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`
`US 20050272516A1
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0272516 A1
`Gobush
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Dec. 8, 2005
`
`(54) LAUNCH MONITOR
`
`(52) US. Cl. ............................................................ .. 473/200
`
`(76) Inventor: William Gobush, North Dartmouth,
`M A (Us)
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Edward A. Pennington, Esq.
`Swidler Berlin Shere?' Friedman, LLP
`Suite 300
`3000 K Street, NW
`Washington, DC 20007-5116 (US)
`
`(21) Appl' NO':
`-
`_
`22 F1 d.
`16
`(
`)
`
`10/898’584
`
`l. 26 2004
`‘In
`’
`Related US Application Data
`
`(63) Continuationdnmart of application No_ 10/861,443,
`?led on Jun' 7, 2004'
`
`Publication Classi?cation
`
`(51) Int. Cl.7 ........................ .. A63B 57/00; A63B 53/00;
`A63B 69/36; A63B 55/00
`
`A launch monitor that includes substantially all of its func
`tional components on or Within a housing is disclosed. In
`one embodiment, the launch monitor is capable of being
`transported and used in any desired location. One or more
`camera’s, ?ashes, and triggers may be used to acquire
`images of a golf club and golf ball. The launch monitor is
`preferably capable of receiving and transmitting data over a
`Wireless network. Acquired images and other data may be
`analyzed by a processor, and then displayed using an LED,
`LCD or other type of display or printer. The launch monitor
`may “recognize” a plurality of golf clubs and golf balls
`based on an optical ?ngerprint. The optical ?ngerprints,
`Which are preferably stored in a memory, alloW the launch
`monitor to identify a golf club and/or ball substantially soon
`after they are placed in the ?eld of vieW of the monitor
`Optical ?ngerprinting enables automatic record keeping, and
`storing performance data and equipment used simulta
`neously. This feature eliminates tedious record keeping,
`eliminates data entry errors, and enables rapid equipment
`optimization.
`
`SHOT AN ALYS|S
`
`‘\| ANALYSIS
`
`DATABASE 0101011 00101000101
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`
`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1014
`Page 1
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Dec. 8, 2005 Sheet 1 0f 21
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`US 2005/0272516 A1
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`Zepp Labs, Inc.
`ZEPP 1014
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`Right Handed Setup
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`2013
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`US 2005/0272516 Al
`
`Dec. 8, 2005
`
`1
`
`LAUNCH MONITOR
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] The present invention is a Continuation-in-Part of
`U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/861,443, entitled
`"Launch Monitor," filed Jun. 7, 2004.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] The present invention relates to a launch monitor.
`More specifically, the present invention relates to a portable
`launch monitor that includes substantially all of its func(cid:173)
`tional components on or within a single housing, and having
`a graphical user interface and database structure that pro(cid:173)
`vides unique and novel capabilities.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0003] Over the past thirty years, camera acquisition of a
`golfer's club movement and ball launch conditions have
`been patented and improved upon. An example of one of the
`earliest high speed imaging systems, entitled "Golf Club
`Impact and Golf Ball Monitoring System," to Sullivan et al.,
`was filed in 1977. This automatic imaging system employed
`six cameras to capture pre-impact conditions of the club and
`post impact launch conditions of a golf ball using retrore(cid:173)
`flective markers. In an attempt to make such a system
`portable to outside testing, patents such as U.S. Pat. Nos.
`5,471,383 and 5,501,463 to Gobush disclosed a system of
`two cameras that could triangulate the location of retrore(cid:173)
`flective markers appended to a club or golf ball in motion.
`
`[0004] Systems such as this allowed the kinematics of the
`club and ball to be measured. Additionally, systems such as
`this allowed a user to compare their performance using a
`plurality of golf clubs and balls. In 2001, U.S. patent app.
`No. 2002/01558961, entitled "Launch Monitor System and
`a Method for Use Thereof," was published. This application
`described a method of monitoring both golf clubs and balls
`in a single system. This resulted in an improved portable
`system that combined the features of the separate systems
`that had been disclosed previously. In Dec. 5, 2001, the use
`of fluorescent markers in the measurement of golf equip(cid:173)
`ment was disclosed in U.S. patent app. No. 2002/0173367.
`
`[0005] However, these prior inventions do not provide an
`apparatus that includes portability and state of the art
`imaging technology. These systems also failed to utilize data
`networks, such as the Internet, to transfer information to a
`database that is capable of maintaining historical knowledge
`of a players performance and characteristics. Furthermore, a
`continuing need exists for a battery operated apparatus that
`is portable and includes wireless networking that further
`improves the ease of use.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0006] The tools that are often used to aid competitive golf
`players are commonly referred to as Launch Monitor. A
`launch monitor typically includes an imaging system that is
`capable of imaging dynamic events such as the motion of the
`golfers club, balls, or body. The image may include one or
`more image frames. The image or images may then be
`analyzed using a desired mathematical algorithm that
`enables the kinematic characteristics of the club, ball, or
`body to be determined.
`
`[0007] Because of the complexity of the analysis, launch
`monitors often include many parts including, but not limited
`to, a camera, a processor, a strobe, a trigger, and a visual
`display. These parts often make the launch monitor large, or
`difficult to maneuver. Some launch monitors may have
`multiple parts distributed over a given area or may require
`assembly at the test location. This makes the launch monitor
`difficult to
`transport, setup, and/or calibrate. In most
`instances, a golf player must go to the location of the launch
`monitor, rather than using the launch monitor at any location
`on a golf course.
`
`[0008]
`In one embodiment, the present invention com(cid:173)
`prises an apparatus for measuring golf club and ball kine(cid:173)
`matics. This embodiment includes a camera system capable
`of acquiring a plurality images of a field of view. The camera
`system may be powered by a self contained power cell that
`is capable of providing power to the apparatus for at least
`two hours. Having a self contained power cell allows the
`apparatus to be capable of being moved to a plurality of
`locations based on at least two rolling devices, which may
`comprise at least two wheels. In some embodiments, the self
`contained power cell may be rechargeable. In one embodi(cid:173)
`ment, the self contained power cell is capable of providing
`power for at least four hours. However, in other embodi(cid:173)
`ments, it may be capable of providing power for at least
`eight hours.
`
`[0009]
`In one embodiment, the self contained power cell
`comprises a battery, which may be selectively positioned
`within a housing. Preferably, the battery comprises about
`10% or less of the space within the housing. In one embodi(cid:173)
`ment, the battery may comprise a nickel metal hydride
`battery or a lithium ion battery. The self-contained power
`cell may have 50 or more watt/hours of power. In another
`embodiment, the self-contained power cell has 250 or more
`watt/hours of power. In other embodiments, however, the
`self-contained power cell has 500 or more watt/hours of
`power.
`
`[0010]
`In one embodiment, the present invention includes
`a housing that is sized and configured to hold the camera
`system and the self-contained power cell. The apparatus may
`also comprise an electronic display that is integrally formed
`in the housing. In some embodiments, the electronic display
`has a diagonal size of about 11 inches or greater.
`
`[0011]
`In one embodiment, the present invention may be
`capable of determining golf club kinematic information
`selected from the group consisting of club head speed, club
`head path angle, club head attack angle, club head loft, club
`head droop, club head face angle, club head face spin, club
`head droop spin, club head loft spin, and ball impact location
`on the golf club face. In another embodiment, the present
`invention may also be capable of determining golf ball
`kinematic information selected from the group consisting of
`ball speed, ball elevation angle, ball azimuth angle, ball back
`spin, ball rifle spin, ball side spin, and ball impact location
`on the golf club face. Preferably, the kinematic information
`is acquired based on four cameras and at least two light
`sources that are capable of illuminating the field of view.
`
`[0012]
`In another embodiment, the present invention com(cid:173)
`prises a method for measuring golf club and ball kinematics
`that includes providing a portable housing and selectively
`positioning a battery within the portable housing. In this
`embodiment, the battery is capable of providing operating
`
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`power for at least two hours. In other embodiments, the
`battery may be capable of providing operating power for at
`least four hours or eight hours. In this embodiment, the
`portable housing is based on at least rolling devices, which
`may comprise two wheels.
`[0013]
`In one embodiment, the present invention com(cid:173)
`prises a method for measuring the kinematics of a golf object
`comprising storing image reference information for a plu(cid:173)
`rality of golf objects. An image of at least one of the golf
`objects in motion may then be acquired. The golf object may
`be automatically identified based on a comparison to the
`stored image reference information. The stored image ref(cid:173)
`erence information is based on inherent features of said golf
`objects. The automatic identification may be performed at a
`rate of about six seconds or less. However, in other embodi(cid:173)
`ments the rate may be about three seconds or less, or
`alternately about one second or less.
`[0014] This embodiment further comprises providing an
`imaging system having a resolution of greater than about 0.5
`lp/mm, 1 lp/mm, or 5 lp/mm. The imaging system may be
`used to detect inherent features of the golf objects, which
`may include one or more of a logo, an indicia printed on the
`surface of the golf object, or a geometric profile of the
`object. The stored image reference information may com(cid:173)
`prise Eigen values for the plurality of golf objects. In this
`embodiment, the step of automatically identifying the at
`least one golf object comprises calculating the Eigen value
`of the at least one golf object from the acquired image and
`comparing it to the stored image reference information.
`[0015]
`In one embodiment, at least one golf object has a
`marker applied to an outer surface in order to allow an object
`to be recognized. Alternately, the outer surface of the at least
`one golf object comprises at least 3 markers. Preferably, the
`markers, which may be fluorescent or retrorefiective, are
`capable of creating a high contrast with the surface of the at
`least one golf object.
`[0016]
`In one embodiment, the stored image reference
`information comprises information for 50 or more golf
`objects. In another embodiment, the stored image reference
`information comprises information for 200 or more golf
`objects. Alternately, stored image reference information may
`comprise information for 500 or more golf objects.
`[0017]
`In another embodiment, the present invention com(cid:173)
`prises a system for measuring the kinematics of a golf object
`comprising at least one camera system and a computational
`device capable of automatically identifying an acquired
`image from a library of stored reference information. In this
`embodiment, the computational device is capable of auto(cid:173)
`matically identifying the acquired image in about six sec(cid:173)
`onds or less. However, in other embodiments the computa(cid:173)
`tional device may be capable of identifying the acquired
`image in about three seconds or less, or alternately in about
`one second or less.
`[0018] This embodiment also includes an imaging system
`having a resolution of greater than about 0.5 lp/mm, 1
`lp/mm, or 5 lp/mm. The imaging system may be used to
`acquire the stored reference information, which is preferably
`based on inherent features of the golf objects. In one
`embodiment, the automatic identification is based on Eigen
`values.
`[0019]
`In another embodiment, the present invention com(cid:173)
`prises an apparatus for determining golf club and ball
`
`kinematics comprising a camera system having a field of
`view and a display device. This embodiment also includes a
`teeing aid that is capable of assisting a golfer in placing the
`golf ball within the camera's field of view in order to locate
`the ball within a predetermined teeing position. Preferably,
`the teeing aid is capable of grabbing and sequentially
`presenting a plurality of video images. The images may have
`a frame rate, which may be greater than about 5, 10, or 20
`frames/sec.
`
`[0020]
`In one embodiment, the teeing aid has a field of
`view. The field of view may be greater than about 2"x4" or
`about 4.5"x6.5". The field of view is preferably illuminated
`by at least one light source. Preferably, the light source
`comprises a light emitting diode. The teeing aid may be
`persistently or selectively activated. Alternately, the teeing
`aid may be automatically deactivated after detecting the
`presence of a golf ball.
`
`[0021]
`In one embodiment, the field of view comprises a
`substantially square grid. The grid may include a plurality of
`smaller squares having dimensions at least equal to the
`diameter of the golf ball. The square grid preferably allows
`the present invention to be capable of measuring an existing
`ball location based on the plurality of smaller squares and
`instructing a user to move the golf ball. A user may be
`instructed to move the golf ball downrange, uprange, toward
`a golfer, or away from a golfer.
`
`[0022]
`In one embodiment, the present invention further
`comprises at least one trigger. Preferably, the at least one
`trigger requires no readjustment for left or right handed
`golfers. The trigger may comprise an optical trigger includ(cid:173)
`ing a laser, an ultrasonic trigger, a rapid response trigger, or
`a discrete logic device. The trigger is preferably capable of
`determining the timing of the at least one light source and
`camera based on a look-up table. In some embodiments, the
`look-up table comprises at least 20 categories.
`
`[0023]
`In another embodiment, the present invention com(cid:173)
`prises a method for determining golf club and ball kinemat(cid:173)
`ics comprising grabbing and sequentially presenting a plu(cid:173)
`rality of video images using a teeing aid. The method also
`includes selectively activating at least one light source that
`is capable of illuminating the field of view presented by the
`teeing aid.
`
`[0024]
`In another embodiment, the present invention com(cid:173)
`prises an apparatus for measuring club and ball kinematics.
`The apparatus includes a camera system, at least one trigger
`operatively connected to the camera system, a processor
`capable of running an operating system, and a handheld
`remote control for interacting with the operating system. The
`remote control may operate within the radio frequency
`spectrum or infrared frequency spectrum. Alternately, the
`remote control may be connected to the housing based on a
`cable or it may be hardwired to the housing.
`
`[0025]
`In embodiments where the remote control operates
`within the radio or infrared spectrums, the operating system
`is preferably capable of identifying the handheld remote
`associated with the apparatus such that it only responds to its
`associated handheld remote. The remote control may be
`stored within the housing. In one embodiment, the present
`invention also includes a graphical user interface. The
`graphical user interface may be capable of displaying the
`impact position on a photo-realistic graphic image of a club
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`face. The graphical user interface may be capable of dis(cid:173)
`playing a carry plot. The carry plot may illustrate a plan view
`of calculated ball landing positions on a fairway or a plan
`view of golf ball trajectory and an elevation view of golf ball
`trajectory. The plan view may include multiple shots on the
`same carry plot. Preferably, a current shot is highlighted in
`a different color from one or more previous shots. The
`graphical user interface may also be capable of illustrating
`the orientation and direction of motion of a club head, the
`direction of motion of a golf ball, and comparison charts.
`[0026]
`In one embodiment, the comparison chart may
`include multiple impact positions on a club face, or a landing
`plot capable of graphically depicting the landing positions of
`ball struck using different clubs. In some embodiments,
`multiple trajectories may be placed on the same plot. In
`other embodiments, the graphical user interface may be
`capable of displaying a contour plot illustrating carry dis(cid:173)
`tance or total distance of a ball as a function of backspin rate
`and launch angle at a particular speed.
`[0027]
`In one embodiment, the graphical user interface
`includes drop down menus. A user may navigate between the
`drop down menu's and multiple displays by using a hand(cid:173)
`held remote. Preferably, the remote allows a user to navigate
`in at least four directions. It may be desirable to allow the
`graphical user interface to include graphic icons that are
`used to inform a user of a system status. System status may
`include the battery level, AC power, operating mode, net(cid:173)
`work status, ready status, and trigger status of the apparatus.
`[0028]
`In another embodiment, the present invention com(cid:173)
`prises a method for determining club and ball kinematics.
`The method includes providing a processor capable of
`running an operating system and providing a remote control
`for interacting with the operating system. The remote control
`may be based on radio frequency identification.
`[0029]
`In another embodiment, the present invention com(cid:173)
`prises a method for determining club and ball kinematics.
`The method includes the steps of providing an apparatus
`comprising a camera system capable of acquiring a plurality
`of images of a field of view and a processor capable of
`running an operating system. The method also includes
`providing a network capability capable of interacting with
`the operating system wherein the network is capable of
`interacting with remote data processing devices. In one
`embodiment, the network comprises a wireless network,
`standard Ethernet connection, or a telephone modem. The
`network is preferably capable of transferring data at a rate of
`1 Mbps, 5 Mbps, 10 Mbps, or more. In this embodiment, the
`remote data processing devices may comprise a laptop
`computer or a display device.
`[0030]
`In one embodiment, the network may be used to
`transfer data to a central server to display a golfer's char(cid:173)
`acteristics, such as club characteristics, ball characteristics,
`ball trajectory, equipment comparison, and the like. In other
`embodiments the network may be capable of transmitting
`transaction information, such as an equipment order, finan(cid:173)
`cial information of a purchaser, a shipping address, and
`salesperson information, to a central server. Additionally, the
`network may be capable of transmitting order confirmation
`information, updating software for the operating system,
`transferring data to multiple data consumers, and the like.
`[0031]
`In one embodiment, the present invention com(cid:173)
`prises an apparatus for determining golf club and ball
`
`kinematics. The apparatus comprises a camera system
`capable of acquiring a plurality of images of a field of view,
`and a networking device capable of interacting with a
`processor. The networking device is preferably capable of
`interacting with a remote data processing device.
`[0032]
`In another embodiment, the present invention com(cid:173)
`prises an apparatus for determining golf club and ball
`kinematics. This embodiment includes a camera system
`capable of acquiring a plurality of images of a field of view
`and a wireless networking device capable of interacting with
`a processor. The wireless networking device is preferably
`capable of interacting with a remote data processing device.
`[0033]
`In another embodiment, the present invention com(cid:173)
`prises a method for determining club and ball kinematics.
`The method comprises the steps of providing an apparatus
`comprising a camera system capable of acquiring a plurality
`of images of a field of view and a processor capable of
`running an operating system. The method further includes
`providing a network capability capable of interacting with
`the operating system. In this embodiment, the network is
`capable of interacting with remote data processing devices.
`In this embodiment, the club and ball are preferably auto(cid:173)
`matically identified.
`[0034]
`In another embodiment, the present invention com(cid:173)
`prises a method for determining club and ball kinematics.
`The method includes providing an apparatus comprising a
`camera system capable of acquiring a plurality of images of
`a field of view, a processor capable of running an operating
`system, and a self contained power cell. The method also
`includes providing a network capability capable of interact(cid:173)
`ing with the operating system. In this embodiment, the
`network is capable of interacting with remote data process(cid:173)
`ing devices.
`[0035]
`In one embodiment, the self contained power cell
`comprises a battery, which may be rechargeable. The battery
`may be, for example, a nickel metal hydride battery or a
`lithium ion battery. In one embodiment, the self contained
`power cell may have 50 or more watt/hours of power.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`[0036] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing one embodiment of an
`exemplary portable housing;
`[0037] FIG. 2 is a table showing an exemplary lookup
`table structure employed by an FPGA algorithm;
`[0038] FIGS. 3-7 are block diagrams that illustrate the
`major functional components in one embodiment of the
`present invention;
`[0039] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an exemplary display
`on the user interface;
`[0040] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another exemplary
`display on the user interface;
`[0041] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing one example of a
`teeing aid displayed on an integrated display;
`[0042] FIG. 11 is a table illustrating data acquired using
`an exemplary launch monitor in accordance with the present
`invention;
`[0043] FIGS. 12 and 13 are tables showing the average
`and standard deviations measured for each kinematic char(cid:173)
`acteristic;
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`[0044] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an exemplary
`screenshot that may be displayed on the user interface;
`
`the precision and accuracy of the measurements acquired by
`the launch monitor may be compromised in the process.
`
`[0045] FIGS. 15-17 are diagrams showing a kinematic
`analysis of a club;
`
`[0046] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing one exemplary type
`of kinematic analysis that may be performed according to an
`exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
`
`[0047] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the kinematic analy(cid:173)
`sis of three different clubs displayed on an exemplary user
`interface.
`
`[0048] FIGS. 20A and 20B are diagrams showing one
`embodiment of the face according to the present invention;
`and
`
`[0049] FIGS. 21A and 21B are diagrams showing another
`embodiment of the face according to the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF IBE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0050] Competitive athle