Determining and analyzing movement and spin characteristics in a golf shot

Abstract

A system or apparatus ( 1 ) determines movement characteristics of a golf club ( 19 ) and ball ( 13 ), including spin characteristics of the ball, without addition or detection of marks or markers on the ball. A beam interrupt system measures club movement up to and including impact and ball movement at and following impact. Spin characteristics are determined, including spin components and causes of spin.

1 .- 86 . (canceled) 
     
     
         87 . A method for determining and analyzing movement characteristics related to a specific golf swing where impact occurs between a club and a ball, where direct measurement is made which defines 3D direction of motion of the ball following impact, when said specific golf swing is executed, characterized in that:
 a) movement characteristics include ball spin characteristics which comprise a selection from a group including angle spin characteristics and angle spin characteristics and off-center spin characteristics;   b) angle spin characteristics comprise rate of angle spin and 3D orientation of the axis of angle spin;   c) ball spin characteristics are determined without the need for addition or detection of surface or internal marks or markers on the ball;   d) 3D orientation of the axis of angle spin is determined using direct measurement which defines 3D direction of motion of the ball following impact when said specific golf swing is executed, and direct measurement which accurately defines 3D direction of motion of the club before impact, when said specific golf swing is executed; and   e) rate of angle spin is determined by using predetermined information on a ball instead of actual information on the ball used in the specific golf swing, together with direct measurements which define a selection from the following movement characteristics when said specific golf swing is executed, including 3D direction of motion of the ball, magnitude of ball speed, 3D direction of motion of the club, magnitude of dub speed, and 3D face-direction-angle of the club.   
     
     
         88 . A method according to  claim 87 , which further includes one or more of the following steps:
 analyzing movement characteristics and indicating causes of ball spin characteristics;   automatically measuring, determining, and a selection from analyzing and interpreting, spin characteristics, club movement characteristics and ball movement characteristics, without the aid of a human technician or expert;   determining spin characteristics by effective reconstruction of the impact event from measured club movement characteristics before impact and measured ball movement characteristics following impact;   determining spin characteristics by combining potentially duplicate information from measurements of club movement characteristics before impact in the specific swing and ball movement following impact in the specific swing, to create new information of a selection from greater accuracy or greater reliability related to ball spin characteristics;   basing values of ball properties required in the determination of ball spin characteristics on predetermined standard properties; and   basing values of ball properties required in the determination of ball spin characteristics on predetermined standard properties which do not significantly influence measurements of ball movement characteristics used in determining ball spin characteristics.   
     
     
         89 . A method according to  claim 87 , where movement characteristics are combined by artificial intelligence means, and which comprises a selection from the following features:
 the artificial intelligence means operates in association with an electronic processing means;   the artificial intelligence means comprises a neural network system which is trained with training inputs, comprising measurements of club movement characteristics before impact and ball movement characteristics following impact, and training outputs, comprising ball spin characteristics;   ball spin, characteristics are determined from measured club movement characteristics before impact and ball movement characteristics following impact and combined with data from the artificial intelligence system,   ball spin characteristics are determined from a selection from predetermined ball data and predetermined ball data used by the artificial intelligence means;   ball spin characteristics are determined from a selection from measured club movement characteristics and further club information which is determined from measured club information and combined with data from the artificial intelligence means; and   the swing is analyzed using a selection from measured ball movement characteristics, measured club movement characteristics, further club information which is determined from measured club information, combined data from the artificial intelligence means and predetermined ball data.   
     
     
         90 . A method according to  claim 87 , which includes one or more of the following steps:
 values of ball properties required in the determination of ball spin characteristics are based on predetermined standard properties and where properties used as standard properties do not significantly influence measurements of ball movement characteristics used in determining ball spin characteristics;   a component of angle spin, such as side spin, is determined by determining spin characteristics which would apply if off-center spin was not present or not accounted;   measured club movement characteristics and measured ball movement characteristics, are used to determine a selection from angle spin rate data, angle spin axis data which would have occurred if off-center spin had not been present, and off-center spin data;   data combined from ball and club data using artificial intelligence are used;   angle spin component data are determined from angle spin rate data and angle spin axis data which would have occurred if off-center spin had not been present;   spin data are determined from angle spin rate data and angle spin component data and off-center spin data; and   predetermined ball data are also used.   
     
     
         91 . A method according to  claim 87 , which additionally includes one or more of the following steps:
 angle spin characteristics are determined from measurements which include club velocity and club face direction before impact, and a constant value which is predetermined by trial for given club and ball conditions;   clubhead mass is determined from club movement characteristics measured before impact, and ball movement characteristics and club movement characteristics measured after impact;   club face direction angle is determined from a predetermined mathematical relationship, such as a second order polynomial, established by trial where the variable is ball direction angle;   spin data are determined from measurements which include the club velocity vector before impact and ball velocity vector following impact;   angle spin data are determined from measurements which include the club velocity vector before impact, ball velocity vector following impact, and club face direction before impact; and   off-center spin data are determined from measurements which include the club velocity vector before impact, ball velocity vector following impact, and impact position on the clubface.   
     
     
         92 . A method according to  claim 87 , which additionally includes one or more of the following steps:
 a selection from club movement characteristics and ball movement characteristics are measured using a selection from a high-speed camera system, a radar detection system, or a beam interruption system;   images of a selection from the club and ball are captured stereoscopically at different angles at high speed;   the angle of the club shaft is measured or determined and is used in determining movement characteristics of the club;   club movement characteristics are measured or determined by a beam interruption system, which includes a selection from the following features;
 a) a plurality of beams are disposed in the path of the club; 
 b) there are at least three club measurement beams; 
 c) where accuracy is important, there are at least four club measurement beams; and 
 d) club measurement beams are set at different angles; 
   ball movement characteristics are measured or determined by a beam interruption system, which includes a selection from the following features;
 a) a plurality of beams are disposed in the path of the ball; 
 b) there are at least two ball measurement beams; 
 c) where accuracy is important, there are at least four ball measurement beams; 
 d) where accuracy is important, and where shots vary significantly in loft angle, there are at least six ball measurement beams; and 
 e) ball measurement beams are set at different angles; and 
   a selection from club movement characteristics and ball movement characteristics are measured or determined by a beam interruption system, which includes a selection from the following features;
 a) changes are detected when a beam is obscured or partly obscured; 
 b) beams are flat, with thickness much less than their width; 
 c) beams are horizontally collimated; 
 d) beams have intensity increased near the edges and reduced near the center; 
 e) beams are returned along the same path by retroreflection; 
 f) beams are divided with a beam splitter; and 
 g) beams are laser beams and are transmitted through a laser lens which modifies the beam such that its vertical and horizontal divergences are matched to an aperture at a collimating lens. 
   
     
     
         93 . A method according to  claim 92 , which additionally includes one or more of the following steps:
 club movement characteristics are measured or determined by a beam interruption system where beams are laser beams and are transmitted by a selection from being retroreflected, and transmitted and reflected by a beam splitter and are sensed by a sensor means which includes a selection from the following features;
 a) beams are generated and disposed at or around near infrared wavelength; 
 b) beams are divided by an uneven beam splitter which reflects or transmits a greater proportion of returned light to the sensor means than the proportion of returned light transmitted or reflected back towards the laser; and 
 c) beams are generated non continuously by being momentarily switched on when the club and ball are in the region of the beams and switched off when not in the region of the beams; 
   wherein beams are momentarily switched when the club interrupts or triggers a pilot beam; which includes a selection from the following features;
 a) a pilot beam is disposed in the path of the club in the region where the club first enters the beams; 
 b) a pilot beam is disposed in a path where it is disrupted by the club before the club disrupts a club measuring beam; 
 c) a pilot beam is generated as a point beam; 
 d) changes in a pilot bean are detected using a single sensor; 
 e) a pilot beam is generated with an intensity within eye safety levels for continuous operation; and 
 f) two pilot beams are disposed, one parallel or near parallel to one of the first club measuring beams and the other pilot beam parallel or near parallel to the other of the first club measuring beams; 
   wherein the position of the ball is monitored by detection of changes in beams partly occluding the ball prior to impact;   the time of impact is detected by changes in beams occluding the ball, and an interpolating signal grey scale to increase resolution accuracy; and   measurements related to club movement characteristics and ball movement characteristics, are calibrated within a system software by measuring a selection from known precision positions or movements or objects, and correcting for differences between measured values and known values.   
     
     
         94 . A method according to  claim 92 , which additionally includes one or more of the following steps of taking:
 measurements related to club movement characteristics and ball movement characteristics that are calibrated within the system software by measuring a ball hit through the beams, and substantially travelling in a straight line and at constant speed, wherein
 a) club measurements are taken with club measuring beams and processed into relevant club data; 
 b) club data are used to determine positional references for the club at the club measuring beams, which are used to determine club speed and direction; 
 c) club speed and direction data are used to normalize club data; 
 d) club speed, club direction, club data and normalized club data, are used to determine club type and club face-direction-angle and, together with memorized or otherwise available information on club type, are also used to determine impact position on the club face; 
 e) ball measurements are taken at ball measuring beams and used to determine positional references for the ball at ball measuring beams, which are used to determine ball speed and direction; 
 f) club data and ball data determined from preceding steps, are used to determine ball spin characteristics; and 
   an artificial intelligence means, such as a neural network system, determines club type where the artificial intelligence means inputs include data related to measured club movement characteristics, the artificial intelligence means is trained with, a large set of club movement characteristics training inputs, and corresponding club type training outputs.   
     
     
         95 . An apparatus for carrying out a selection from determining and analyzing movement characteristics related to a specific golf swing where impact occurs between a club and a ball, the apparatus including a ball measurement means and a processor means, the ball measurement means is configured to directly measure, following impact, movement characteristics of the ball, from which 3D direction of motion of the bail can be determined, when said specific golf swing is executed; characterized in that;
 a) the apparatus is configured to determine movement characteristics related to the specific swing which include ball spin characteristics which comprise a selection from angle spin characteristics, and angle spin characteristics and off-center spin characteristics;   b) the apparatus is configured to determine angle spin characteristics which comprise rate of angle spin and 3D orientation of the axis of angle spin;   c) the apparatus is configured to determine ball spin characteristics without the need for addition or detection of surface or internal marks or markers on the ball;   d) the apparatus also includes a club measurement means which is configured to directly measure, before impact, movement characteristics of the club, from which 3D direction of motion of the club can be accurately determined, when said specific golf swing is executed;   e) the processor means is configured to determine 3D orientation of the axis of angle spin using said direct measurement which defines the 3D direction of motion of the club before impact, and said direct measurement which defines 3D direction of motion of the hall following impact; and   f) the processor means is configured to determine rate of angle spin using predetermined ball information available to the processor means instead of actual information on the ball used in the specific golf swing, together with a selection, from the following characteristics involving direct measurement when said specific golf swing is executed,
 3D direction of motion of the ball, 
 3D direction of motion of the club, 
 3D direction of motion of the ball, 
 magnitude of club speed where the club measurement means is configured to measure club speed, 
 magnitude of ball speed where the ball measurement means is configured to measure ball speed, and 
 3D face-direction-angle of the club 
   where the processor means is configured to determine the 3D face-direction-angle using movement characteristics measured by the club measurement means and ball measurement means.   
     
     
         96 . An apparatus according to  claim 95 , which additionally includes a selection from the following:
 the processor means is configured to analyze movement characteristics and to indicate causes of ball spin characteristics;   the club measurement means, ball measurement means and processing means are configured to measure, determine, and a selection from, analyze and interpret, spin characteristics, club movement characteristics and ball movement characteristics, without the aid of a human technician or expert;   the processor means is configured to determine ball spin characteristics by effective reconstruction of the impact event from measured club movement characteristics before impact and measured ball movement characteristics following impact;   the processor means is configured to determine spin characteristics by combining potentially duplicate information from measurements of club movement characteristics before impact in the specific swing and ball movement following impact in the specific swing, to create new information of a selection from greater accuracy or greater reliability related to ball spin characteristics;   the processor means is configured to use values of ball properties required in the determination of ball spin characteristics, based on predetermined standard properties, where properties used as standard properties do not significantly influence measurements of ball movement characteristics used in determining ball spin characteristics.   
     
     
         97 . An apparatus according to  claim 95 , which includes an artificial intelligence means which is configured to combine movement characteristics and which includes a selection from the following:
 the artificial intelligence means is configured to operate in association with the processor means which is an electronic processor;   the artificial intelligence means comprises a neural network system which is trained with training inputs, comprising measurements of club movement characteristics before impact and ball movement characteristics following impact, and training outputs comprising ball spin characteristics;   the processor means is configured to determine ball spin characteristics from measured club movement characteristics before impact, ball movement characteristics following impact, and combined data from the artificial intelligence means;   the processor means is configured to use a selection from determining ball spin characteristics from predetermined ball data and the artificial intelligence means using predetermined ball data;   the processor means is configured to determine ball spin characteristics from a selection from; measured club movement characteristics, further club information which is determined from measured club information and combined data from the artificial intelligence means; and   the processor means is configured to analyze the swing.   
     
     
         98 . An apparatus according to  claim 95 , which includes a selection from the following:
 the processor means is configured to also use a selection from measured ball movement characteristics and measured club movement characteristics and further club information which is determined from measured club information and combined data from the artificial intelligence means when analyzing the swing;   the processor means is configured to use values of ball properties required in the determination of ball spin characteristics, based on predetermined standard properties and wherein properties used as standard properties do not significantly influence measurements of ball movement characteristics used in determining ball spin characteristics;   the processor means is configured to use predetermined ball data when analyzing the swing;   the processor means is configured to determine a component of angle spin, such as side spin, by determining spin characteristics which would apply if off-center spin was not present or not accounted;   the processor means is configured to determine a selection from angle spin rate data, and angle spin axis data which would have occurred if off-center spin had not been present, and off-center spin data from measured club movement characteristics and measured ball movement characteristics;   the processor means is configured to also use data combined from ball and club data using artificial intelligence in the determination;   the processor means is configured to determine angle spin component data from angle spin rate data and angle spin axis data which would have occurred if off-center spin had not been present;   the processor means is configured to determine spin data from angle spin rate data and angle spin component data and off-center spin data; and   the processor means is also configured to use predetermined ball data in the determination.   
     
     
         99 . An apparatus according to  claim 95 , which additionally includes a selection from the following:
 the processor means is configured to determine angle spin characteristics from measurements which include club velocity and club face direction before impact, and a constant value which is predetermined by trial for given club and ball conditions;   the processor means is configured to determine clubhead mass from club movement characteristics measured before impact, and hall movement characteristics and club movement characteristics measured after impact;   the processor means is configured to determine club face direction angle from a mathematical relationship, such as a second order polynomial, established by trial where the variable is ball direction angle;   the processor means is configured to determine spin data from measurements which include the club velocity vector before impact and ball velocity vector following impact;   the processor means is configured to determine angle spin data from measurements which include the club velocity vector before impact, ball velocity vector following impact, and club face direction before impact; and   the processor means is configured to determine off-center spin data from measurements which include the club velocity vector before impact, ball velocity vector following impact, and impact position on the clubface.   
     
     
         100 . An apparatus, according to  claim 95 , which additionally includes a selection from the following:
 a selection from the ball measurement means and the club measurement means comprise a selection from a high-speed camera system, a radar detection system, and a beam interruption system;   the apparatus is operable to stereoscopically capture images of a selection of the club and ball at different angles at high speed;   a selection from the club measurement means and processing means are configured to measure or determine the angle of the club shaft and use it as a measurement in determining movement characteristics of the club;   the club measurement means comprises a beam interruption system, which includes a beam generation means and a detection means which are operable to execute a selection of the following tasks;
 a) dispose a plurality of beams in the path of the club; 
 b) dispose at least three club measurement beams in the path of the club; 
 c) where accuracy is important, dispose at least four club measurement beams in the path of the club; and 
 d) dispose club measurement beams at different angles; 
   the ball measurement means comprises a beam interruption system, which includes a beam generation means and a detection means which are operable to execute a selection of the following tasks;
 a) dispose a plurality of beams in the path of the ball; 
 b) dispose at least two ball measurement beams in the path of the ball; 
 c) where increased accuracy is required, dispose at least four ball measurement beams in the path of the ball; 
 d) where increased accuracy is required, and where shots vary significantly in loft angle, dispose at least six ball measurement beams in the path of the ball; and 
 e) dispose ball measurement beams at different angles; and 
   a selection from the ball measurement means and the club measurement means comprises a beam interruption system, which includes a beam generation means and a detection means which are operable to execute a selection of the following tasks;
 a) detect changes when a beam is obscured or partly obscured; 
 b) generate beams which are flat, with a thickness much less than their width; 
 c) generate beams which are horizontally collimated using a collimating lens; 
 d) generate beams which have intensity increased near the edges and reduced near the center; 
 e) return beams along the same path using retroreflector means; 
 f) divide beams using beam splitter means; and 
 g) comprises a laser lens which modifies a laser beam such that its vertical and horizontal divergences are matched to an aperture at a collimating lens. 
   
     
     
         101 . An apparatus according to  claim 100 , which additionally includes a selection from the following:
 the club measurement means comprises a beam interruption system which includes a laser beam generation means, a detection means which includes a sensor means, a selection from a retroreflection means and a beam splitter means, which are operable to execute a selection of the following tasks or activities;
 a) generate and dispose beams at or around near infrared wavelength; 
 b) divide beams with an uneven beam splitter which reflects or transmits a greater proportion of returned light to the sensor means than the proportion of returned light which is transmitted or reflected towards the laser; and 
 c) generate beams non continuously by momentarily switching on beams when the club and ball are in the region of the beams and switching off beams when not in the region of the beams; 
   wherein beams are momentarily switched, wherein the apparatus is configured to execute a selection of the following tasks or activities;
 a) dispose one or more pilot beams in the path of the club in the region where the club first enters the beams; 
 b) dispose a pilot beam in a path where it is disrupted by the club before the club disrupts a club measuring beam; 
 c) generate a pilot beam which comprises a point beam: 
 d) detect changes in a pilot beam using a single sensor; 
 e) generate a pilot beam with an intensity within eye safety levels for continuous operation; and 
 f) dispose two pilot beams, one parallel or near parallel to one of the first club measuring beams and the other pilot beam parallel or near parallel to the other of the first dub measuring beams; 
   beams are disposed which partly occlude the ball prior to impact, whereby the processor means is configured to monitor the ball prior to impact by detecting changes in these beams; and   the processing means is configured to determine the time of impact by detecting changes in beams occluding the ball, and is configured to interpolate signal grey scale to increase resolution accuracy.   
     
     
         102 . An apparatus according to  claim 100 , which additionally includes a selection from the following:
 the processor means is configured to calibrate a selection from the club measurement means and ball measurement means within the system software, by measuring known precision positions or movements or objects, and correcting for differences between measured values and known values;   the processor means is configured to calibrate a selection from the club measurement means and ball measurement means within the system software, by measuring a ball hit through the beams, and substantially travelling in a straight line and at constant speed;   the apparatus is configured to execute the following steps;
 a) obtain club measurements at club measuring beams and process them into relevant club data; 
 b) use club data to determine positional references for the club at club measuring beams, and use them to determine club speed and direction; 
 c) use club speed and direction data to normalize club data; 
 d) use club speed, club direction, club data and normalized club data, to determine club type and club face-direction-angle, together with memorized or otherwise available information on the club type, to determine impact position on the club face; 
 e) obtain ball measurements at ball measuring beams and determine positional references for the ball at ball measuring beams, and use these to determine ball speed and direction; and 
 f) use club data and ball data determined from preceding steps, to determine ball spin characteristics; and 
   the processor means comprises an artificial intelligence means, such as a neural network system, that is configured to determine club type where the artificial intelligence means inputs include data related to measured club movement characteristics, where the artificial intelligence means is trained with a large set of club movement characteristics training inputs and corresponding club type training outputs.