with the visible laser beam BM2 that streams in the hitting direction D1 along the swing line LN2 through the golf ball position PB1 as shown in the lower part of FIG. 6. The reference irradiation part 81 irradiates the floor surface FL1 with the second visible laser beam BM3 having a linear irradiation range crossing the swing line LN2 through the golf ball position PB1 can appear. This causes the reference line LN3 through the golf ball position PB1 to appear on the floor surface FL1, and makes it easy to identify the impact target. The direction of the reference line LN3 may deviate from the direction perpendicular to the swing line LN2, and it is preferable that the direction of the reference line LN3 is perpendicular to the swing line LN2 for ease of the visibility.

The stream irradiation part 82 shown in FIG. 6 includes a linear irradiation part 83 and a stream generation part 84. The linear irradiation part 83 irradiates the floor surface FL1 with the visible laser beam BM2 having the linear irradiation range through the golf ball position PB1 along the swing line LN2. The stream generation part 84 allows the visible laser beam BM2 from the linear irradiation part 83 to pass through so that the stream SR1 of the visible laser beam BM2 in hitting direction D1 can appear on the floor surface FL1. The stream SR1 of the visible laser beam BM2 shown in FIG. 6 is expressed so that the line of the irradiated light will extend in order of an initial timing t1, an impact timing t2, a subsequent timing t3, and a final timing t4. The player PL1 should just swing by aiming to hit the golf ball GB1 with the head GC3 at the moment of the impact timing t2.

The irradiation device 80 may include a rotary slit member 85 and a motor 86 as exemplified in FIG. 7, the stream irradiation parts 82 as exemplified in FIG. 8, or a direct-acting shielding member 89 as exemplified in FIG. 9.

The stream generation part 84 shown in FIG. 7 includes the slit member 85 and the motor 86. The slit member 85 includes four blades, and is capable of rotating around a rotatable shaft 85a. The motor 86 causes the slit member 85 to rotate around the rotatable shaft 85a according to the instruction from the control device 100. Examples of the motor 86 include a small step motor. As shown in the lower part of FIG. 7, the rotation of the slit member 85 varies the portion blocked by the blades of the slit member 85 in the visible laser beam BM2 from the stream irradiation part 82. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the stream SR1 appears for the line of the visible laser beam BM2 to extend every ¼ rotation of the slit member 85. The number of the blades of the slit member 85 is not limited to four, and it is preferable that the number of the blades is an even number for reducing wobbling during the rotation. It is also possible to extend the stream SR1 of the visible laser beam BM2 step-by-step like a stair by changing the shape of the blades.

The stream generation part 84 shown in FIG. 8 includes a member having slits 87 along the Y-direction and the stream irradiation parts 82. The stream irradiation parts 82 are allocated to the slits 87 one-by-one. It is assumed that the stream irradiation parts 82 includes a stream irradiation part 82a, a stream irradiation part 82b, a stream irradiation part 82c and a stream irradiation part 82d in order of the Y-direction. According to the instruction from the control device 100 from a state where all of the stream irradiation parts 82 are off, the stream irradiation part 82a turns on at the initial timing t1, the stream irradiation part 82b turns on at the impact timing t2, the stream irradiation part 82c turns on at the next timing t3, and the stream irradiation part 82d turns on at the final timing t4. This causes the stream SR1 to appear for the line of the visible laser beam BM2 to extend step by step. Subsequently, all of the stream irradiation parts 82 turn off. The width of the irradiated light is adjustable by changing the distance between the slit 87 and the stream irradiation part 82.

The stream generation part 84 shown in FIG. 9 includes a member having a slit 88 along the Y-direction, the direct-acting shielding member 89, and a solenoid 90. The shielding member 89 is capable of a bidirectional movement along the Y-direction. The solenoid 90 moves the shielding member 89 in both directions along the Y-direction according to the instruction from the control device 100. This varies the portion blocked by the shielding member 89 in the visible laser beam BM2 from the stream irradiation part 82, and causes the stream SR1 to appear for the line of the visible laser beam BM2 to extend.

Furthermore, the stream SR1 of the visible laser beam BM2 may be a movement of an irradiated point-like light. In this case, the stream irradiation part 82 should just irradiate the surface FL1 with the visible laser beam BM2 having a point-like irradiation range that moves along the swing line LN2 through the golf ball position PB1.

FIG. 10 schematically exemplifies a configuration of the control system of the golf swing assist apparatus 1 configured to control each of the above-mentioned parts. The golf swing assist apparatus 1 includes the control device 100 configured to control each part. The control device 100 may be a personal computer, a dedicated device including an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or the like. In the golf swing assist apparatus 1, the light emitting part 10 that emits the laser beam BM1 toward the light receiving parts 20 carries out the emission step ST1. The light receiving parts 20 and the control device 100 carry out the detection step ST2. The control device 100 carries out the determination step ST3. The output unit 40 and the control device 100 carry out the output step ST4.

The control device 100, for example, includes a clock part 110, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111 that is a processor, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 112 that is a semiconductor memory, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 113 that is a semiconductor memory, a storage 114, an input part 115, a display part 116, an I/F (interface) 117, etc. The above-mentioned components (110-117) are electrically interconnected, and each of the components can input information from or output information to the other components. The clock part 110 measures a current time. The ROM 112 holds a boot program etc. The storage 114 stores a determination program etc., the determination program causing the control device 100 to function as the determination unit 30. After executing the boot program, the CPU 111 performs processes exemplified in FIGS. 11, 12 and 15 by reading the information stored in the storage 114 into the RAM 113 appropriately and executing the determination program. The determination program realizes a determination function corresponding to the determination unit 30 in the control device 100. The determination program may be stored in the storage 114 from a computer-readable recording medium on which the determination program is recorded. The storage 114 may be a nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, a magnetic storage device, or the like. Examples of the input part 115 include a touch panel on the display part 116, a hard key, and a pointing device. Examples of the display part 116 include a liquid crystal display panel. The I/F 117 acquires information from the light receiving parts 20, the sensors 71-73 of the golf club passing detection unit 70, and the cameras CM1 and CM2. The control device 100 gives instructions to the output unit 40, the actuators 71e, 71f, 72e, 72f, 73e and 73f of the golf club passing detection unit 70, the tilt adjustment mechanism 50, the height adjustment mechanism 60 and the irradiation device 80 via the I/F 117.

In addition, the golf swing assist apparatus 1 may include a player detection unit 90 configured to detect whether the player PL1 is present at the address position of the player PL1 or not. In this case, the I/F 117 obtains detection information indicating whether the player PL1 is present at the address position from the player detection unit 90. The control device 100 including the I/F 117 is an example of an emission control unit of the light emitting part 10. Examples of the player detection unit 90 include a human sensor such as an ultrasonic sensor and an infrared sensor, a ToF (Time of Flight) distance sensor, a camera, etc. For example, when the human sensor faces the address position, it is possible to detect whether the player PL1 is present at the address position or not. When the control device 100 receives the detection information indicating that the player PL1 is present at the address position from the player detection unit 90, the control device 100 causes the light emitting part 10 to emit the laser beam BM1 through the I/F 117. On the other hand, when the control device 100 receives the detection information indicating that the player PL1 is not present at the address position from the player detection unit 90, the control device 100 causes the light emitting part 10 to stop emitting the laser beam BM1 through the I/F 117. That is to say, when the player detection unit 90 detects that the player PL1 is present at the address position, the emission control unit causes the light emitting part 10 to emit the laser beam BM1, and when the player detection unit 90 detects that the player PL1 is not present at the address position, the emission control unit causes the light emitting part 10 to stop emitting the laser beam BM1. As a result, when the player PL1 is not present at the address position, even if the power of the golf swing assist apparatus 1 is on, unnecessary laser beam BM1 is not emitted from the light emitting part 10.

FIG. 11 schematically exemplifies the swing plane setting process that the control device 100 performs.

When the control device 100 receives an operation to cause the swing plane setting process to start from the player PL1, the control device 100 causes the camera CM1 located laterally to the player PL1 at the address position to capture an image of the player PL1, and acquires the digital captured image from the camera CM1 (step S102). The “steps” are omitted hereafter. Next, the control device 100 performs an image recognition process for recognizing the player PL1, the golf club GC1, etc. from the captured image, and extracts the golf ball position PB1, a position of the neck PL2, a position of the elbow PL3 and the line on the shaft GC2 from the captured image (S104). Next, the control device 100 sets, into the RAM 113, information that represents the swing plane SP1 connecting the golf ball position PB1 to the neck PL2, the wing plane SP2 connecting the golf ball position PB1 to the elbow PL3, and the swing plane SP3 on the shaft GC2 (S106). Next, the control device 100 sets, into the RAM 113, information that represents the swing plane SP4 shifted the parallel distance x1 backward from the swing plane SP3, and swing plane SP5 shifted the distance x2 forward from the golf ball position PB1 (S108). It should be noted that the information representing the swing planes SP1-SP5 may be stored in the storage 114. Finally, the control device 100 gives the instructions to adjust the angles of the poles 51 according to the information representing the swing planes SP4 and SP5 to the tilt adjustment mechanism 50, and gives the instructions to adjust the height of the light emitting parts 10 in accordance with the player's physique recognized from the captured image of the player PL1 to the height adjustment mechanism 60 (S110). The control device 100 may receive an operation to change the angles of the poles 51 from the player PL1 and give the instructions to adjust the angles of the poles 51 to the tilt adjustment mechanism 50, and may receive an operation to change the heights of the light emitting parts 10 from the player PL1 and give the instructions to adjust the heights of the light emitting parts 10 to the height adjustment mechanism 60. The tilt adjustment mechanism 50 fits the angles of the poles 51 to the angles of the swing planes SP4 and SP5 according to the instructions, and the height adjustment mechanism 60 adjusts the heights of the light emitting parts 10 by sliding the sliding member 61 according to the instructions.

In addition, the control device 100 may store information of the players PL1 in the storage 114, identify the player PL1 using the present golf swing assist apparatus 1, read the information of the player PL1 from the storage 114, and thereby set the swing planes SP4 and SP5. Each player PL1 can hereby start an exercise immediately.

FIG. 12 schematically exemplifies the swing state determination output process that the control device 100 performs. The swing state determination output process is repeatedly performed after the swing plane setting process shown in FIG. 11. It should be noted that the control device 100 performing the process in S204 carries out the detection step ST2 together with the light receiving parts 20. The control device 100 performing the processes in S206-S210 carries out the determination step ST3. The control device 100 performing the process in S212 carries out the output step ST4 together with the output unit 40. FIG. 13 schematically exemplifies a configuration of a processing table TA1 for the determining process in S210.

When the swing state determination output process starts, based on the detection result by the golf club passing detection unit 70 shown in FIG. 3, the control device 100 determines a downswing (swing start) of the player PL1 at the address position (S202). For example, the sensor 71 in the start area SD2 detects the passing of the golf club GC1, next, the upper sensor 73 detects the passing of the golf club GC1, next, the upper sensor 73 detects the passing of the golf club GC1 again, and thereby the control device 100 can determine the swing start. Next, based on the detection results of the light receiving parts 20, the control device 100 identifies a position where the laser beam BM1 was blocked among the positions of the light receiving parts 20 (S204). For example, in the case that the trajectory 200 of the hand PL4 and the golf club GC1 is the inside-out state 211 as exemplified in FIG. 14, blocking positions of the laser beam BM1 are the light receiving parts 21d and 21e. Next, the control device 100 determines whether the detections of the sensors 71-73 in the golf club passing detection unit 70 are in the detection order in swinging (S206). In the case that the player PL1 swings a wood as the golf club GC1, the passing of the golf club GC1 is detected in the order of the sensor 71 in the start area SD2, the upper sensor 73, the upper sensor 73, the sensor 71 in the start area SD2, and the sensor 72 in the launching area SD1. If the sensors 71-73 detect the passing of the golf club GC1 in this order, the control device 100 proceeds to a process in S208. If the detections of the sensors 71-73 are not in the above-mentioned order, the control device 100 terminates the swing state determination output process because the real swing has not been done yet.

Even if a correct swing is done, the trajectory 200 of the hand PL4 and the golf club GC1 may be in the non-set area AR2 at follow-through. In S208, therefore, the control device 100 determines the follow-through on the basis of the detection order of the passing of the golf club GC1 by each of the sensors 71-73, and excludes the detection result by the light receiving parts 20 after determining the follow-through. Thus, the determination unit 30 is configured to determine the follow-through on the basis of the detection result by the golf club passing detection unit 70, and is configured not to use the detection result by the light receiving parts 20 after determining the follow-through for determining the swing state. In the following description, unless otherwise noted, “trajectory 200” means the trajectory of the hand PL4 and the golf club GC1 until the determination of the follow-through.

Next, the control device 100 determines the swing state corresponding to the detection result by the light receiving parts 20 by referring to the processing table TA1 shown in FIG. 13 (S210). As exemplified in FIG. 14, the control device 100 is configured to determine, as the swing state, whether the trajectory 200 crossed the boundary plane SP0 on the way or not.

The processing table TA1 shown in FIG. 13 includes determination contents about the light receiving parts 21 located on the anterior swing plane SP5 (upper section in FIG. 13), determination contents about the light receiving parts 22 located on the posterior swing plane SP4 (middle section in FIG. 13), and final determination contents (lower section in FIG. 13). In this case, “OFF” indicates that the light receiving part 20 did not detect the interruption of the laser beam BM1, and “ON” indicates that the light receiving part 20 detected the interruption of the laser beam BM1. In addition, “OK” indicates that the trajectory 200 did not cross the boundary plane SP0, and “NG” indicates an obviously incorrect swing.

In the case that all of the light receiving parts 21 are OFF and all of the light receiving parts 22 are OFF, the case means that the trajectory 200 was in the set area AR1. In this case, the final determination is OK. It should be noted that the set area AR1 can be an allowed area in the case that non-OK swing states apply to incorrect swing states.

In the case that all of the light receiving parts 21 are ON, the case means that the trajectory 200 crossed the anterior swing plane SP5 from the beginning. In the case that all of the light receiving parts 22 are ON, the case means that the trajectory 200 crossed the posterior swing plane SP4 from the beginning. In either case, the final determination is NG.

In the case that the first light receiving part 21a in the hitting direction D1 is OFF and the light receiving parts turn to ON in the middle of the hitting direction D1, the swing state is the inside-out state 211 where the trajectory 200 changes from the set area AR1 to the non-set area AR2 by crossing the anterior swing plane SP5 on the way. In this case, the final determination includes the inside-out state 211 (an example of the first change state 210) about the anterior swing plane SP5. The inside-out state 211 shown in FIG. 14 is a swing state that the light receiving parts 21a-21c are OFF and the light receiving parts 21d and 21e are ON. It should be noted that there are cases where the inside-out state 211 is not considered to be an obviously incorrect swing state but a slight inside-out state is considered to be included in a correct swing state.

In the case that the first light receiving part 21a in the hitting direction D1 is ON and the light receiving parts turn to OFF in the middle of the hitting direction D1, the swing state is the outside-in state 221 where the trajectory 200 changes from the non-set area AR2 to the set area AR1 by crossing the anterior swing plane SP5 on the way. In this case, the final determination includes the outside-in state 221 (an example of the second change state 220) about the anterior swing plane SP5. The outside-in state 221 shown in FIG. 14 is a swing state that the light receiving parts 21a and 21b are ON and the light receiving parts 21c-21e are OFF.

In the case that the first light receiving part 22a in the hitting direction D1 is OFF and the light receiving parts turn to ON in the middle of the hitting direction D1, the swing state is the outside-in state 212 (an example of the first change state 210) where the trajectory 200 changes from the set area AR1 to the non-set area AR2 by crossing the posterior swing plane SP4 on the way. In this case, the final determination includes the outside-in state 212 about the posterior swing plane SP4. The outside-in state 212 shown in FIG. 14 is a swing state that the light receiving parts 22a-22c are OFF and the light receiving parts 22d and 22e are ON.

In the case that the first light receiving part 22a in the hitting direction D1 is ON and the light receiving parts turn to OFF in the middle of the hitting direction D1, the swing state is the inside-out state 222 where the trajectory 200 changes from the non-set area AR2 to the set area AR1 by crossing the posterior swing plane SP4 on the way. In this case, the final determination includes the inside-out state 222 (an example of the second change state 220) about the posterior swing plane SP4. The inside-out state 222 shown in FIG. 14 is a swing state that the light receiving parts 22a and 22b are ON and the light receiving parts 22c-22e are OFF.

In the case that the detection state of the light receiving parts 20 is not included in the above-mentioned patterns, the state is not conceivable in normal swings. In this case, the final determination is the error.

As described above, based on the detection results of the light receiving parts 20, the control device 100 is configured to determine which of states the swing state includes by referring to the processing table TA1, the states including the first change state 210 and the second change state 220.

Finally, the control device 100 causes the output unit 40 to output the determination result of the swing state (S212). In the case that the output unit 40 is the aerial display 45, the control device 100 causes the aerial display 45 to display at least one information selected among “OK”, “NG”, “inside-out state crossing anterior swing plane”, “outside-in state crossing anterior swing plane”, “outside-in state crossing posterior swing plane”, “inside-out state crossing posterior swing plane” and “error”. In the case that the output unit 40 is the sound output device 46, the control device 100 causes the sound output device 46 to output a sound in response to the above-mentioned information. In the case that the output unit 40 is the light emitting device 47, the control device 100 causes the light emitting device 47 to emit a light in response to the above-mentioned information.

FIG. 15 schematically exemplifies the swing rhythm transmission process that the control device 100 performs. The swing rhythm transmission process is also repeatedly performed after the swing plane setting process shown in FIG. 11. The control device 100 performing the processes in S302-S310 carries out the determination step ST3.

When the swing rhythm transmission process starts, the control device 100 causes the reference irradiation part 81 shown in FIG. 6 to emit the second visible laser beam BM3, causes the stream irradiation part 82 shown in FIG. 6 to emit the visible laser beam BM2 equivalent to the timing t4, and thereby causes a cross line to appear on the floor FL1 (S302). Next, the control device 100 performs the process in S202 shown in FIG. 12 (S304). In other words, the control device 100 determines the swing start of the player PL1 at the address position on the basis of the detection result by the golf club passing detection unit 70 shown in FIG. 3. The control device 100 acquires a time at the swing start (designated as Ts) from the clock part 110, causes the stream irradiation part 82 to stop emitting the irradiation of visible laser beam BM2, Next, the control device 100 causes the stream irradiation part 82 to irradiate the floor surface with the visible laser beam BM2 that streams in the hitting direction D1 so that the stream irradiation part 82 can irradiate the golf ball position PB1 with the visible laser beam BM2 at an elapse of a predetermined set timing T1 from the swing start (S308). The control device 100 should just causes the stream irradiation part 82 to irradiate the golf ball position PB1 with the visible laser beam BM2 at a time of Ts+T1. Not shown in the figure, the control device 100 may cause the sound output device 46 to output a sound tailored to the stream SR1 of the visible laser beam BM2. Finally, the control device 100 causes the irradiation device 80 to stop emitting the second visible laser beam BM3 and the visible laser beam BM2 so that the reference line LN3 and the stream SR1 of the visible laser beam BM2 will disappear at an elapse of a predetermined end timing T2 from the swing start (S310).

Since the golf swing assist apparatus 1 outputs the highly precise determination result of the swing state quickly as described above, the player PL1 at the address position can get the highly precise determination result of the swing state on the spot. Besides, the player PL1 can learn a swing timing and further improve his or her ability to swing by swinging the golf club GC1 while looking at the stream SR1 of the visible laser beam BM2 in hitting direction D1.

(4) Variation

The present technology is not limited to the above-mentioned specific examples.

For example, the present technology also includes determining the swing state on the basis of the detection results of the light receiving parts 20 only on the front boundary plane (SP5) without determining the swing state on the rear boundary plane (SP4). The present technology also includes determining the swing state on the basis of the detection results of the light receiving parts 20 only on the rear boundary plane (SP4) without determining the swing state on the front boundary plane (SP5).

The boundary plane SP0 may be set within an area that the hand PL4 of the player PL1 cannot cross, i.e. within the area that only the golf club GC1 can cross.

The present technology also includes the case where at least one of the inside-out state and the outside-in state is not included in the determined swing state.

The present technology also includes causing the stream SR1 of the visible laser beam BM2 to appear without the reference line LN3.

As long as the determination result of the swing state, the more accurate determination result is obtained even if the reference line LN3 and the stream SR1 of the visible laser beam BM2 do not appear.

(5) Conclusion

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide technologies that is capable of determining the swing state of the player more precisely in various embodiments, the technologies including the golf swing assist apparatus and the golf swing assist method. Of course, the technology consisting of the components in each independent claim can produce the above-mentioned primary operation and effect.

It is also possible to implement configurations formed by exchanging or combining the components disclosed in the above-mentioned examples with each another, configurations formed by exchanging or combining components in related art and the components disclosed in the above-mentioned examples with each another, etc. The present invention implies these configurations and the like.

• • 1 . . . golf swing assist apparatus,
  • 10,11,12 . . . light emitting part, 20,21,22 . . . light receiving part, 30 . . . determination unit,
  • 40 . . . output unit, 45 . . . aerial display, 46 . . . sound output device, 47 . . . light emitting device,
  • 50 . . . tilt adjustment mechanism, 60 . . . height adjustment mechanism,
  • 70 . . . golf club passing detection unit, 71-73 . . . sensor,
  • 80 . . . irradiation device, 81 . . . reference irradiation part, 82 . . . stream irradiation part,
  • 100 . . . control device,
  • 200 . . . trajectory, 210 . . . first change state, 220 . . . second change state,
  • 211,222 . . . inside-out state, 212,221 . . . outside-in state,
  • AR1 . . . set area, AR2 . . . non-set area,
  • BM1 . . . laser beam, BM2 . . . visible laser beam, BM3 . . . second visible laser beam,
  • D1 . . . hitting direction, D2 . . . horizontal direction along the boundary plane,
  • FL1 . . . floor surface,
  • GB1 . . . golf ball,
  • GC1 . . . golf club, GC2 . . . shaft, GC3 . . . head,
  • LN1 . . . address line, LN2 . . . swing line, LN3 . . . reference line,
  • P0 . . . irradiation position,
  • PB1 . . . golf ball position,
  • PL1 . . . player, PL2 . . . neck, PL3 . . . elbow, PL4 . . . hand, PL5 . . . foot,
  • SD1 . . . launching area, SD2 . . . start area,
  • SP0 . . . boundary plane, SP1-SP5 . . . swing plane,
  • SR1 . . . stream,
  • ST1 . . . emission step, ST2 . . . detection step, ST3 . . . determination step, ST4 . . . output step,

T1 . . . set timing, T2 . . . end timing.

Claims

1. A golf swing assist apparatus, comprising:

a light emitting part configured to emit a laser beam along a boundary plane that demarcates whether a trajectory of a golf club is in a set area or not;

light receiving parts located at an irradiation position of the laser beam along the boundary plane, the light receiving parts configured to detect whether the laser beam toward the irradiation position is being blocked or not;

a determination unit configured to determine a swing state of a player on a basis of a detection result by the light receiving parts; and

an output unit configured to output a determination result of the swing state.

2. The golf swing assist apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the light emitting part is configured to emit the laser beam having a linear irradiation range through the light receiving parts.

3. The golf swing assist apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

there are a plurality of the boundary planes including a front boundary plane on a front side of the set area and a rear boundary plane on a rear side of the set area, and

the determination unit is configured to determine the swing state on a basis of the detection result by the light receiving parts located on the front boundary plane and the detection result by the light receiving parts located on the rear boundary plane.

4. The golf swing assist apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the light receiving parts are located along a floor surface in the boundary plane,

the light emitting part is located at a higher position than the light receiving parts, and

assuming that a launching area is an area where a golf ball is flown toward from a predetermined golf ball position in the set area and a start area is opposite to the launching area in a horizontal direction along the boundary plane, the light emitting part is located in the start area, and the light receiving parts are located in the launching area.

5. The golf swing assist apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a tilt adjustment mechanism that can adjust an angle of the boundary plane to the floor surface, and

a height adjustment mechanism that can adjust a height of the light emitting part on the boundary plane.

6. The golf swing assist apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the determination unit is configured to determine, as the swing state, whether the trajectory crossed the boundary plane on a way of the trajectory on the basis of the detection result by the light receiving parts, and

the output unit is configured to output the determination result including whether the trajectory crossed the boundary plane on the way or not.

7. The golf swing assist apparatus according to claim 6, wherein

the determination unit is configured to determine which of states the swing state includes on the basis of the detection result by the light receiving parts, the states including a first change state where the trajectory changes from the set area to a non-set area by crossing the boundary plane on the way and a second change state where the trajectory changes from the non-set area to the set area by crossing the boundary plane on the way, and

the output unit is configured to output the determination result of the swing state including the first change state and the second change state.

8. The golf swing assist apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a golf club passing detection unit configured to detect a movement of the golf club so as to enable a determination of a follow-through, wherein

the determination unit is configured to determine the follow-through on a basis of a detection result by the golf club passing detection unit, and

the determination unit is configured not to use the detection result by the light receiving parts after determining the follow-through for determining the swing state.

9. The golf swing assist apparatus according to claim 8, wherein

the golf club passing detection unit includes sensors that detect passing of the golf club at respective positions where the golf club passes in swinging, and

the determination unit is configured to determine the follow-through on a basis of a detection order of passing of the golf club by the sensors.

10. The golf swing assist apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a golf club passing detection unit configured to detect a movement of the golf club so as to enable a determination of a swing start, and

an irradiation device configured to irradiate a floor surface with a visible laser beam that streams in a hitting direction along a swing line through a predetermined golf ball position in the set area, wherein

the determination unit is configured to determine the swing start on a basis of a detection result by the golf club passing detection unit, and

the determination unit is configured to cause the irradiation device to irradiate the floor surface with the visible laser beam that streams in the hitting direction so that the irradiation device can irradiate the golf ball position with the visible laser beam at an elapse of a set timing from the swing start.

11. The golf swing assist apparatus according to claim 10, wherein

the irradiation device is configured to irradiate the floor surface with a second visible laser beam so that a linear reference line crossing the swing line through the golf ball position can appear.

12. The golf swing assist apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the output unit includes an aerial display that causes an aerial display screen to appear ahead of the set area with reference to an address position of the player, and

the output unit is configured to cause the aerial display to display the determination result.

13. The golf swing assist apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a player detection unit configured to detect whether the player is present at the address position of the player or not; and

an emission control unit configured to cause the light emitting part to emit the laser beam when the player detection unit detects that the player is present at the address position, the emission control unit being configured to cause the light emitting part to stop emitting the laser beam when the player detection unit detects that the player is not present at the address position.

14. A golf swing assist method, comprising:

an emission step of a light emitting part emitting a laser beam along a boundary plane that demarcates whether a trajectory of a golf club is in a set area or not;

a detection step of light receiving parts detecting whether the laser beam toward an irradiation position is being blocked or not, the light receiving parts being located at the irradiation position of the laser beam along the boundary plane;

a determination step of determining a swing state of a player on a basis of a detection result by the light receiving parts; and

an output step of outputting a determination result of the swing state.