Information processing device, information processing method, storage medium, and program

Abstract

To provide a technology for estimating a behavior of a golf club in a swing without involving a dedicated measuring instrument.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes: acquisition means for acquiring a moving image of a swing of a golfer hitting a golf ball with a golf club; calculation means for calculating a feature value of the swing from the moving image; and conversion means for converting the feature value into an estimate value of the behavior of a golf club head by substituting the feature value into a conversion formula.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to information processing technology related to behavior analysis in the field of golf.

Background Art

[0002] Various techniques for analyzing the swing motion of a golfer have been proposed. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for measuring the incident angle of a golf club head and analyzing the swing motion. Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for measuring the rotation angle of a golf club and analyzing the swing motion. Patent Document 3 discloses a technique for estimating the impact position on the face surface during impact. Patent Document 4 discloses a technique for analyzing the behavior of a golf club head and predicting the trajectory of a hit ball. In addition, techniques for recommending golf supplies suitable for a golfer based on such analysis results have also been proposed (for example, Patent Document 5). Patent Document 6 discloses a technique for measuring a swing and inferring the behavior of a hit ball.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Patent Document 5

Patent Document 6

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Golfers are highly interested in the behavior of the golf club, such as head speed during impact, and the behavior of the golf ball immediately after impact, such as its initial velocity. However, measuring these aspects requires specialized equipment.

[0005] The objective of the present invention is to provide a technique for estimating the behavior of a golf club during a swing without requiring a dedicated measuring instrument. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the present invention, A method for obtaining a video of a golfer's swing as they hit a golf ball with a golf club, A calculation means for calculating the characteristic quantities of the swing from the aforementioned video, The system includes a conversion means that converts the aforementioned feature quantities into an estimated value of the behavior of the golf club head by substituting the aforementioned feature quantities into a conversion formula. picture, The aforementioned video includes footage of a golfer filmed from the front, The aforementioned feature includes the speed at which the golf club head moves in the direction of the ball flight during impact. The aforementioned estimated value is the head speed of the golf club head at the time of impact, converted from the aforementioned moving speed. An information processing device characterized by the above is provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique for estimating the behavior of a golf club during a swing without requiring a dedicated measuring instrument. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] An explanatory diagram showing how to capture a swing video using an information processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Block diagram of the information processing device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] (A) and (B) are diagrams illustrating the orientation of the clubface (face angle) at the time of impact. [Figure 4] Diagram illustrating the angle of incidence. [Figure 5] A diagram illustrating video analysis. [Figure 6] (A) and (B) are explanatory diagrams of feature quantities (moving speed). [Figure 7] (A) and (B) are explanatory diagrams of feature quantities (virtual line angle). [Figure 8] (A) and (B) are explanatory diagrams of feature quantities (lowest point distance). [Figure 9] Explanatory diagram of a measurement system for measuring head behavior. [Figure 10] (A) to (C) are explanatory diagrams of derivation examples of conversion formulas. [Figure 11] (A) and (B) are explanatory diagrams of the hitting angle of a hit ball. [Figure 12] (A) and (B) are explanatory diagrams of the spin amount of a hit ball, and (C) and (D) are explanatory diagrams of the trajectory. [Figure 13] Explanatory diagram of a measurement system for measuring the trajectory of a hit ball. [Figure 14] Flowchart showing a processing example of an information processing apparatus. [Figure 15] Diagram showing another example of an information processing apparatus.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the invention. Two or more of the plurality of features described in the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. Also, the same or similar configurations are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

[0010] <First Embodiment> <Information Processing Apparatus> FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a shooting mode of a swing video using an information processing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Arrows X, arrow Y, and arrow Z indicate a three-dimensional coordinate system recognized or set in the video. Arrow X and arrow Y indicate horizontal directions orthogonal to each other, and arrow Z indicates the vertical direction. Arrow Y indicates the flying direction (target direction) of the golf ball 30.

[0011] The information processing device 1 has a recording function. In this embodiment, the information processing device 1 records a video of the golfer's 10 swing from direction C1. It also records a video of the golfer's 10 swing from direction C2. Therefore, the golfer 10 performs the golf swing motion twice.

[0012] Direction C1 is the direction in which the golfer 10 is photographed from the front, and is the X direction. Direction C2 is the direction in which the golfer 10 is photographed from behind the ball's flight path, and is the Y direction. In a golf swing, the golfer 10 strikes the golf ball 30 with the golf club 20. The golf club 20 includes a golf club head 22 having a face (striking surface) 22a and a shaft 21 connected to the head 22. A grip (not shown) is attached to the end of the shaft 21 on the golfer 10 side. The swing video includes a series of the golfer's striking movements, such as address, backswing, downswing, impact, and follow-through.

[0013] The information processing device 1 will be described with reference to Figure 2 in addition to Figure 1. Figure 2 is a block diagram of the information processing device 1. The information processing device 1 in this embodiment is a portable terminal, such as a smartphone with a camera. A golfer 10 can support the information processing device 1 with a tripod or the like and shoot a swing video. The information processing device 1 comprises a processing unit 2, a storage unit 3, and a communication interface unit (communication I / F unit) 4, which are electrically connected to each other. The processing unit 2 is a processor such as a CPU. The storage unit 3 comprises one or more storage devices. The storage devices are, for example, RAM, ROM, etc. The storage unit 3 stores programs executed by the processing unit 2 and various data. The program executed by the processing unit 2 can consist of multiple instructions that the processing unit 2 can read. The communication I / F unit 4 is a communication device that performs wireless communication with an external device.

[0014] The information processing device 1 also includes an input unit 5, a display unit 6, and a shooting unit 7. The input unit 5 is a switch that accepts user input. The display unit 6 is a touch panel that provides information to the user as an image and accepts user input. The shooting unit 7 is a camera that takes images, and includes, for example, an optical system such as a lens and an image sensor such as a CCD sensor. The swing video is captured by the shooting unit 7.

[0015] <Behavior of the golf club head> In this embodiment, the information processing device 1 estimates the behavior of the head 22 from the swing video. In this embodiment, the estimated contents are the head speed, the orientation of the face (hitting surface) 22a at the time of impact, and the angle of incidence of the head 22 at the time of impact. Head speed is the velocity (m / s) of the head 22 at the time of impact. Head speed may be represented by the symbol HS.

[0016] The orientation of the face (hitting surface) 22a at impact is the angle of the face 22a at impact (face angle). Figure 3(A) is an explanatory diagram. In the example in Figure 3(A), the face angle is defined as the angle θf between a line perpendicular to the direction D1 of the movement trajectory of the head 22 at the impact position Yi of the golf ball 30 on the XY plane and a tangent line passing through the center of the face 22a in the toe-heel direction. In the example in the same figure, the direction in which the face 22a opens is defined as a negative angle, and the direction in which the face 22a closes is defined as a positive angle.

[0017] Note that the face angle may be based on the direction of the ball flight rather than the direction D1 of the movement trajectory of the head 22. Figure 3(B) is an explanatory diagram. On the XY plane, the face angle is defined as the angle θf between a line perpendicular to the direction of the ball flight Y at the impact position Yi of the golf ball 30 (X direction) and a tangent line passing through the center of the face surface 22a in the toe-heel direction. In the example shown in the figure, the direction in which the face surface 22a opens is defined as a negative angle, and the direction in which the face surface 22a closes is defined as a positive angle.

[0018] The angle of incidence is the angle of the trajectory of the club head 22 in the Z direction relative to the Y direction in the YZ plane when the golf ball 30 is struck. Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram. In the example shown in the figure, the direction D2 of the club head trajectory is determined from the position of the club head 22 at the impact position Yi of the golf ball 30 and the position of the club head 22 before that (shown by the dashed line), and the angle θi between the D2 direction and the Y direction is the angle of incidence. In the example shown, the upward direction is considered positive and the downward direction is considered negative.

[0019] The assumptions in this embodiment are limited to the three items described above, but other behaviors may also be included.

[0020] <Swing Characteristics> In order to estimate the behavior of the head 22, in this embodiment, swing features are calculated from the video captured by the shooting unit 7, and the above three items are estimated from the calculated features. For video analysis, for example, image recognition technology, such as skeletal detection technology, is applied to each frame image that makes up the video. Figure 5 shows an example. In the illustrated example, image recognition technology is applied to the swing image (address frame) IM, which is taken from behind the ball flight line, and a model M of the golfer and golf club is extracted. Model M includes coordinate information for the head 40, shoulders 41, elbows 42, wrists 43, waist 44, knees 45, and ankles 46 as points of interest for the golfer. Model M also includes coordinate information for the head part 47, which corresponds to the golf club head 22, as a point of interest for the golf club 20. Furthermore, Model M includes coordinate information for the ball part 48, with the golf ball 30 as the point of interest.

[0021] In this embodiment, three types of features are used as features of the swing. All three types of features are identified from the position of the head 22 in the video, that is, from the coordinates of the head part 47. In addition, some features are identified from the position of the head 22 (coordinates of the head part 47) and the body parts of the golfer.

[0022] The first of the three types of features is the motion velocity MV of the head 22 in the direction of the ball flight during impact, which is calculated from a video captured in the C1 direction. Figures 6(A) and 6(B) are explanatory diagrams. Figure 6(A) shows the model M extracted from the frame image immediately before impact, and Figure 6(B) shows the model M extracted from the frame image at the time of impact. At the stage shown in Figure 6(A), the head 47 is positioned behind the ball 48, and at the stage shown in Figure 6(B), the head 47 is just before contact with the ball 48. The motion velocity MV can be calculated from the frame rate of the video and the distance traveled by the head 47 in the YZ direction (difference in YZ coordinates) in the two models M. The distance traveled can be determined as the actual distance from the ratio of the measured length of a reference object in the image to the length of the reference object in the image and the distance traveled by the head 47 in the image. Examples of reference objects include golfers and golf clubs. When a golfer is used as the reference object, the golfer's height or a part of the golfer's body (arm length, leg length, etc.) may be used. Similarly, when a golf club is used as the reference object, the total length of the golf club or a part of it (shaft length, grip length, etc.) may be used. According to the inventors' research, the movement speed MV is correlated with the head speed among the behavioral items of the head 22.

[0023] The second of the three types of features is the angle θhd of the virtual line passing through the head 22 and ball 30 on the video with respect to the ground (X-axis) at a predetermined timing during the downswing (hereinafter referred to as the judgment timing), and is calculated from the video shot in the C2 direction. Figures 7(A) and 7(B) are explanatory diagrams. Figure 7(A) shows model M extracted from the frame image at address, and Figure 7(B) shows model M extracted from the frame image at the judgment timing. Model M in Figure 7(A) is used to define the judgment timing.

[0024] In this embodiment, the decision timing is defined by the Z-axis positions of the golfer 10's waist and elbows at address and the Z-axis position of the golfer 10's wrists at the downswing, with the decision timing being set when the swing motion is near the halfway down position. Specifically, the Z-axis coordinates Z1 of the waist 44 and Z2 of the elbow 42 at address are identified from Model M in Figure 7(A). As shown in Figure 7(B), the decision timing is the timing when the Z-axis coordinate of the wrist 43 is closest to Z0 during the downswing. Here, Z0 = (Z1 + Z2) / 2. In Model M in Figure 7(B), a virtual line VL is drawn passing through the head 47 and the ball 48, and the angle θhd of the virtual line VL with respect to the ground (X direction) is calculated. According to the inventors' research, the angle θhd is correlated with the face angle among the behavioral items of the head 22.

[0025] The third of the three types of features is the distance D in the direction of the ball flight between the golf ball 30 and the head 22 at its lowest point after the backswing, and is calculated from a video taken in the C1 direction. Figure 8(A) is an explanatory diagram. Figure 8(A) shows the model M extracted from multiple frame images before and after the hit, when the head 22 is at its lowest point in the Z direction. The example shown shows the case where the head 22 is at its lowest point before the hit. Figure 8(B) shows another example, in which the head 22 is at its lowest point after the hit. The distance D is distinguished as positive or negative based on the position of the golf ball 30 before the hit, that is, the Y-axis coordinate of the ball part 48. If the head part 47 reaches its lowest point in the Z-axis before the hit, as in Figure 8(A), it is a negative value, and if the head part 47 reaches its lowest point after the hit, as in Figure 8(B), it is a positive value. Distance D can be determined as the actual distance from the ratio of the measured length of the reference object in the image to the length of the reference object in the image, and the distance between the lowest point of the head 22 and the golf ball 30 in the image, similar to the calculation of the distance traveled by the head 47 at a moving speed MV. According to the inventors' research, distance D is correlated with the angle of incidence, which is one of the behavioral parameters of the head 22.

[0026] <Conversion from features to estimated head behavior> By pre-defining the correlation between the swing characteristics and the measured behavior of the actual head 22 in the form of a conversion formula, it is possible to obtain an estimated value of the head 22's behavior by filming a swing video. To obtain the conversion formula, a hitting test is conducted beforehand. The hitting test can be performed by multiple testers. Figure 9 shows an example of the configuration of the measurement system used for the hitting test.

[0027] The measuring instrument 60 is a device for measuring the golf swing motion of the golfer 10. In this embodiment, it is a device for measuring the behavior of the golf club 20. The measuring instrument 60 is a device attached to the shaft 21 (or grip) of the golf club 20 and incorporates an acceleration sensor and an angular velocity sensor. For example, the measuring instrument 60 can be the TSND121 from ATR-Promotions or the M-tracer from Seiko Epson. Based on the detection results of the measuring instrument 60, time-series data of the three-dimensional acceleration and three-dimensional angular velocity of the golf club 20 during the swing can be obtained.

[0028] The recording device 1' records a video of the golfer's swing. The recording device 1' may be a portable terminal with a camera, similar to the information processing device 1. The recording device 1' records a video of the golfer's swing from directions C1 and C2.

[0029] The information processing device 50 is a device that generates the above-mentioned conversion formula from the measurement results of the measuring instrument 60 and the swing video captured by the imaging device 1'. The information processing device 50 comprises a processing unit 51, a storage unit 52, and a communication interface unit (communication I / F unit) 53 that are electrically connected to each other. The processing unit 51 is a processor such as a CPU. The storage unit 52 comprises one or more storage devices. The storage devices are, for example, RAM, ROM, etc. The storage unit 52 stores programs executed by the processing unit 51 and various data. The program executed by the processing unit 51 can consist of multiple instructions that the processing unit 51 can read. The communication I / F unit 53 is a communication device that performs wireless communication with external devices.

[0030] The information processing device 50 is connected to a display device 54 and an input device 55. The display device 54 is, for example, an electronic image display device such as a liquid crystal display device, and displays the processing results of the information processing device 50. The input device 55 is a mouse or keyboard, and receives data input and operation instructions for the information processing device 50.

[0031] The information processing device 50 receives the measurement results from the measuring instrument 60. The processing unit 51 calculates the head speed HS, the face angle θf as explained in Figure 3(A), and the incident angle θi as explained in Figure 4 from the measurement results. For the measured swing, a swing video captured by the camera 1' is input. The processing unit 51 analyzes the swing video and calculates the movement speed MV, angle θhd, and distance D as explained in Figures 6(A) to 8(B). The pairs of head speed HS and movement speed MV, the pair of face angle θf and angle θhd, and the pair of incident angle θi and distance D are stored in the storage unit 52. As the hitting test is repeated, a large amount of data for each pair is obtained. A conversion formula (calculation formula) is generated from the data for each pair. Figures 10(A) to 10(C) are examples of this.

[0032] Figure 10(A) shows a set of data for head speed HS and movement speed MV. Regression analysis is used to derive an approximate straight line L1 showing the correlation between head speed HS and movement speed MV. From the approximate straight line L1, a linear equation HS = α1 × MV + β1 is derived with head speed HS as the dependent variable and movement speed MV as the independent variable (α1 and β1 are coefficients). This equation is used as the conversion formula to obtain head speed HS from movement speed MV.

[0033] Figure 10(B) shows a data set of face angles θf and θhd. Similar to Figure 10(A), regression analysis is used to derive an approximate straight line L2 showing the correlation between face angle θf and angle θhd. From the approximate straight line L2, a linear equation θf = α² × θhd + β² is derived with face angle θf as the dependent variable and angle θhd as the independent variable (α² and β² are coefficients). This equation is used as the transformation formula to obtain face angle θf from angle θhd.

[0034] Figure 10(C) shows a set of data for incident angle θi and distance D. Similar to Figure 10(A), regression analysis is used to derive an approximate straight line L3 that shows the correlation between incident angle θi and distance D. From the approximate straight line L3, a linear equation θi = α3 × D + β3 is derived with incident angle θi as the dependent variable and distance D as the independent variable (α3 and β3 are coefficients).

[0035] Based on the above, by substituting the features calculated from the swing video into the conversion formula, an estimated value of the head 22's behavior can be obtained.

[0036] <Estimation of batted ball behavior> By estimating the behavior of the head 22 from the swing video, it becomes possible to estimate the behavior of the ball as well. For the golfer 10, the trajectory of the golf ball 30 launched by their own golf swing motion is important. The trajectory of the golf ball 30 is estimated from the behavior of the ball, such as the initial velocity of the golf ball 30 immediately after impact, the vertical and horizontal launch angles, the amount of backspin, and the amount of sidespin. While such ball behavior can be measured using measurement equipment such as Doppler radar, in this embodiment, the trajectory of the golf ball 30 can also be estimated by following the procedure of swing video → feature extraction → estimation of the behavior of the head 22 → estimation of the behavior of the golf ball 30. Note that since videos from the C1 direction and videos from the C2 direction are used as the swing videos, the estimation of the behavior of the head 22 and the behavior of the golf ball 30 are not based on a single golf swing. However, for example, two golf swings, one from the C1 direction video and the other from the C2 direction video, can be considered as the same golf swing, and each estimation can be performed accordingly.

[0037] In this embodiment, as a preliminary step, a conversion formula (calculation formula) is generated to convert the estimated behavior of the head 22 into the estimated behavior of the golf ball 30. The initial velocity of the shot is the velocity of the golf ball 30 immediately after impact. Figure 11(A) is an explanatory diagram of the vertical launch angle, and Figure 11(B) is an explanatory diagram of the horizontal launch angle. As shown in Figure 11(A), the vertical launch angle is the angle θL of the trajectory of the golf ball 30 in the Z direction with respect to the Y direction in the YZ plane. Position Y0 is the initial position of the golf ball 30 (the stationary position before impact). In the illustrated example, the upward direction is considered positive and the downward direction is considered negative. As shown in Figure 11(B), the horizontal launch angle is the angle θS of the trajectory of the golf ball 30 in the X direction with respect to the Y direction in the XY plane. In the illustrated example, the left direction is considered positive and the right direction is considered negative.

[0038] Figure 12(A) is an explanatory diagram of backspin. Backspin is the amount of rotation of the golf ball 30 around the X-axis immediately after impact. In the example shown, upward rotation is considered positive and downward rotation is considered negative. Figure 12(B) is an explanatory diagram of sidespin. Sidespin is the amount of rotation of the golf ball 30 around the Z-axis immediately after impact. In the example shown, hook rotation is considered positive and slice rotation is considered negative.

[0039] The conversion formula can be generated using a set of measured data consisting of a data set for explanatory variables and a set of measured data for the corresponding objective variable. In this embodiment, the explanatory variables are head speed HS, face angle θf, and angle of incidence θi, and the objective variables are the initial ball velocity of the golf ball 30, the vertical launch angle, the horizontal launch angle, the backspin amount, and the sidespin amount. The objective variables are measured using ballistic measuring instruments such as high-speed cameras and Doppler radar, for example, TRACKMAN from TRACKMAN Inc. can be used. Figure 13 shows an example of the configuration of a measurement system used for a hitting test to obtain the conversion formula. 9A ball flight measurement device 61 has been added to the system. From the measurement results of the measurement device 60 and the ball flight measurement device 61, a set of data is obtained, consisting of head speed HS, face angle θf, angle of attack θi, ball initial velocity, vertical launch angle, horizontal launch angle, backspin amount, and sidespin amount. As the hitting test is repeated, many such sets of data are obtained.

[0040] The transformation formula can be derived, for example, through machine learning using the data set as training data. Examples of machine learning algorithms include linear regression, ridge regression, Lasso regression, support vector regression, and deep learning using stochastic gradient descent. In the case of linear regression, ridge regression, and Lasso regression using stochastic gradient descent, if we let the dependent variable be y, the independent variable be x, and the coefficient be a, the calculation formula is, for example, y1 = a1·x1 + a2·x2 + a3·x3... A linear equation can be used. Then, the coefficient 'a' can be obtained through machine learning to complete the calculation formula. In the case of Lasso regression and deep learning, both the formula and the coefficients in the formula can be obtained through machine learning, and in the case of Lasso regression, the type of explanatory variable to be used in the end can also be determined by machine learning.

[0041] Experiments related to this embodiment revealed correlations between the explanatory variables, particularly head speed (HS), face angle (θf), and angle of incidence (θi), and between ball initial velocity, vertical and horizontal launch angles, backspin, and sidespin. The conversion formula is, for example, Ball initial velocity = a1 · Head speed HS + a2 · Angle of attack θi + a3 · Face angle θf + a0 Vertical launch angle = a11 · head speed HS + a12 · angle of incidence θi + a13 · face angle θf + a10 Left and right launch angle = a21 · head speed HS + a22 · angle of incidence θi + a23 · face angle θf + a20 Backspin amount = a31 · Head speed HS + a32 · Angle of attack θi + a33 · Face angle + a30 Sidespin amount = a41 · Head speed HS + a42 · Angle of attack θi + a43 · Face angle + a40 This can be expressed as a linear equation. Note that the transformation formula may be derived using methods other than machine learning, for example, by correlation analysis.

[0042] <Example of processing> An example of processing by the information processing device 1 will be described. Figure 14 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the processing unit 2, which shows the process of displaying the trajectory estimation result of a batted ball from a swing video. The program for this process is stored in the memory unit 3, and each conversion formula obtained in advance is either written in the program or stored in the memory unit 3 and read out for use.

[0043] In S1, the imaging unit 7 of the information processing device 1 captures swing videos in the C1 and C2 directions as described in Figure 1. The captured swing video data is stored in the storage unit 3.

[0044] In S2, swing video data is acquired from memory unit 3. In S3, feature quantities are calculated from the acquired swing video. The feature quantities to be calculated are the movement speed MV, angle θhd, and distance D. In S4, the feature quantities calculated in S3 are converted to head speed HS, face angle θf, and incident angle θi using the conversion formulas explained in Figures 10(A) to 10(C).

[0045] In S5, the trajectory of the golf ball 30 is estimated. In trajectory estimation, the estimated values ​​obtained in S4 are first converted using the above conversion formula to the ball velocity, vertical launch angle, horizontal launch angle, backspin amount, and sidespin amount of the golf ball 30. The estimated trajectory includes the distance in the direction of the ball flight (Y direction). Figure 12(C) shows an example of the trajectory of a shot in the direction of the ball flight, where the distance from position Y0 (initial position) to position Y1 is the carry (air distance), and the distance from position Y1 to position Y2 is the run (rolling distance on the ground). The distance may be the carry only, or the sum of the carry and run. In addition, the estimated trajectory includes the deviation of the shot in the horizontal direction (X direction). Figure 12(D) shows an example of the trajectory of a shot in the horizontal direction, where position X0 is the initial position (hit position) of the golf ball 30. The dashed line in the Y direction passing through position X0 represents the direction the ball is about to be launched, and the deviation is considered to be 0 when the ball stops on this line. In the example shown, the trajectory deviates to the left.

[0046] Returning to Figure 14, in S6, the estimation results are displayed on the display unit 6. The information to be displayed may include the ballistic estimation results from S5, the video and model M information from S2, the feature quantities calculated in S3, and the estimated values ​​converted in S4.

[0047] In this embodiment, the behavior of the golf club 20, particularly the head 22, can be estimated from the swing video, and furthermore, the trajectory of the golf ball 30 can also be estimated using the estimation results. Since it does not require dedicated measuring instruments such as measuring instruments 60 and 61, and only requires the ability to record a swing video, golfers with camera-equipped mobile devices can easily obtain information about their own swing.

[0048] <Second Embodiment> In the first embodiment, the information processing device 1 performed all tasks from shooting the swing video to displaying the results, but some of these tasks may be performed by other information processing devices. Figure 15(A) shows an example. In the system shown in Figure 15(A), the information processing device 1 can communicate with an information processing device (server) 70 via a network 71 such as the Internet. The server 70 performs steps S2 to S5 of the processing shown in Figure 14. Specifically, the information processing device 1 shoots the swing video in S1, and the information processing device 1 sends the shot swing video to the server 70. The server 70 acquires (receives) the swing video in S2 and performs the processing in S3 to S5. The server 70 then sends the processing results to the information processing device 1, which receives them and performs the information display processing in S6.

[0049] As another example, server 70 may acquire (receive) the swing video transmitted from information processing device 1 in S2, extract information for model M using image recognition technology, and then transmit the information for model M to information processing device 1. Based on the received information for model M, information processing device 1 performs the processing in S3 to S6.

[0050] By adopting this server-client system, the processing load on the information processing device 1 can be reduced. Furthermore, since the conversion formulas are centrally managed by the server 70, updating them is also easy.

[0051] Figure 15(B) shows another configuration example. In the system shown in Figure 15(B), the information processing device 1 is used solely as a camera, and the captured swing video is sent to an information processing device such as a personal computer owned by the golfer. 80 The swing video is provided to the information processing device 1 via, for example, a USB memory stick or wireless communication. 80 The data is stored in the memory device and can be accessed by the processor of the information processing device 90.

[0052] Information processing device 80 This process performs steps S2 to S6 of the process shown in Figure 14. The program can be installed on the information processing device 80 from a storage medium 81, such as a CD-ROM.

[0053] Although embodiments of the invention have been described above, the invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0054] 1. Information Processing Device

Claims

1. A method for obtaining a video of a golfer's swing as they hit a golf ball with a golf club, A calculation means for calculating the characteristic quantities of the swing from the aforementioned video, The system includes a conversion means that converts the aforementioned feature quantities into an estimated value of the behavior of the golf club head by substituting the aforementioned feature quantities into a conversion formula, The aforementioned video includes footage of a golfer filmed from the front, The aforementioned feature includes the speed at which the golf club head moves in the direction of the ball flight during impact. The aforementioned estimated value is the head speed of the golf club head at the time of impact, converted from the aforementioned moving speed. An information processing device characterized by the following:

2. A method for obtaining a video of a golfer's swing as they hit a golf ball with a golf club, A calculation means for calculating the characteristic quantities of the swing from the aforementioned video, The system includes a conversion means that converts the aforementioned feature quantities into an estimated value of the behavior of the golf club head by substituting the aforementioned feature quantities into a conversion formula, The aforementioned video includes footage of a golfer filmed from behind the ball's flight path. The aforementioned feature is the angle of the virtual line passing through the golf club head and the golf ball in the video with respect to the ground at a predetermined timing during the downswing. The aforementioned estimated value is the orientation of the face of the golf club head at the time of impact, converted from the aforementioned angle. An information processing device characterized by the following:

3. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2, The predetermined timing is defined by the vertical position of the golfer's waist and elbows at address and the vertical position of the golfer's wrists during the downswing. An information processing device characterized by the following:

4. A method for obtaining a video of a golfer's swing as they hit a golf ball with a golf club, A calculation means for calculating the characteristic quantities of the swing from the aforementioned video, The system includes a conversion means that converts the aforementioned feature quantities into an estimated value of the behavior of the golf club head by substituting the aforementioned feature quantities into a conversion formula, The aforementioned video includes footage of a golfer filmed from the front, The aforementioned feature quantity includes the distance in the direction of the ball flight between the golf ball and the lowest point of the golf club head. The aforementioned estimated value is the angle of incidence of the golf club head at the time of impact, converted from the aforementioned distance. An information processing device characterized by the following:

5. A method for obtaining a video of a golfer's swing as they hit a golf ball with a golf club, A calculation means for calculating the characteristic quantities of the swing from the aforementioned video, The system includes a conversion means that converts the aforementioned feature quantities into an estimated value of the behavior of the golf club head by substituting the aforementioned feature quantities into a conversion formula, The aforementioned conversion formula is a linear equation obtained from the feature quantities calculated from videos of multiple golfers' swings and the measured values ​​of the golf club head's behavior measured by a measuring instrument during the swing. An information processing device characterized by the following:

6. An information processing device according to claim 5, The aforementioned feature quantities are identified from the position of the golf club head in the video. An information processing device characterized by the following:

7. An information processing device according to claim 5, The aforementioned feature quantities are identified from the position of the golf club head and the position of the golfer's body parts in the video. An information processing device characterized by the following:

8. An information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The system includes estimation means for estimating the behavior of the batted ball due to the swing based on the aforementioned estimated values. An information processing device characterized by the following:

9. A computer acquires a video of a golfer's swing as he hits a golf ball with a golf club, The computer performs a calculation process in which it calculates the characteristic quantities of the swing from the video, The computer includes a conversion step of substituting the feature quantities into a conversion formula to convert the feature quantities into estimated values ​​of the behavior of the golf club head, The aforementioned video includes footage of a golfer filmed from the front, The aforementioned feature includes the speed at which the golf club head moves in the direction of the ball flight during impact. The aforementioned estimated value is the head speed of the golf club head at the time of impact, converted from the aforementioned moving speed. An information processing method characterized by the following:

10. A computer acquires a video of a golfer's swing as he hits a golf ball with a golf club, The computer performs a calculation process in which it calculates the characteristic quantities of the swing from the video, The computer includes a conversion step of substituting the feature quantities into a conversion formula to convert the feature quantities into estimated values ​​of the behavior of the golf club head, The aforementioned video includes footage of a golfer filmed from behind the ball's flight path. The aforementioned feature is the angle of the virtual line passing through the golf club head and the golf ball in the video with respect to the ground at a predetermined timing during the downswing. The aforementioned estimated value is the orientation of the face of the golf club head at the time of impact, converted from the aforementioned angle. An information processing method characterized by the following:

11. The information processing method according to claim 10, The predetermined timing is defined by the vertical position of the golfer's waist and elbows at address and the vertical position of the golfer's wrists during the downswing. An information processing method characterized by the following:

12. A computer acquires a video of a golfer's swing as he hits a golf ball with a golf club, The computer performs a calculation process in which it calculates the characteristic quantities of the swing from the video, The computer includes a conversion step of substituting the feature quantities into a conversion formula to convert the feature quantities into estimated values ​​of the behavior of the golf club head, The aforementioned video includes footage of a golfer filmed from the front, The aforementioned feature quantity includes the distance in the direction of the ball flight between the golf ball and the lowest point of the golf club head. The aforementioned estimated value is the angle of incidence of the golf club head at the time of impact, converted from the aforementioned distance. An information processing method characterized by the following:

13. A computer acquires a video of a golfer's swing as he hits a golf ball with a golf club, The computer performs a calculation process in which it calculates the characteristic quantities of the swing from the video, The computer includes a conversion step of substituting the feature quantities into a conversion formula to convert the feature quantities into estimated values ​​of the behavior of the golf club head, The aforementioned conversion formula is a linear equation obtained from the feature quantities calculated from videos of multiple golfers' swings and the measured values ​​of the golf club head's behavior measured by a measuring instrument during the swing. An information processing method characterized by the following:

14. A storage medium storing a program that causes a computer to execute the information processing method described in any one of claims 9 to 13.

15. A program that causes a computer to execute the information processing method described in any one of claims 9 to 13.

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