Method and apparatus for producing an instructional video analyzing a golf swing

Claim 1

An apparatus for producing an instructional video from a videotape of a golfer swinging a golf club, comprising: means for converting video images from a videotape of a golfer's swing into a plurality of still images representing predetermined phases of the golfer's swing; a display screen for displaying said still images; a correction picture output section for outputting a video image corresponding to each of said still images, each said correction picture comprising an arrangement of lines, said arrangement of lines corresponding to geometric relationships between at least two reference points, wherein said at least two reference points include a first body part of said golfer and at least one of: a second body part of the golfer which is not immediately adjacent said first body part, and a part of the golf club which is not immediately adjacent said first body part; and further wherein said arrangement of lines includes one of: a straight line directly connecting said two reference points, and an ellipse having an axis defined by a spacing between aid two reference points; overlying means for overlying each of said still images over its corresponding correction picture to produce a resultant picture; and means for recording said resultant picture; wherein one of said still images is a side view of the golfer addressing a golf ball, with the corresponding correction picture including a line directly connecting a shoulder position of the golfer with a club head position.

Claim 2

An apparatus for producing an instructional video from a videotape of a golfer swinging a golf club, comprising: means for converting video images from a videotape of a golfer's swing into a plurality of still images representing predetermined phases of the golfer's swing; a display screen for displaying said still images; a correction picture output section for outputting a video image corresponding to each of said still images, each said correction picture comprising an arrangement of lines, said arrangement of lines corresponding to geometric relationships between at least two reference points, wherein said at least two reference points include a first body part of said golfer and at least one of: a second body part of the golfer which is not immediately adjacent said first body part, and a part of the golf club which is not immediately adjacent said first body part; and further wherein said arrangement of lines includes one of: a straight line directly connecting said two reference points, and an ellipse having an axis defined by a spacing between aid two reference points; overlying means for overlying each of said still images over its corresponding correction picture to produce a resultant picture; and means for recording said resultant picture; wherein one of said still images is a side view of the golfer addressing a golf ball, with the corresponding correction picture including a line directly connecting a shoulder position of the golfer with a club head position.

Claim 7

An apparatus for producing an instructional video from a videotape of a golfer swinging a golf club, comprising: means for converting video images from a videotape of a golfer's swing into a plurality of still images representing predetermined phases of the golfer's swing; a display screen for displaying said still images; a correction picture output section for outputting a video image corresponding to each of said still images, each said correction picture comprising an arrangement of lines, said arrangement of lines corresponding to geometric relationships between at least two reference points, wherein said at least two reference points include a first body part of said golfer and at least one of: a second body part of the golfer which is not immediately adjacent said first body part, and a part of the golf club which is not immediately adjacent said first body part; and further wherein said arrangement of lines includes one of: a straight line directly connecting said two reference points, and an ellipse having an axis defined by a spacing between said two reference points; overlying means for overlying each of said still images over its corresponding correction picture to produce a resultant picture; and means for recording said resultant picture; wherein one of said still images is a side view of the golfer with a club head at a top position of a backswing, the corresponding correction picture including a first line extending directly from a golfer's gripped hands position toward a shoulder position, a swing axial line drawn substantially perpendicular to said first line, a second line extending in parallel with said swing axial line, and a third line directly connecting elbow positions of the golfer.

Claim 8

An apparatus for producing an instructional video from a videotape of a golfer swinging a golf club, comprising: means for converting video images from a videotape of a golfer's swing into a plurality of still images representing predetermined phases of the golfer's swing; a display screen for displaying said still images; a correction picture output section for outputting a video image corresponding to each of said still images, each said correction picture comprising an arrangement of lines, said arrangement of lines corresponding to geometric relationships between at least two reference points, wherein said at least two reference points include a first body part of said golfer and at least one of: a second body part of the golfer which is not immediately adjacent said first body part, and a part of the golf club which is not immediately adjacent said first body part; and further wherein said arrangement of lines includes one of: a straight line directly connecting said two reference points, and an ellipse having an axis defined by a spacing between said two reference points; overlying means for overlying each of said still images over its corresponding correction picture to produce a resultant picture; and means for recording said resultant picture; wherein one of said still images is a side view of the golfer with a club head at a top position of a backswing, the corresponding correction picture including a first line extending directly from a golfer's gripped hands position toward a shoulder position, a swing axial line drawn substantially perpendicular to said first line, a second line extending in parallel with said swing axial line, and a third line directly connecting elbow positions of the golfer.

Claim 10

An apparatus for producing an instructional video from a videotape of a golfer swinging a golf club, comprising: means for converting video images from a videotape of a golfer's swing into a plurality of still images representing predetermined phases of the golfer's swing; a display screen for displaying said still images; a correction picture output section for outputting a video image corresponding to each of said still images, each said correction picture comprising an arrangement of lines, said arrangement of lines corresponding to geometric relationships between at least two reference points, wherein said at least two reference points include a first body part of said golfer and at least one of: a second body part of the golfer which is not immediately adjacent said first body part, and a part of the golf club which is not immediately adjacent said first body part; and further wherein said arrangement of lines includes one of: a straight line directly connecting said two reference points, and an ellipse having an axis defined by a spacing between said two reference points; overlying means for overlying each of said still images over its corresponding correcting picture to produce a resultant picture; and means for recording said resultant picture; wherein one of said still images is a front view of the golfer with the club head at a top position of a backswing, the corresponding correction picture including an upper ellipse formed with a long axis defined by a width spacing between opposed elbow positions of the golfer, a lower ellipse displayed with a long axis defined by a spacing between opposed knee positions of the golfer, and first and second parallel lines joining said upper ellipse with said lower ellipse.

Claim 11

An apparatus for producing an instructional video from a videotape of a golfer swinging a golf club, comprising: means for converting video images from a videotape of a golfer's swing into a plurality of still images representing predetermined phases of the golfer's swing; a display screen for displaying said still images; a correction picture output section for outputting a video image corresponding to each of said still images, each said correction picture comprising an arrangement of lines, said arrangement of lines corresponding to geometric relationships between at least two reference points, wherein said at least two reference points include a first body part of said golfer and at least one of: a second body part of the golfer which is not immediately adjacent said first body part, and a part of the golf club which is not immediately adjacent said first body part; and further wherein said arrangement of lines includes one of: a straight line directly connecting said two reference points, and an ellipse having an axis defined by a spacing between said two reference points; overlying means for overlying each of said still images over its corresponding correcting picture to produce a resultant picture; and means for recording said resultant picture; wherein one of said still images is a front view of the golfer with the club head at a top position of a backswing, the corresponding correction picture including an upper ellipse formed with a long axis defined by a width spacing between opposed elbow positions of the golfer, a lower ellipse displayed with a long axis defined by a spacing between opposed knee positions of the golfer, and first and second parallel lines joining said upper ellipse with said lower ellipse.

Claim 13

An apparatus for producing an instructional video from a videotape of a golfer swinging a golf club, comprising: means for converting video images from a videotape of a golfer's swing into a plurality of still images representing predetermined phases of the golfer's swing; a display screen for displaying said still images; a correction picture output section for outputting a video image corresponding to each of said still images, each said correction picture comprising an arrangement of lines, said arrangement of lines corresponding to geometric relationships between at least two reference points, wherein said at least two reference points include a first body part of said golfer and at least one of: a second body part of the golfer which is not immediately adjacent said first body part, and a part of the golf club which is not immediately adjacent said first body part; and further wherein said arrangement of lines includes one of: a straight line directly connecting said two reference points, and an ellipse having an axis defined by a spacing between said two reference points; overlying means for overlying each of said still images over its corresponding correction picture to produce a resultant picture; and means for recording said resultant picture; wherein one of said still images is a side view of the golfer impacting a golf ball with the club, the corresponding correction picture including a first line directly extending from a shoulder position to a club head position and a second line directly connecting a top end of a sirloin position of the golfer with a protruding knee position.

Claim 14

An apparatus for producing an instructional video from a videotape of a golfer swinging a golf club, comprising: means for converting video images from a videotape of a golfer's swing into a plurality of still images representing predetermined phases of the golfer's swing; a display screen for displaying said still images; a correction picture output section for outputting a video image corresponding to each of said still images, each said correction picture comprising an arrangement of lines, said arrangement of lines corresponding to geometric relationships between at least two reference points, wherein said at least two reference points include a first body part of said golfer and at least one of: a second body part of the golfer which is not immediately adjacent said first body part, and a part of the golf club which is not immediately adjacent said first body part; and further wherein said arrangement of lines includes one of: a straight line directly connecting said two reference points, and an ellipse having an axis defined by a spacing between said two reference points; overlying means for overlying each of said still images over its corresponding correction picture to produce a resultant picture; and means for recording said resultant picture; wherein one of said still images is a side view of the golfer impacting a golf ball with the club, the corresponding correction picture including a first line directly extending from a shoulder position to a club head position and a second line directly connecting a top end of a sirloin position of the golfer with a protruding knee position.

Claim 16

A method of analyzing a golfer's swing motion, comprising the steps of: video taping a golfer's stance and swing; converting video images of the golfer to a plurality of still images on a computer display screen; generating a correction picture corresponding to each of said still images, each said correction picture comprising an arrangement of lines, said arrangement of lines corresponding to geometric relationships between at least two reference points, with said at least two reference points including a first body part of said golfer and at least one of: a second body part of the golfer which is not immediately adjacent said first body part, and a part of a golf club which is not immediately adjacent said first body part; and further wherein said step of providing a correction picture with an arrangement of lines includes providing one of a straight line directly connecting said two reference points, and an ellipse having an axis defined by a spacing between said two reference points; overlying each of said still images over its corresponding correction picture to form a resultant picture; and recording the resultant picture; wherein one of said still images is a side view of the golfer addressing a golf ball, and wherein the correction picture corresponding to said view includes a line directly connecting a shoulder position of the golfer with a club head position.

Claim 17

A method of analyzing a golfer's swing motion, comprising the steps of: video taping a golfer's stance and swing; converting video images of the golfer to a plurality of still images on a computer display screen; generating a correction picture corresponding to each of said still images, each said correction picture comprising an arrangement of lines, said arrangement of lines corresponding to geometric relationships between at least two reference points, with said at least two reference points including a first body part of said golfer and at least one of: a second body part of the golfer which is not immediately adjacent said first body part, and a part of a golf club which is not immediately adjacent said first body part; and further wherein said step of providing a correction picture with an arrangement of lines includes providing one of a straight line directly connecting said two reference points, and an ellipse having an axis defined by a spacing between said two reference points; overlying each of said still images over its corresponding correction picture to form a resultant picture; and recording the resultant picture; wherein one of said still images is a side view of the golfer addressing a golf ball, and wherein the correction picture corresponding to said view includes a line directly connecting a shoulder position of the golfer with a club head position.

Claim 21

A method of analyzing a golfer's swing motion, comprising the steps of: video taping a golfer's stance and swing; converting video images of the golfer to a plurality of still images on a computer display screen; generating a correction picture corresponding to each of said still images, each said correction picture comprising an arrangement of lines, said arrangement of lines corresponding to geometric relationships between at least two reference points, with said at least two reference points including a first body part of said golfer and at least one of: a second body part of the golfer which is not immediately adjacent said first body part, and a part of a golf club which is not immediately adjacent said first body part; and further wherein said step of providing a correction picture with an arrangement of lines includes providing one of a straight line directly connecting said two reference points, and an ellipse having an axis defined by a spacing between said two reference points; overlying each of said still images over its corresponding correction picture to form a resultant picture; and recording the resultant picture; wherein one of said still images is a side view of the golfer addressing a golf ball, and wherein the correction picture corresponding to said view includes a line directly connecting a shoulder position of the golfer with a club head position, further comprising the step of: determining whether or not said line forms an angle between 10 and 20 degrees with the club shaft.

Claim 22

A method of analyzing a golfer's swing motion, comprising the steps of: video taping a golfer's stance and swing; converting video images of the golfer to a plurality of still images on a computer display screen; generating a correction picture corresponding to each of said still images, each said correction picture comprising an arrangement of lines, said arrangement of lines corresponding to geometric relationships between at least two reference points, with said at least two reference points including a first body part of said golfer and at least one of: a second body part of the golfer which is not immediately adjacent said first body part, and a part of a golf club which is not immediately adjacent said first body part; and further wherein said step of providing a correction picture with an arrangement of lines includes providing one of a straight line directly connecting said two reference points, and an ellipse having an axis defined by a spacing between said two reference points; overlying each of said still images over its corresponding correction picture to form a resultant picture; and recording the resultant picture; wherein one of said still images is a side view of the golfer addressing a golf ball, and wherein the correction picture corresponding to said view includes a line directly connecting a shoulder position of the golfer with a club head position, further comprising the step of: determining whether or not said line forms an angle between 10 and 20 degrees with the club shaft.

Claim 23

A method of analyzing a golfer's swing motion, comprising the steps of: video taping a golfer's stance and swing; converting video images of the golfer to a plurality of still images on a computer display screen; generating a correction picture corresponding to each of said still images, each said correction picture comprising an arrangement of lines, said arrangement of lines corresponding to geometric relationships between at least two reference points, with said at least two reference points including a first body part of said golfer and at least one of: a second body part of the golfer which is not immediately adjacent said first body part, and a part of a golf club which is not immediately adjacent said first body part; and further wherein said step of providing a correction picture with an arrangement of lines includes providing one of a straight line directly connecting said two reference points, and an ellipse having an axis defined by a spacing between said two reference points; overlying each of said still images over its corresponding correction picture to form a resultant picture; and recording the resultant picture; wherein one of said still images is a side view of the golfer with a club head at a top position of a backswing, the corresponding correction picture including a triangle having an apex defined by a golfer's hands position and a base defined by a line joining a golfer's elbow positions.

Claim 24

A method of analyzing a golfer's swing motion, comprising the steps of: video taping a golfer's stance and swing; converting video images of the golfer to a plurality of still images on a computer display screen; generating a correction picture corresponding to each of said still images, each said correction picture comprising an arrangement of lines, said arrangement of lines corresponding to geometric relationships between at least two reference points, with said at least two reference points including a first body part of said golfer and at least one of: a second body part of the golfer which is not immediately adjacent said first body part, and a part of a golf club which is not immediately adjacent said first body part; and further wherein said step of providing a correction picture with an arrangement of lines includes providing one of a straight line directly connecting said two reference points, and an ellipse having an axis defined by a spacing between said two reference points; overlying each of said still images over its corresponding correction picture to form a resultant picture; and recording the resultant picture; wherein one of said still images is a side view of the golfer with a club head at a top position of a backswing, the corresponding correction picture including a triangle having an apex defined by a golfer's hands position and a base defined by a line joining a golfer's elbow positions.

Claim 25

A method of analyzing a golfer's swing motion, comprising the steps of: video taping a golfer's stance and swing; converting video images of the golfer to a plurality of still images on a computer display screen; generating a correction picture corresponding to each of said still images, each said correction picture comprising an arrangement of lines, said arrangement of lines corresponding to geometric relationships between at least two reference points, with said at least two reference points including a first body part of said golfer and at least one of: a second body part of the golfer which is not immediately adjacent said first body part, and part of a golf club which is not immediately adjacent said first body part; and further wherein said step of providing a correction picture with an arrangement of lines includes providing one of a straight line directly connecting said two reference points, and an ellipse having an axis defined by a spacing between said two reference points; overlying each of said still images over its corresponding correction picture to form a resultant picture; and recording the resultant picture; wherein one of said still images is a front view of the golfer with a club head at a top position of a backswing, said corresponding correction picture including an upper ellipse formed with a long axis defined by a width spacing between opposed elbow positions of the golfer, a lower ellipse displayed with a long axis defined by a spacing between opposed knee positions of the golfer, and first and second parallel lines joining said upper ellipse with said lower ellipse.

Claim 26

A method of analyzing a golfer's swing motion, comprising the steps of: video taping a golfer's stance and swing; converting video images of the golfer to a plurality of still images on a computer display screen; generating a correction picture corresponding to each of said still images, each said correction picture comprising an arrangement of lines, said arrangement of lines corresponding to geometric relationships between at least two reference points, with said at least two reference points including a first body part of said golfer and at least one of: a second body part of the golfer which is not immediately adjacent said first body part, and part of a golf club which is not immediately adjacent said first body part; and further wherein said step of providing a correction picture with an arrangement of lines includes providing one of a straight line directly connecting said two reference points, and an ellipse having an axis defined by a spacing between said two reference points; overlying each of said still images over its corresponding correction picture to form a resultant picture; and recording the resultant picture; wherein one of said still images is a front view of the golfer with a club head at a top position of a backswing, said corresponding correction picture including an upper ellipse formed with a long axis defined by a width spacing between opposed elbow positions of the golfer, a lower ellipse displayed with a long axis defined by a spacing between opposed knee positions of the golfer, and first and second parallel lines joining said upper ellipse with said lower ellipse.

Claim 27

A method of analyzing a golfer's swing motion, comprising the steps of: video taping a golfer's stance and swing; converting video images of the golfer to a plurality of still images on a computer display screen; generating a correction picture corresponding to each of said still images, each said correction picture comprising an arrangement of lines, said arrangement of lines corresponding to geometric relationships between at least two reference points, with said at least two reference points including a first body part of said golfer and at least one of: a second body part of the golfer which is not immediately adjacent said first body part, and a part of a golf club which is not immediately adjacent said first body part; and further wherein said step of providing a correction picture with an arrangement of lines includes providing one of a straight line directly connecting said two reference points, and an ellipse having an axis defined by a spacing between said two reference points; overlying each of said still images over its corresponding correction picture to form a resultant picture; and recording the resultant picture; wherein one of said still images is a side view of the golfer impacting a golf ball with a club, the corresponding correction picture including a first line directly extending from a shoulder position to a club head position and a second line directly connecting a top end of a sirloin position of the golfer with a protruding knee position.

Claim 28

A method of analyzing a golfer's swing motion, comprising the steps of: video taping a golfer's stance and swing; converting video images of the golfer to a plurality of still images on a computer display screen; generating a correction picture corresponding to each of said still images, each said correction picture comprising an arrangement of lines, said arrangement of lines corresponding to geometric relationships between at least two reference points, with said at least two reference points including a first body part of said golfer and at least one of: a second body part of the golfer which is not immediately adjacent said first body part, and a part of a golf club which is not immediately adjacent said first body part; and further wherein said step of providing a correction picture with an arrangement of lines includes providing one of a straight line directly connecting said two reference points, and an ellipse having an axis defined by a spacing between said two reference points; overlying each of said still images over its corresponding correction picture to form a resultant picture; and recording the resultant picture; wherein one of said still images is a side view of the golfer impacting a golf ball with a club, the corresponding correction picture including a first line directly extending from a shoulder position to a club head position and a second line directly connecting a top end of a sirloin position of the golfer with a protruding knee position.

Claim 29

An apparatus for producing an instructional video from a videotape of a golfer swinging a golf club, comprising: means for converting video images from a videotape of a golfer's swing into a plurality of still images representing predetermined phases of the golfer's swing; a display screen for displaying said still images; a correction picture output section for outputting a video image corresponding to each of said still images, each said correction picture comprising an arrangement of lines; overlying means for overlying each of said still images over its corresponding correction picture to produce a resultant picture; and means for recording said resultant picture; wherein said arrangement of lines includes: (a) a line directly connecting a shoulder position of the golfer with a club head position; (b) a first line extending directly from a golfer's gripped hands position to a first elbow position, a second line extending directly from the gripped hands position to a second elbow position, and a third line directly connecting said first and second elbow positions of the golfer; (c) an upper ellipse formed with a long axis defined by a width spacing between opposed elbow positions of the golfer, and a lower ellipse displayed with a long axis defined by a spacing between opposed knee positions of the golfer, and first and second parallel lines joining said upper ellipse with said lower ellipse; and (d) a fourth line directly extending from a left shoulder position to the club head position and a fifth line directly connecting a top end of a sirloin position of the golfer with a protruding knee position.

Claim 30

An apparatus for producing an instructional video from a videotape of a golfer swinging a golf club, comprising: means for converting video images from a videotape of a golfer's swing into a plurality of still images representing predetermined phases of the golfer's swing; a display screen for displaying said still images; a correction picture output section for outputting a video image corresponding to each of said still images, each said correction picture comprising an arrangement of lines; overlying means for overlying each of said still images over its corresponding correction picture to produce a resultant picture; and means for recording said resultant picture; wherein said arrangement of lines includes: (a) a line directly connecting a shoulder position of the golfer with a club head position; (b) a first line extending directly from a golfer's gripped hands position to a first elbow position, a second line extending directly from the gripped hands position to a second elbow position, and a third line directly connecting said first and second elbow positions of the golfer; (c) an upper ellipse formed with a long axis defined by a width spacing between opposed elbow positions of the golfer, and a lower ellipse displayed with a long axis defined by a spacing between opposed knee positions of the golfer, and first and second parallel lines joining said upper ellipse with said lower ellipse; and (d) a fourth line directly extending from a left shoulder position to the club head position and a fifth line directly connecting a top end of a sirloin position of the golfer with a protruding knee position.