Measuring tool for assessing golf ball alignment

Abstract

An alignment measuring tool has a computing device having at least one processor and at least one memory, a camera configured to capture images of a surface within a field of view, and a support structure configured to support the computing device and the camera in a stationary position. The support structure has a plurality of support walls forming a perimeter of an open bottom side of the support structure, wherein the plurality of support walls are configured to rest on the surface to enclose the field of view of the camera to an area of the surface. The support structure also has a calibration feature configured to provide feedback on a position of the camera relative to an area outside of the field of view of the camera.

1 . An alignment measuring tool, comprising:
 a computing device comprising at least one processor and at least one memory;   a camera configured to capture images of a surface within a field of view;   a support structure configured to support the computing device and the camera in a stationary position, the support structure comprising:
 a plurality of support walls forming a perimeter of an open bottom side of the support structure, wherein the plurality of support walls are configured to rest on the surface to enclose the field of view of the camera to an area of the surface, and 
 a calibration feature configured to provide feedback on a position of the camera relative to an area outside of the field of view of the camera. 
   
     
     
         2 . The alignment measuring tool of  claim 1 , wherein the camera is integrated with the computing device. 
     
     
         3 . The alignment measuring tool of  claim 2 , wherein the computing device is a mobile device comprising at least one of a tablet or mobile phone. 
     
     
         4 . The alignment measuring tool of  claim 3 , wherein the computing device and camera are removable from the support structure. 
     
     
         5 . The alignment measuring tool of  claim 4 , wherein the support structure further comprises an open top side, wherein the computing device is configured to rest at the open top side with the camera facing toward the bottom side. 
     
     
         6 . The alignment measuring tool of  claim 5 , wherein the support structure further comprises a support cradle for supporting the mobile device. 
     
     
         7 . The alignment measuring tool of  claim 6 , wherein the support cradle comprises a perimeter ledge and the computing device is configured to rest on the perimeter ledge and close the open top side of the support structure. 
     
     
         8 . The alignment measuring tool of  claim 5 , further comprising a user interface integrated with the computing device, the user interface facing away from the support structure when the computing device is resting on the support structure. 
     
     
         9 . The alignment measuring tool of  claim 8 , wherein the computing device comprises a display configured to present the user interface. 
     
     
         10 . The alignment measuring tool of  claim 1 , wherein the camera is configured with a vertical field of view of 2-4 inches. 
     
     
         11 . The alignment measuring tool of  claim 1 , wherein the calibration feature comprises one or more positional markers connected to the plurality of support walls. 
     
     
         12 . The alignment measuring tool of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more positional markers each comprise a first component configured to be securely connected to the surface and a second component connected to the support structure. 
     
     
         13 . The alignment measuring tool of  claim 12 , wherein the first component comprises a connector configured to mate with a corresponding connector of the second component. 
     
     
         14 . The alignment measuring tool of  claim 13 , wherein the first component is configured to be embedded flush with the surface. 
     
     
         15 . The alignment measuring tool of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises handles for picking up the alignment measuring tool. 
     
     
         16 . The alignment measuring tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a flash inside the support structure configured to control light exposure of the camera. 
     
     
         17 . An alignment measuring tool, comprising:
 a computing device comprising at least one processor and at least one memory;   a camera configured to capture images of a surface within a field of view,   a support structure configured to support the computing device and the camera in a stationary position, the support structure being spaced from the field of view of the camera to allow a golfer to place a golf ball on the surface within the field of view without hindrance by the support structure.   
     
     
         18 . The alignment measuring tool of  claim 17 , wherein the camera is configured with a vertical field of view of 2-4 inches. 
     
     
         19 . The alignment measuring tool of  claim 17 , further comprising an enclosure configured to be placed on the surface spaced from the camera and the support structure, the enclosure comprising an opening providing an aperture for the camera to capture images of the surface within the enclosure. 
     
     
         20 . The alignment measuring tool of  claim 17 , further comprising a calibration line configured to connect a point within the field of view of the camera to a target point outside of the field of view of the camera.