Method and apparatus for sport swing analysis system

Abstract

A sports swing analysis system analyzes characteristics of a golf club swing and operates in putting mode.

1 . A golf swing analyzer comprising: 
 a radiation source configured to emit electromagnetic radiation toward a location in the path of a swung golf club,    a radiation receiver configured to receive electromagnetic radiation reflected from the swung golf club;    a controller configured to generate at least one signal for each transition in light level reflected from the golf club head; and    the controller configured to analyze parameters of a golf club swung at a speed that is lower than a valid swing speed.    
   
   
       2 . The putting analyzer of  claim 1  wherein the controller is configured to respond to user input by entering a putting mode in which the controller is responsive to signals generated by light level transitions.  
   
   
       3 . The putting analyzer of  claim 2  wherein the controller is configured to operate in the putting mode until user input terminates the putting mode.  
   
   
       4 . The putting analyzer of  claim 3  wherein the controller is configured to operate in the putting mode until a predetermined period transpires during which no light level transition signals are generated.  
   
   
       5 . The swing analyzer of  claim 2  where the controller is configured to recognize swing speeds greater than or equal to ten miles per hour as valid swing speeds.  
   
   
       6 . A golf swing analyzer comprising: 
 a radiation source configured to emit electromagnetic radiation toward a location in the path of a swung golf club,    a radiation receiver configured to receive electromagnetic radiation reflected from the swung golf club;    a controller configured to generate at least one signal for each transition in light level reflected from the golf club head; and    the controller configured to analyze parameters of a golf club in two modes, one mode corresponding to a swing that is greater than or equal to a threshold speed and a second, putting mode, that is less than the threshold speed.    
   
   
       6 . The golf swing analyzer of  claim 6  wherein the controller is configured to enter the putting mode in response to user input.  
   
   
       7 . The golf swing analyzer of  claim 6  wherein the controller is configured to enter the putting analysis mode in response to a pattern of light level transition signals.  
   
   
       8 . A golf swing analysis method comprising the steps of 
 (A) a radiation source emitting electromagnetic radiation toward a location in the path of a swung golf club,    (B) a radiation receiver receiving electromagnetic radiation reflected from the swung golf club;    (C) a controller generating at least one signal for each transition in light level reflected from the golf club head; and    (D) the controller analyzing parameters of a golf club swung at a speed that is lower than a valid swing speed.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising the step of: 
 (E) the controller responding to user input by entering a putting mode in which the controller is responsive to signals generated by light level transitions.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising the step of: 
 (F) the controller operating in the putting mode until user input terminates the putting mode.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of: 
 (G) the controller operating in the putting mode until a predetermined period transpires during which no light level transition signals are generated.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising the step of: 
 (H) the controller recognizing swing speeds greater than or equal to ten miles per hour as valid swing speeds.    
   
   
       13 . A golf swing analysis method comprising the steps of: 
 (A) a radiation source emitting electromagnetic radiation toward a location in the path of a swung golf club,    (B) a radiation receiver receiving electromagnetic radiation reflected from the swung golf club;    (C) a controller generating at least one signal for each transition in light level reflected from the golf club head; and    (D) the controller analyzing parameters of a golf club in two modes, one mode corresponding to a swing that is greater than or equal to a threshold speed and a second, putting mode, that is less than the threshold speed.    
   
   
       14 . The golf swing analysis method of  claim 13  further comprising the step of: 
 (E) the controller entering the putting mode in response to user input.    
   
   
       15 . The golf swing analysis method of  claim 13  further comprising the step of: 
 the controller entering the putting analysis mode in response to a pattern of light level transition signals.