US5471383A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Monitoring systems to measure and display flight characteristics of moving sports object
Assignee: Acushnet Co
•
Filing: 1994-09-30
•
Granted: 1995-11-28
•
Expires: 2014-09-30
Abstract
Abstract A sports object flight monitoring system including at least one shutterable camera units each of which units receive light patterns from each and every one of a plurality of contrasting areas or markers on the object in rapid successive sequence. A computer receives the signals generated by the light patterns as received by each camera unit to determine the flight characteristics of the object.
Inventors
- 👤 William Gobush
- 👤 Diane Pelletier
- 👤 Charles Days
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 04:03
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B24/00; A63B24/0021; A63B24/0003; A63B69/00; A63B69/0024; A63B69/0026; A63B69/36; A63B69/3658; G; G01; G01P; G01P3/00; G01P3/36; G01P3/38; G01S; G01S11/00; G01S11/12; G01S17/00; G01S17/02; G01S17/50; G01S17/66; A63B2024/0028; A63B2024/0031; A63B2024/0034; A63B2102/00; A63B2102/32; A63B2220/00; A63B2220/05; A63B2220/30; A63B2220/34; A63B2220/35; A63B2220/80; A63B2220/806; A63B2220/807; A63B2220/808; A63B2225/00; A63B2225/74; A63B2243/00; A63B2243/0066; A63B2243/007; A63B43/00; A63B43/008; A63B43/06; A63B69/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
A system for monitoring the initial portion of the flight of an object through a field of view comprising: (a) a support means for the object; (b) a portable housing including at least two cameras in fixed relationship in such housing; (c) a first camera unit in such housing having a light sensitive panel, said first camera unit being focused on the field of view through which the object passes during the initial portion of its flight; (d) a second camera unit in such housing having a light sensitive panel focused on the field of view; (e) means for shuttering or gating the camera units at least twice as the object passes through the field of view; (f) three or more contrasting areas on the object positioned so that light emitting from such areas reaches such light sensitive panels to form light patterns thereon and create an analog image signal when the camera shutters are open; and (g) computer means in or near such portable housing for receiving and processing such analog signals to determine the path of the object, its speed and spin during such initial portion of flight.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
190 words
A system for monitoring the initial portion of the flight of an object through a field of view comprising: (a) a support means for the object; (b) a portable housing including at least two cameras in fixed relationship in such housing; (c) a first camera unit in such housing having a light sensitive panel, said first camera unit being focused on the field of view through which the object passes during the initial portion of its flight; (d) a second camera unit in such housing having a light sensitive panel focused on the field of view; (e) means for shuttering or gating the camera units at least twice as the object passes through the field of view; (f) three or more contrasting areas on the object positioned so that light emitting from such areas reaches such light sensitive panels to form light patterns thereon and create an analog image signal when the camera shutters are open; and (g) computer means in or near such portable housing for receiving and processing such analog signals to determine the path of the object, its speed and spin during such initial portion of flight.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said three or more contrasting areas includes six dots, one dot at a center location and the other five dots are at a longitude of 30° and at latitudes of 0°, 72°, 144°, 216° and 288°, respectively.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1 further including an acoustical sensor for sensing the striking of the object, said means for admitting light responsive to said acoustical sensor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said shuttering means includes a flash means for emitting two flashes of light onto the object.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said shuttering means includes means for controlling the time periods during which said light sensitive panels receive light from said object.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said shuttering means includes a ferroelectric liquid crystal shutter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 further including a calibration fixture having a plurality of contrasting areas each having a precisely predetermined location thereon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said first and second camera units include a CCD camera having a resolution of 510×240 pixels.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said three or more contrasting areas are round areas of reflective materials adhered to the surface of the object.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said three or more contrasting areas include corner-reflective retroflectors.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said three or more contrasting areas include painted spots of reflective material.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
181 words
An apparatus for measuring in a field the flight characteristics of a sports object passing through a field having a plurality of illuminable areas thereon comprising: (a) first and second spaced-apart electro-video units in a portable housing, each unit having a shutter focused on the object in the field; (b) measuring means in the electro-video units which recognize the position of calibrated illuminable areas in the field; (c) at least three light reflecting dot means on the object; (d) a plurality of flash lights for lighting the field; (e) control means for opening and closing each shutter and energizing each light such that a light illuminates the object in the field when the object is at a first position and when it is at a second position; (f) light receiving means in the electro-video unit for receiving light from the dot means when the object is at the first position and at the second position; and (g) computer means in or near the housing for comparing the calibrated dot positions at first position with the dot positions at the second position.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
181 words
An apparatus for measuring in a field the flight characteristics of a sports object passing through a field having a plurality of illuminable areas thereon comprising: (a) first and second spaced-apart electro-video units in a portable housing, each unit having a shutter focused on the object in the field; (b) measuring means in the electro-video units which recognize the position of calibrated illuminable areas in the field; (c) at least three light reflecting dot means on the object; (d) a plurality of flash lights for lighting the field; (e) control means for opening and closing each shutter and energizing each light such that a light illuminates the object in the field when the object is at a first position and when it is at a second position; (f) light receiving means in the electro-video unit for receiving light from the dot means when the object is at the first position and at the second position; and (g) computer means in or near the housing for comparing the calibrated dot positions at first position with the dot positions at the second position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said at least three light reflecting dot means includes six dots.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 13 wherein one dot is at a center location and the other five dots are at a longitude of 30° and at latitudes of 0°, 72°, 144°, 216° and 288°, respectively.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 12 further including an acoustical sensor for sensing the striking of the object, said control means for opening and closing responsive to said acoustical sensor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said control means for opening and closing includes means for controlling the time periods during which said light receiving means receives light from said object.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said control means for opening and closing includes a ferroelectric liquid crystal shutter.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 12 further including a calibration fixture having a plurality of contrasting areas each having a precisely predetermined location thereon.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 12 wherein light receiving means includes a CCD camera having a resolution of 754×244 pixels.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said at least three light reflecting dots means include corner-reflective retroflectors.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said at least three light reflecting dot means include painted spots of reflective material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 12 in which all means except the computer means and support means are located in the portable housing.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
165 words
A system for monitoring the initial portion of the flight of an object through a field of view comprising: (a) a support means for the object; (b) a portable housing including a camera unit in fixed relationship in such housing; (c) said camera unit in such housing having a light sensitive panel focused on the field of view through which the object passes during the initial portion of its flight; (d) means for shuttering or gating said camera unit at least twice as the object passes through the field of view; (e) three or more contrasting areas on the object positioned so that light emitting from such areas reaches each the light sensitive panel to form light patterns thereon and create an analog image signal when the camera shutter is open; and (f) computer means in or near such portable housing for receiving and processing such analog signals to determine the path of the object, its speed and spin during such initial portion of flight.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
165 words
A system for monitoring the initial portion of the flight of an object through a field of view comprising: (a) a support means for the object; (b) a portable housing including a camera unit in fixed relationship in such housing; (c) said camera unit in such housing having a light sensitive panel focused on the field of view through which the object passes during the initial portion of its flight; (d) means for shuttering or gating said camera unit at least twice as the object passes through the field of view; (e) three or more contrasting areas on the object positioned so that light emitting from such areas reaches each the light sensitive panel to form light patterns thereon and create an analog image signal when the camera shutter is open; and (f) computer means in or near such portable housing for receiving and processing such analog signals to determine the path of the object, its speed and spin during such initial portion of flight.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 23 wherein said three or more contrasting areas includes six dots, one dot at a center location and the other five dots are at a longitude of 37° and at latitudes of 0°, 72°, 144°, 216° and 288°, respectively.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 23 further including an acoustical sensor for sensing the striking of the object.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 23 wherein said shuttering means includes a flash means for emitting two flashes of light onto the object.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 23 wherein said shuttering means includes means for controlling the time periods during which said light sensitive panel receive light from said object.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 23 wherein said shuttering means includes a ferroelectric liquid crystal shutter.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 23 further including a calibration fixture having a plurality of contrasting areas each having a precisely predetermined location thereon.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 23 wherein said camera unit include a CCD camera having a resolution of 754×244 pixels.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 23 wherein said three or more contrasting areas are round areas of reflective materials adhered to the surface of the object.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 23 wherein said three or more contrasting areas include corner-reflective retroflectors.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 23 wherein said three or more contrasting areas include painted spots of reflective material.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
179 words
An apparatus for measuring in a field the flight characteristics of a sports object passing through a field having a plurality of illuminable areas thereon comprising: (a) at least one electro-video unit in a portable housing, each unit having a shutter focused on the object in the field; (b) calibrating means for calibrating illuminable areas on the object; (c) measuring means in each electro-video units which recognize the position of the calibrated illuminable areas in the field; (d) a plurality of flashing lights for lighting the field; (e) control means for opening and closing each shutter and energizing each flash light such that light illuminates the object in the field when the object is at a first position and when it is at a second position; (f) light receiving means in each electro-video unit for receiving light from the dot means when the object is at the first position and at the second position; and (g) computer means in or near the housing for comparing the calibrated illuminable areas at first position with such areas at the second position.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
179 words
An apparatus for measuring in a field the flight characteristics of a sports object passing through a field having a plurality of illuminable areas thereon comprising: (a) at least one electro-video unit in a portable housing, each unit having a shutter focused on the object in the field; (b) calibrating means for calibrating illuminable areas on the object; (c) measuring means in each electro-video units which recognize the position of the calibrated illuminable areas in the field; (d) a plurality of flashing lights for lighting the field; (e) control means for opening and closing each shutter and energizing each flash light such that light illuminates the object in the field when the object is at a first position and when it is at a second position; (f) light receiving means in each electro-video unit for receiving light from the dot means when the object is at the first position and at the second position; and (g) computer means in or near the housing for comparing the calibrated illuminable areas at first position with such areas at the second position.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 34 wherein the illuminable areas are six dots, one dot at a center location and the other five dots are at a longitude of 37° and at latitudes of 0°, 72°, 144°, 216° and 288°, respectively.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 34 further including an acoustical sensor for sensing the striking of the object.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 34 further including a calibration fixture having a plurality of contrasting areas each having a precisely predetermined location thereon.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 34 wherein said light receiving means includes a CCD camera having a resolution of 754×244 pixels.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 34 wherein said illuminable areas are round areas of reflective material adhered to the surface of the object.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 34 in which all means except the computer means and support means are located in the portable housing.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
130 words
A system for monitoring the initial portion of the flight of an object through a field of view comprising: (a) a camera having a light sensitive panel focused on the field of view through which the object passes during the initial portion of its flight; (b) means for lighting said object at least twice as the object passes through the field of view; (c) three or more illuminable markers on the object positioned so that light reflected from such markers reaches said light sensitive panel to form an image thereon, each of said illuminable marker having a precisely predetermined location on the object; and (d) computer means for processing said image on said light sensitive panel to determine the launch conditions of the object during the initial portion of flight.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
130 words
A system for monitoring the initial portion of the flight of an object through a field of view comprising: (a) a camera having a light sensitive panel focused on the field of view through which the object passes during the initial portion of its flight; (b) means for lighting said object at least twice as the object passes through the field of view; (c) three or more illuminable markers on the object positioned so that light reflected from such markers reaches said light sensitive panel to form an image thereon, each of said illuminable marker having a precisely predetermined location on the object; and (d) computer means for processing said image on said light sensitive panel to determine the launch conditions of the object during the initial portion of flight.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 41 wherein said three or more illuminable markers includes six dots, one dot at a center location and the other five dots are at a longitude of 37° and at latitudes of 0°, 72°, 144°, 216° and 288°, respectively.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 41 further including an acoustical sensor for sensing the striking of the object.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 41 wherein said camera is a CCD camera having a resolution of 754×244 pixels.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 41 wherein said illuminable markers are round areas of reflective material adhered to the surface of the object.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 41 further including a display means for displaying the projected flight of the object.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-11-27 | 1999-05-29 | 1999-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-11-27 | 2003-05-29 | 2003-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-11-27 | 2007-05-29 | 2007-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |