Monitoring systems to measure and display flight characteristics of moving sports objects

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.

Description: This invention relates to a system for monitoring the initial portion of the flight of an object through a field of view, said system being of the kind described in the preamble of claim 1. Ball monitoring devices for using multiple electro-sensors to determine the angle of launch, spin rate and speed of sports objects are old. See, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 4,063,259; 4,136,387; 4,160,942; and 4,158,853. A system of the kind described in the preamble of claim 1 is known from EP-A-0 554 978. Broadly, the known system comprises an object on which multiple reflective areas or contrasting areas are located which areas emit light to one or more cameras which receive a plurality of successive light patterns representing instances in the initial flight of the object. The light patterns received by the cameras are processed by a computer which compares known calibration light patterns with received signals from the object during flight to compute initial flight characteristics of the object. The calibration light patterns are obtained by using a calibration fixture which has a plurality of precisely located contrasting areas thereon. In order to calibrate the cameras, the cameras must first take images of the fixture with the contrasting areas thereon. The computer uses these images to calibrate the cameras. Then, the cameras can be used to take images of the object in flight, and determine various properties of the object in flight based on the images of the contrasting areas on the object. A system of the kind described in the preamble of claim 1 is also disclosed in EP-A-625 716 which is a document relevant only under Art. 54 (3) EPC. This system requires also a calibration fixture for calibration of the cameras. An object of the invention is to provide a system of the kind referred to, which permits ease of calibration without requiring a calibration fixture. According to the invention, this object is achieved by a system of the kind referred to, which system is characterized in that said portable housing includes only one camera unit in fixed relationship in such housing; said contrasting areas are positioned on the object with one contrasting area being at a center location and the other five contrasting areas being at a longitude of 37° and at latitudes of 0°, 72°, 144°, 216° and 288°, respectively, such that the light patterns are calibrated, and computer means is provided for comparing the known calibrated light patterns with received signals from the object during flight to compute initial flight characteristics of the object. A more complete understanding of the invention may be obtained by reading the following description in conjunction with the appended drawing in which like elements are labeled similarly and in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a system for monitoring the initial portion of flight of a golf ball according to the prior art; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a three-dimensional field showing a golf ball passing through the field from position A to position B; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a calibration fixture of a system of the prior art, said fixture carrying twenty illuminable areas; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the light receiving and sensory grid panel located in each camera; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a another system according to the prior art, said system using one camera; Fig. 6 is a schematic illustrating the trajectory of a ball hit by a driving machine; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention using one camera; Fig. 8 is a plan view of a ball having six illuminable markers; and Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating the optical system of the monitoring system of Fig. 7. Referring to Figs. 1-4, system 3 in Fig. 1 includes camera housing unit 4, computer 5, acoustical sensor 6 and teed golf ball 8. Camera unit 4 includes housing frame 11 and support feet 12a, 12b engageable with tracks 14, 16 so that unit 4 can be adjusted relative to teed ball 8. Camera unit 4 further includes two electro-optical spaced-apart cameras 18, 19, which cameras have light-receiving apertures 18a, 19a, shutters (not shown) and light sensitive silicon panels 18p, 19p (see Fig. 4). CCD cameras are preferred, but TV-type cameras are also useful. Turning to Fig. 2, golf ball 8 has dimples 8d and six (6) reflective spaced-apart round areas or dots 20a-f. Round dots 20a-f having diameters of one-tenth (1/10) to one-eighth (1/8) of an inch (25.4 mm) are preferred but other size and shaped areas can be used. Dots 20a-f are preferably made of reflective material which is adhered to the ball surface. The "Scotchlite" brand beaded material made by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing (3M) is preferred. Comer-reflective retroflectors may also be used. Alternatively, painted spots can be used that define contrasting areas. The number of dots or areas may be as few as three (3) up to six (6) or more, provided each dot or area reflects light in ball positions A and B capable of being receivable by camera 18, 19. Camera 18 is capable of receiving light from each and every dot 20a-f and camera 19 is likewise capable of receiving light from each and every dot 20a-f. The angle between lines A and B on Fig. 1 may be in the range of 10-30°, with 22° being preferable. Reflective materials as compared with the coated surface of a golf ball are as high as nine hundred (900), times brighter where the divergence angle between the beam of light striking the dots 20a-f and the beam of light from the dots 20a-f to the camera aperture is zero or close to zero. As the divergence angle increases, the ratio of brightness of dots 20a-f to the background (remaining ball surface) decreases. It will be appreciated that infrared lighting may be used to make the flash light invisible to the golfer. Adjacent to camera 18 are two flash lamps 21, 22 and adjacent to camera 19 are two additional flash lamps 23, 24. Lamps 21, 22, 23 and 24 are placed as close to the operative of camera 18, 19 as possible to minimize the divergence angle and this increases the ability of the cameras 18, 19 to receive light from dots 20a-f and distinguish that light from light received from other portions of the ball surface and other background light. Alternatively, gating or shuttering can be accomplished by controlling the periods of time in which the light sensitive panels 18p, 19p will receive light and be activated by such light. A camera in which shuttering or gating is accomplished by operation of the sensor panels is a gated charge intensified camera. In this alternative, the light source is always on with camera shutters always open, thus employing panels 18p, 19p to accomplish gating by gathering light only at two timed periods separated by 800 microseconds. A second alternative utilizes a ferroelectric liquid crystal shutter which opens and closes in 100 microseconds. In this alternative, a constant light source is used and shuttering occurs twice after the ball has been hit. In the operation of the system, the initial step is calibration of the cameras 18, 19. Cameras 18, 19 are calibrated to a coordinate system fixed in space. To accomplish this calibration, fixture 30 of Fig. 3 is physically located just ahead of where teed ball 8 will be placed. The fixture includes twenty (20) retro-dots 30a-t of 1/4" (6.35mm) in diameter. Fixture 30 defines the global coordinate system by its three dimensional structure. The location of fixture 30 and spacing of cameras 18, 19 from the fixture 30 or each other need not be precise since fixture 30 locates these when it determines the eleven constants for each camera 18, 19. The eleven constants determine the focal length, orientation and position of each camera 18, 19 given the premeasured points on fixture 30 and the twenty (20) U and V coordinates digitized on each camera's sensor panels 18p, 19p. Sensor panels 18p, 19p which receive a light pattern contain 240 lines of data and 510 pixels per line. The grid of Fig. 4 is merely illustrative in that it does not have 240 lines. A computer algorithm is used for centroid detection of each dot 20a-f. Centroid detection of a dot is the location of the center area of the dot for greater accuracy and resolution. Each image received from dots 20a-f results in an apparent X and Y center position. Where light is low in the field of vision due to gating, an image intensifier may be used in conjunction with the sensor panels. An image intensifier is a device which produces an output image brighter than the input image. The X, Y and Z coordinates of the center of each dot 30a-t were premeasured to accuracy of one of one-ten thousandth of an inch (25.4mm) on a digitizing table and stored in the computer. An image of calibration fixture 30 is taken by two cameras 18, 19. This image determines the eleven (11) constants relating image space coordinates U and V to the known twenty X, Y and Z positions on calibration fixture 30. The equations relating the calibrated X(i), Y(i), Z(i) spaced points with the U i (j) , V i (j) image points are: U i ( j ) = D 1 j X (i)+ D 2 j Y (i)+ D 3 j Z (i)+ D 4 j D 9 j X (i)+ D 10 j Y (i)+ D 11 j Z (i)+1 i=1,20 j=1,2 V j (j) = D 5 j X (i)+ D 6 j Y (i)+ D 7 j Z (i)+ D 8 j D 9 j X (i)+ D 10 j Y (i)+ D 11 j Z (i)+1 The eleven constants, D i1 (i = 1, 11) for camera 18 and the eleven constants, D i2 (i = 1, 11) for camera 19 are solved from knowing X(i), Y(i), Z(i) at the twenty (20) locations and the twenty (20) U i (j), V i (j) coordinates measured in the calibration photographs for the two cameras. With calibration completed, ball 8 which has been positioned about 30" (762 mm) from cameras 18 and 19 is struck and launched through three-dimensional field of view 35 (Fig. 2). Upon launch, the noise of striking is picked up by an acoustical sensor 6 which transmits a signal to open the shutter of camera 18 and camera 19 and to expose the image sensor panel in camera 18 and camera 19 to light from the six (6) ball dots. One hundred microseconds later, flash light 22 and light 23 fire a flash of light which illuminates the six (6) ball dots. Eight hundred (800) microseconds later flash light 24 and light 21 fire a flash of light to illuminate the six (6) ball dots which are about 4 to 6" (101.6 to 152.4 mm) along the initial flight path in field 35. Flashes of light are between one-ten thousandth and a few millionths of a second in duration. Very small apertures are used in cameras 18 and 19 to reduce ambient light and enhance strobe light. As light reflects off dots 20a-f in their two positions it reaches sensor panels 18p, 19p in corresponding panel areas 25a-f and 25g-l, respectively. Using the known ball 8 dimensions, the known time between camera operation and the known geometric relationships between the cameras, the external computing circuits are able to calculate the X, Y and Z positions of each enhanced spot in a common coordinate system at the time of each snapshot. From the position information and the known data, the external computing circuits are able to calculate the ball velocity and spin in three dimensions during the immediate post-launch time period. Given the initial velocity and spin, plus known aerodynamic characteristics of golf ball 8, the external computing circuits are capable of accurately predicting the flight path and point of landing of the ball. Three-dimensional monitoring of golf ball 8 that has a radius of 0.84" (21.34mm) is accomplished by representing the X, Y, Z position of each dot on ball 8 by its center of mass location T X , T Y , T Z and its orientation matrix with angles A, E, T. The position of each dot (i-1, 2, ....6) is given by the matrix coordinate transformation in which (i), ⊘(i) are the spherical polar coordinate position of dots 20a-f on the surface of ball 8 and is the orientation matrix. The orientation matrix, M, gives the three dimensional orientation transformation connecting the body coordinates of ball 8 with the fix global reference coordinate system calibrated earlier. The column vectors (0.84 sin (i) cos ⊘(i), 0.84 sin (i) sin ⊘(i), 0.84 cos (i)), give the position of the i th dot in the body fixed coordinate system. The optimum arrangement of dots 20a-f is one pole dot at 0°, 0° and the five surrounding dots are at (i)=30° and ⊘(i)=0°, 72°, 144°, 216°, 288°. An angle of theta much greater than 40° will not allow all six dots on the ball in the optimum configuration of the system to be captured on severely hooked or sliced golf shots. The resulting equations to be solved given the camera coordinates, U i (j) , V i (j) , for the six dots, i, and two cameras, j, are as follows: U i ( j ) = D 1 j X (i)+ D 2 j Y (i)+ D 3 j Z (i)+ D 4 j D 9 j X (i)+ D 10 j Y (i)+ D 11 j Z (i)+1 i=1,6 j=1,2 V i ( j ) = D 5 j X (i)+ D 6 j Y (i)+ D 7 j Z (i)+ D 8 j D 9 j X (i)+ D 10 j Y (i)+ D 11 j Z (i)+1 The resulting twenty-four (24) equations are solved for T X , T Y . T Z and orientation angles A, E, T for the ball's first location, A. A similar set of twenty-four equations are solved for in the second location position, B, of the ball. The twenty-four (24) equations are nonlinear and are solved iteratively by using a linearization of Taylor's theorem. Generally, the equations converge to a solution for the six unknown parameters in four iterations. The velocity components of the ball along the three axes of the coordinate system are then computed from the formulas: V x = T x ( t +▵ T ) - T x ( t ) ▵ T V y = T y ( t +▵ T ) - T y ( t ) ▵ T V z = T z ( t +▵ T ) - T z ( t ) ▵ T in which ΔT is the time interval between strobe firings. The spin components result from multiplying the orientational matrix M(A,E,T,t) and M(A',E',T',t+ΔT) and equating the off diagonal elements of the resulting relative orientation matrix. A(t,t+▵T) = M(t+▵T)M T (t) Then the magnitude, , of the angle of rotation vector of the two balls during the time increment ΔT is given by:  = sin -1 ( R /2) where R = L 2 + M 2 + N 2 L = A 32 -A 23 M = A 13 - A 31 N = A 21 - A 12 The three orthogonal components of spin rate, W x , W y , W z , are given by: W x = sin -1 ( R /2) L /( R ▵ T ) =  L /( R ▵ T ) W y = sin -1 ( R /2) M/ ( R▵T ) =  M / ( R ▵ T ) W z = sin -1 ( R/ 2) N/ ( R▵T ) =  N /( R ▵ T ) Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, system 3' includes camera housing unit 4', computer 5', acoustical sensor 6' and teed golf ball 8'. Camera unit 4' includes housing frame 11' and support feet 12a', 12b' engageable with tracks 14', and 16' so that unit 4' can be adjusted relative to teed ball 8'. Camera unit 4' further includes an electro-optical camera 18', which camera has light-receiving aperture 18a', shutter (not shown) and light sensitive silicon panels 18p' similar to the panels of Fig. 4. A CCD camera is preferred but TV-type cameras are also useful. Camera 18' in this one-camera system preferably has a higher resolution (754 x 244 pixel CCD array) than the camera 18 in the two-camera system (510 x 240 pixels). Adjacent to camera 18' are two flash lamps 21', 22'. Lamps 21' and 22' are placed as close to the operative of camera 18' as possible to minimize the divergence angle and this increases the ability of camera 18' to receive light from ball dots 20a-f and distinguish that light from light received from other portions of the ball surface and other background light. In the operation of this one camera system, the initial step is calibration of camera 18'. Camera 1ε' is calibrated to a coordinate system fixed in space in the same manner of the two-camera embodiment. To accomplish this calibration, fixture 30 of Fig. 3 is physically located just ahead of where teed ball 8' will be placed. The fixture includes twenty (20) retro-dots 30 a-t of 1/4" in diameter. Fixture 30 defines the global coordinate system by its three dimensional structure. The location of fixture 30 and spacing of camera 18' from fixture 30 or each other need not be precise since fixture 30 locates these when it determines the eleven constants for camera 18'. The eleven constants determine the focal length, orientation and position of camera 18' given the premeasured points on fixture 30 and the twenty (20) U and V coordinates digitized on camera's sensor panel 18p' (Fig. 4). The X, Y and Z coordinates of each dot 20a-f were premeasured to an accuracy of one of one-ten thousandth of an inch (25.4mm) on a digitizing table and stored in the computer. An image of the calibration fixture 30 is taken by camera 18'. This image determines the eleven (11) constants relating image space coordinates U and V to the known twenty (20) X, Y and Z positions on calibration fixture 30. The equations relating to the calibrated X(i), Y(i), Z(i) spaced points with the U i , V i image points are: U i = D 1 X (i)+ D 2 Y (i)+ D 3 Z (i)+ D 4 D 9 X (i)+ D 10 Y (i)+ D 11 Z (i)+1 i=1,20 V i = D 5 X (i)+ D 6 Y (i)+ D 7 Z (i)+ D 8 D 9 X (i)+ D 10 Y (i)+ D 11 Z (i)+1 The eleven constants, D i (i = 1,11) for camera 18' are solved from knowing X(i), Y(i), Z(i) at the 20 locations and the 20 U i , V i coordinates measured in the calibration picture. A typical fit of the U, V coordinates to the measured U, V coordinates is given in Table I. A pixel accuracy of 0.1 pixel is usually obtained. FITTED VALUE U V U DIFFERENCE V DIFFERENCE MEASURED VALUE U V 96.55 74.54 -0.05 -0.03 96.50 74.51 225.59 89.15 0.01 0.01 225.60 89.16 338.89 81.81 0.03 -0.11 338.92 81.70 440.99 88.37 -0.15 0.16 440.84 88.53 586.06 72.99 0.01 0.07 586.07 73.06 97.42 126.57 -0.09 0.03 97.33 126.60 226.64 134.78 0.14 0.04 226.78 134.82 340.16 130.69 0.03 -0.17 340.19 130.52 442.48 134.10 0.09 -0.04 442.57 134.06 587.94 124.86 0.09 -0.08 588.03 124.78 97.81 179.04 0.19 0.10 98.00 179.14 227.26 180.76 -0.10 0.01 227.16 180.77 341.19 179.62 -0.03 -0.12 341.16 179.50 443.09 180.08 -0.06 0.01 443.03 180.09 589.01 177.07 -0.06 0.10 588.95 177.17 98.43 231.63 -0.02 -0.01 98.41 231.62 227.76 226.83 -0.06 0.02 227.70 226.85 342.05 228.69 -0.10 0.05 341.95 228.74 443.91 226.14 0.17 -0.05 444.08 226.09 590.73 229.46 -0.05 0.00 590.68 229.46 AVERAGE STANDARD DEVIATION 0.10 0.08 With calibration completed, ball 8' which has been positioned about 25" (635mm) from camera 18' is struck and launched through three-dimensional field of view 35 (Fig. 2). Upon launch, the noise of striking is picked up by an acoustical sensor 6' which transmits a signal to open the shutter of camera 18' to light from the six (6) ball dots. One hundred microseconds later, flash light 22' fires a flash of light which illuminates the six (6) ball dots. Eight hundred (800) micro seconds later flash light 21' fires a flash of light to illuminate the six (6) ball dots which are about 3 to 5" (76,2 to 127 mm) along the initial flight path in field 35. Flashes of light are between one-ten thousandth and a few millionths of a second in duration. Very small apertures are used in camera 18' to reduce ambient light and enhance strobe light. As light reflects off dots 20a-f in their two positions it reaches sensor panel 18p' in corresponding panel areas 25a-f and 25 g-l, respectively. The same type of sensor panel as shown in Fig. 4 is used in the one camera system. Using the known dimensions of golf ball 8', the known time between camera operations and the known calibration equations of the camera, the external computing circuits are able to calculate the X, Y and Z positions of each enhanced spot in a common coordinate system at the time of each snapshot. From the position information and the known data, the external computing circuits are able to calculate the ball velocity and spin in three dimensions during the immediate post-launch time period. Given the initial velocity and spin, plus known aerodynamic characteristics of the ball 8', the external computing circuits are capable of accurately predicting the flight path and point of landing of the ball. Three-dimensional monitoring of ball 8' that has a radius of 0.84" (21.34mm) is accomplished by representing the X, Y, Z position of each dot on ball 8' by its center of mass location T X , T Y , T Z and its orientation matrix with angles A, E, T. The position of each dot (i-1, 2, ....6) is given by the matrix coordinate transformation in which (i), ⊘(i) are the spherical polar coordinate position of the dots 20a-f on the surface of ball 8' and is the orientation matrix. The orientation matrix, M, gives the three dimensional orientation transformation connecting the body coordinates of ball 8' with the fix global reference coordinate system calibrated earlier. The column vectors (0.84 sin (i) cos ⊘(i), 0.84 sin (i) sin ⊘(i), 0.84 cos (i)), give the position of i th dot in the body fixed coordinate system. The optimum arrangement of dots 20a-f is one pole dot at 0°, 0°and the five surrounding dots are at (i)=37° and ⊘(i)=0°, 72°, 144°, 216°, 288°. An angle of theta much greater than 50° will not allow all six dots on the ball in the optimum configuration of the system to be captured on severely hooked or sliced golf shots. The resulting equations to be solved given the camera coordinates, U i , V;, for the six dots, i, are as follows: U i = D 1 X (i)+ D 2 Y (i)+ D 3 Z (i)+ D 4 D 9 X (i)+ D 10 Y (i)+ D 11 Z (i)+1 i=1,6 V i = D 5 X (i)+ D 6 Y (i)+ D 7 Z (i)+ D 8 D 9 X (i)+ D 10 Y (i)+ D 11 Z (i)+1 The resulting twelve equations are solved for T X , T Y , T Z and orientation angles A, E, T for the ball's first location, A. A similar set of twelve equations are solved for in the second location position of the ball, B. The twelve (12) equations are nonlinear and are solved iteratively by using a linearization of Taylor's theorem. Generally, the equations converge to a solution for the six unknown parameters in eight iterations. The velocity components of the ball along the three axes of the coordinate system are then computed from the formulas: V x = T x ( t +▵ T ) - T x ( t ) ▵ T V y = T y ( t +▵ T ) - T y ( t ) ▵ T Y z = T z ( t +▵ T ) - T z ( t ) ▵ T in which ΔT is the time interval between strobe firings. The spin components result from multiplying the orientational matrix M(A,E,T,t) and M(A',E',T',t+ΔT) and equating the off diagonal elements of the resulting relative orientation matrix. A(t,t+ΔT) = M(t+ΔT)M T (t) Then the magnitude, , of the angle of rotation vector of the two balls during the time increment ΔT is given by:  = sin -1 ( R /2) where R = L 2 + M 2 + N 2 L = A 32 -A 23 M = A 13 - A 31 N = A 21 - A 12 The three orthogonal components of spin rate, W x , W y , W z , are given by: W x = sin -1 ( R /2) L /( R ▵ T ) =  L /( R ▵ T ) W y = sin -1 ( R /2) M/ ( R▵T ) =  M / ( R ▵ T ) W z = sin -1 ( R /2) N /( R ▵ T ) =  N /( R ▵ T ) Turning again to Fig. 6 to the method of accomplishing a test of the current camera system is depicted. An adjustable mechanical golf ball driving unit 50 is used with a golf club 52 for striking a golf ball 54 with retroreflective dots. A unit 4' (Fig. 5) is used for determining the launch conditions. The mechanical driving unit 50, suitably the mechanical golfer available from True Temper Corporation, is adjusted to give the launch angle, spin velocity and initial velocity desired for the particular test. By adjusting the pressure of the machine to 92 psi (634.34 KPa) and using a 4-iron, launch data was generated and analyzed for repeatability with unit 4'. Three golf balls were marked with circular retroreflective material at five (5) positions of 37° from a center marking as shown in Fig. 2. The three balls were hit twice and generated the data shown in Table II. The U and V values are the actual pixel values measured on the CCD array. The U coordinate may have a value of 1 to 754 and the V coordinate a value of 1 to 244. V and V are the pixel location on the sensor or sensors 18p', 19p'. The three components of velocity were transformed to velocity magnitude, and two angles defined as follows: Ball Velocity = ( V 2 x + V 2 y + V 2 z ) As shown in Table II, the variation in side angle is the most pronounced, percentage wise, relative to the other measured parameters. SHOT #1 BALL VELOCITY LAUNCH ANGLE SIDE ANGLE W x W y W z 1 122.5 (37.34 m/s) 15.9 -2.1 -4900 531 -10 2 123.3 (37.58 m/s) 16.0 0.0 -4666 193 64 3 123.2 (37.55 m/s) 15.5 -1.4 -4792 343 112 4 122.7 (37.40 m/s) 15.7 -1.4 -4884 282 58 5 122.9 (37.46 m/s) 15.9 -0.1 -4592 285 53 6 122.9 (37.46 m/s) 15.4 -1.4 -4707 348 22 Average 122.9 (37.46 m/s) 15.7 -1.1 -4757 330 50 STD 0.3 (0.09 m/s) 0.2 0.8 123 113 41 In Table III, the clubface was rotated to hit sliced shots and the six shots were repeated. SHOT #1 BALL VELOCITY LAUNCH ANGLE SIDE ANGLE W x W y W z 1 116.7 ( 35.57 m/s) 20.9 4.5 -4963 -1159 -21 2 118.2 (36.03 m/s) 19.9 6.6 -5370 -1537 59 3 118.7 (36.18m/s) 19.3 7.8 -5903 -1561 27 4 116.3 (35.45 m/s) 19.7 9.5 -5621 -1531 56 5 118.0 (35.97m/s) 19.7 7.6 -5668 -1549 32 6 118.5 (36.12m/s) 19.5 8.6 -5640 -1498 -13 Average 117.7 (35.87 m/s) 19.8 7.4 -5528 -1473 23 STD 1.0 (0.30 m/s) 0.6 1.7 324 155 34 Finally, in Table IV, the clubface was positioned to hit hook shots and again similar results for variation in the six parameters were obtained. SHOT #1 BALL VELOCITY LAUNCH ANGLE SIDE ANGLE W x W y W z 1 123.9 (37.76 m/s) 13.0 -5.7 -3881 1860 -51 2 124.9 (38.07 m/s) 13.4 -4.0 -3615 1320 -16 3 125.3 (38.19 m/s) 12.9 -4.9 -3719 1429 23 4 124.2 (37.86 m/s) 13.1 -5.4 -3856 1566 35 5 124.8 (38.04 m/s) 13.3 -4.2 -3629 1349 -68 6 124.5 (37.95 m/s) 13.0 -3.8 -3746 1523 19 Average 124.6 (37.98 m/s) 13.1 -4.7 -3741 1508 -10 STD 0.5 (0.15 m/s) 0.2 0.8 111 197 43 W x , W y and W z values are the three orthogonal components of ball spin rate. The spin components W x , W y and W z , are measured in RPMs (revolutions per minute). According to the invention, a monitoring systems shown in Fig. 7, differs from that of Fig. 5, in that no calibration fixture 30 is needed because the precise locations of the illuminable dots or markers on ball 8" are predetermined, that is precisely calibrated. Preferably, the illuminable dots or markers are made of reflective material which adhered to the surface of ball 8", such as the "Scotchlite" brand. Monitoring system 3" includes camera housing unit 4", computer 5", acoustical sensor 6", teed calibrated golf ball 8" and flight display unit 60. Camera unit 4" further includes a camera 18", which camera has light-receiving aperture 18a", shutters (not shown) and light sensitive silicon sensor panel 18p" similar to the panel of Fig. 4. A CCD camera (754 x 244 pixels) is preferred, but TV-type cameras may also be used. Adjacent to camera 18" are two flash lamps 21" and 22". Preferably, lamps 21" and 22" are placed as close as possible to camera 18" to minimize the divergence angle and this increases the ability of camera 18" to receive light from markers A-F and distinguish that light from light received from other portions of the ball surface and other background light. Based on the photographic equations discussed below, the launch conditions of the ball, such as the components of velocity and spin rate, are transmitted to computer 5." Included with these launch conditions, computer 5" also has initially programmed into it information on the flight characteristics of ball 8". Once initial flight data is measured and analyzed, the projected ball flight may then be presented on display screen 60, preferably on a television or CRT, that may also contain a background of different golf courses to simulate play realism. Referring to Fig. 8, calibrated golf ball 8" has illuminable markers A-F positioned precisely on its surface as set forth below. Markers A-F are preferably circular and have diameters of approximately 0.1-0.2" (2.54-5.08mm) and fit into the dimple indentation for accurate positioning. Markers A-F are positioned to ±0.37°. Marker Letter Latitude Longitude Degrees Minutes Sec. Degrees Minutes Sec. A 216 0 0 37 0 0 B 144 0 0 37 0 0 C 72 0 0 37 0 0 D 0 0 0 37 0 0 E 288 0 0 37 0 0 F 0 0 0 0 0 0 In the operation of this one-camera system, sensor panel 18p" is aligned with the platform such that the normal to its planar surface is perpendicular to gravity and its orientation is parallel to the downrange direction of the intend flight of golf ball 8". Such an alignment may be effected by bubble balancing the camera such that the Y-axis of sensor panel 18p" lies in the direction of gravity and the X-axis points towards the landmark at which the golfer should hit the ball. Turning to Fig. 9, rays of light reflected off of markers A-F pass along optical axis 61 of the lens (not shown) of camera 18". That lens has an effective focal length, f, of -25mm and images the reflected rays off of markers A-F onto image sensor plane 4". For example, marker A is projected on sensor plane 18p" at point A p . Those skilled in the art will readily note that the lens forms an inverted image of the markers on sensor plane 18p". To calculate the center of each circular markers A-F, such as A, a centroid averaging procedure is utilized, including a computer algorithm. In carrying out such centroid averaging, the center position of the highly contrasted marker A-F is found by summing over the pixel positions of all pixels about the marker A-F that have an intensity level above a threshold gray level and dividing then by the number of pixel elements in the sum. The thresholding operation segments the image into distinctly contrasted regions similar to that illustrated in Fig. 4. The photogrammetric equations relating the calibrated X c (j), Y c (j) and Z c (j) coordinates of the markers with the center image coordinates U(j) and V(j) of the markers are similar to those of the systems of the prior art and are generally given by: These equations determine the constants relating the image space coordinates U and V to the precisely known six (6) marker positions, X c (j), Y c (j), Z c (j), on calibrated golf ball 8". When golf ball 8", which is about 25" (635 mm) from camera 18", is struck, it is launched through a three-dimensional field of view 35, as depicted in Fig. 2 except for dots 20a-f replaced with markers A-F. Upon launch, the noise of striking is picked up by acoustical sensor 6" which transmits a signal to open the shutter of camera 18" to ambient light from field of view 35. One hundred microseconds later, flash light 22 fires a flash of light which illuminates the six (6) ball markers A-F. Eight hundred (800) microseconds later, flash light 21 fires a flash of light to illuminate the six (6) ball dots which are about 3 to 5" (76.2 to 127 mm) along the initial flight path in field 35. Flashes of light are between one-ten thousandth and a few millionths of a second in duration. Very small apertures are used in camera 18" to reduce ambient light and enhance strobe light. As light reflects off ball markers A-F in their two positions, it reaches sensor panel 4" in corresponding panel areas 25a-f and 25g-l, respectively, as depicted in Fig. 4. Using the known dimensions of golf ball 8", its known flight characteristics based on simple patterns, weight distribution and so forth, the known time between camera operations (snap-shots) and the above collinearity or photogrammetric equations, the computing circuits in computer 5" calculates the X C , Y C and Z C positions of each enhanced marker A-F in a common coordinate system at the time of each snapshot. The constraint condition between markers A-F of a rigid body (ball 8") allow the above photogrammetric equations to be solved with a minimum of three markers. The rigidity constraint adds nonlinearity or nonuniqueness. This nonuniqueness, however, can be overcome by using additional markers as in this embodiment that provide the determinism to solve the equations. From the positional information and referred-to known data, the computing circuits of computer 5" operate to calculate the velocity and spin in three dimensions of golf ball 8" during the immediate post-launch time period. Given the initial velocity and spin, plus known aerodynamic flight characteristics of ball 8", the computing circuits are capable of accurately predicting the flight path and point of landing of golf ball 8". Three-dimensional monitoring of golf ball 8" that has a radius of 0.84" (21.34mm) is accomplished by representing the X C , Y C , Z C position of each marker on ball 8" by its center of mass location T x , T y , T z and its orientation matrix with angles A, E, T. The position of each marker (j-1, 2, .... 6), X C (j), Y C (j), Z C (j) in camera 18" is given by the matrix coordinate transformation: in which (j), ⊘(j) are the spherical polar coordinate position of markers A-F on the surface of ball 8" and the orientation matrix is The orientation matrix, M. gives the three-dimensional orientation transformation connecting the body coordinates of ball 8" with the fixed camera 18" reference coordinate system. The column vectors (0.84 sin (j) cos ⊘(j), 0.84 sin (j) sin ⊘(j), 0.84 cos (j), give the position of the j th marker in the body fixed coordinate system. The optimum arrangement of markers A-F is one at 0°, 0° and the five surrounding markers at (j)=37° and ⊘(j)=0°, 72°, 144°, 216°, 288°. An angle of theta much greater than 50° will not allow all six (6) markers on the ball in the optimum configuration of the system to be captured on severely hooked or sliced golf shots. The resulting equations to be solved given the camera coordinates, U (j) , V (j) , for the six markers, j, are as follows and j=1,6: in which X B (j), Y B (j) and Z B (j) are the cartesian coordinates represented earlier as spherical polar coordinates that describe the body coordinate position of the j th marker. The resulting twelve equations are solved for T x , T y , T z and orientation angles A, E, T for the ball's first location, A. A similar set of twelve equations are solved for the second location position of the ball, B. The twelve (12) equations are nonlinear and are solved iteratively by using a linearization of Taylor's theorem. Generally, the equations converge to a solution for the six unknown parameters in eight iterations. The velocity components of the ball along the three axes of the coordinate system are then computed from the formulas: V x = T x ( t +▵ T ) - T x ( t ) ▵ T V y = T y ( t +▵ T ) - T y ( t ) ▵ T V z = T z ( t +▵ T ) - T z ( t ) ▵ T in which ΔT is the time interval between strobe firings. The spin components result from multiplying the orientational matrix M T (A,E,T,t) and M(A',E',T',t+ΔT) and equating the off-diagonal elements of the resulting relative orientation matrix. A(t,t+ΔT ) = M ( t +Δ T ) M T ( t ) Then the magnitude  of the angle of rotation vector of the two balls during the time increment ΔT is given by:  = sin -1 ( R /2) where R = L 2 +M 2 +N 2 L = A 32 - A 23 M=A 13 -A 31 N = A 21 - A 12 The three orthogonal components of spin rate, W x , W y , W z are given by: W x = sin -1 ( R /2) L /(R▵ T ) =L/ ( R▵T ) W y = sin -1 ( R /2) M /(R▵ T ) =  M /( R ▵ T ) W z = sin -1 ( R /2) N /( R ▵ T ) = N /( R ▵ T ) Statistical measurements made on twelve Tour™ golf balls indicate a variation between the center marker and the five outlying markers of 36.49 ± .37°. Table V below shows the results from computer simulation on the error deviation for the above center spacing variation. Simulation Of Model Model Ball velocity (ft/sec) 199.98±0.93 (60.95 ± 0.28 m/s) 200 Launch angle (degrees) 10.02±0.04 10 Side angle (degrees) 0.04±0.23 0 W x (spin rate) (rpm) 9±15 0 W y (spin rate) (rpm) -7±26 0 W z (spin rate) (rpm) -2999±2 -3000 Referring again to Fig. 6, an alternative method of utilizing the camera system of this embodiment is depicted. An adjustable mechanical golf ball driving unit 50 is used with a golf club 52 for striking a golf ball 54 with precisely predetermined illuminable markers. The monitoring system 3" of Fig. 7 is used for determining the launch conditions. Mechanical driving unit 50 is adjusted to give the launch angle, spin velocity and initial velocity desired for the particular operation. Three golf balls 8" marked with circular retroreflective material at five (5) positions of 37° from a center marking as shown in Fig. 8 were used. The three balls were hit twice and generated the data shown in Table VI. The three components of velocity were transformed to velocity magnitude and two angles defined as follows: Ball Velocity = V 2 x + V 2 y + V 2 z As shown in Table VI, the variation in side angle is the most pronounced, percentage wise, relative to the other measured parameters. SHOT #1 BALL VELOCITY (FEET/SEC) LAUNCH ANGLE (DEGREES) SIDE ANGLE (DECREES) W z (rpm) W y (rpm) W x (rpm) 1 191.7 (60.08 m/s) 16.3 0.4 -6513.2 583.1 -198.3 2 192.5 (58.67 m/s) 16.0 -1.6 -6654.3 553.7 50.0 3 192.1 (58.55 m/s) 15.4 -1.3 -6591.1 531.6 48.4 4 191.5 (58.37 m/s) 15.9 -0.3 -6526.5 531.9 -78.7 5 191.1 (58.25 m/s) 16.1 -2.2 -6665.6 532.3 -311.1 6 193.2 (58.89 m/s) 15.9 -1.2 -6482.1 551.3 -232.0 Average 192.0 (58.52 m/s) 15.9 -1.2 -6570.7 547.3 -120.3 STD 0.8 (0.24 m/s) 0.3 1.09 74.9 20.2 151.1 In Table VII, the clubface was rotated to hit sliced shots and the six shots were repeated. SHOT #1 BALL VELOCITY (FEET/SEC) LAUNCH ANGLE (DEGREES) SIDE ANGLE (DECREES) W z (rpm) W y (rpm) W x (rpm) 1 186.4 (56.81 m/s) 18.5 -9.1 -7564.5 -707.5 -751.9 2 185.7 (56.60 m/s) 18.5 -9.2 -7804.6 -668.9 -862.9 3 186.3 (56.78 m/s) 18.6 -10.3 -7675.2 -629.2 -946.9 4 185.0 (56.39 m/s) 19.0 -8.6 -7633.3 -806.6 -711.5 5 184.8 (56.33 m/s) 18.9 -8.6 -7769.0 -711.4 -876.8 6 185.8 (56.63 m/s) 19.6 -10.3 -7513.5 -708.3 -859.1 Average 185.7 (56.60 m/s) 18.9 -9.4 -7661.7 -705.3 -834.8 STD 0.6 (0.18 m/s) 0.4 0.8 115.4 59.1 86.9 Finally, in Table VIII, the clubface was positioned to hit hook shots and again similar results for variation in the six parameters were obtained. SHOT #1 BALL VELOCITY (FEET/SEC) LAUNCH ANGLE (DEGREES) SIDE ANGLE (DECREES) W z (rpm) W y (rpm) W x (rpm) 1 190.6 (58.09 m/s) 17.0 -5.9 -5516.0 1224.2 -694.0 2 191.8 (58.46 m/s) 16.3 -6.5 -6096.1 1053.0 -755.6 3 190.6 (58.09 m/s) 16.8 -8.1 -5858.9 1424.9 -839.9 4 190.7 (58.12 m/s) 16.9 -4.7 -5835.0 1096.0 -653.8 5 190.5 (58.06 m/s) 16.5 -6.1 -6195.3 1181.3 -791.2 6 191.1 (58.25 m/s) 16.6 -6.0 -6070.3 1236.5 -683.4 Average 190.9 (58.19 m/s) 16.7 -6.2 -5928.6 1202.6 -736.3 STD 0.8 (0.24 m/s) 0.3 1.1 246.2 130.5 71.4 In summary, a one camera system can adequately calculate the speed and spin of a golf ball and be used as a useful practice aid and data-gathering apparatus for equipment design. It is understood that various other modifications will also be readily apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. For example, other objects such as, baseballs, footballs, soccer ball, etc. may also be monitored using the system described.

Claims: A system for monitoring the initial portion of the flight of an object (8") through a field of view (35) comprising: a) a portable housing (4") including a camera unit (18") in fixed relationship in such housing (4") ; b) said camera unit (18") in such housing (4") having a light sensitive panel (18p") focused on the field of view (35) through which the object (8") passes during the initial portion of its flight; c) means (18a") for shuttering or gating said camera unit (18") at least twice as the object (8") passes through the field of view (35); d) six contrasting areas (A-F) on the object positioned so that light emitting from such areas (A-F) reaches each the light sensitive panel (18p") to form light patterns thereon; characterized in that said portable housing (4") includes only one camera unit (18") in fixed relationship in such housing (4") ; said contrasting areas (A-F) are positioned on the object (8") with one contrasting area (F) being at a center location and the other five contrasting areas (A-E) being at a longitude of 37° and at latitudes of 0°, 72°, 144°, 216° and 288°, respectively, such that the light patterns are calibrated, and computer means (5") is provided for comparing the known calibrated light patterns with received signals from the object (8") during flight to compute initial flight characteristics of the object (8"). A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the computer means (5") is in the portable housing (4"). A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the computer means (5") further receives and processes analog signals to determine the path of the object, its speed and spin during the initial portion of flight. A system as claimed in claim 1 further including an acoustical sensor (6") for sensing the striking of the object. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means (18a") for shuttering or gating includes a flash means (21", 22") for emitting two flashes of light onto the object (8"). A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means (18a") for shuttering or gating includes means for controlling the time periods during which said light sensitive panel receives light from said object. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means (18a") for shuttering or gating includes a ferroelectric liquid crystal shutter. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said camera unit (18") is a CCD camera having a resolution of 754 x 244 pixels. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said contrasting areas (A-F) are round areas of reflective material adhered to the surface of the object (8"). A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said contrasting areas (A-F) include painted spots of reflective material. A system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a support means for the object. A system as claimed in claim 11 wherein all means except the computer means (5") and support means are located in the portable housing (4").

Inventors: DAYS CHARLES, GOBUSH WILLIAM, PELLETIER DIANE, DAYS, CHARLES, GOBUSH, WILLIAM, PELLETIER, DIANE
Applicants: ACUSHNET CO, ACUSHNET COMPANY
Application year: 1995
Main classification: G01S17
IPC codes: G01S17, G01P3, G01D21, A63B69, G01P13