Swing check device

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the present application, a swing check device is provided, the device comprising: a case having a built-in memory and at least one processor; a laser pointer which is arranged in the case and which emits a laser beam to the outside of the case; and a coupling unit which is formed in the case and which is for reflecting, through the movement of the laser beam, body movement caused by swinging.

Description

Swing check device

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for checking a swing.

[0002] The material described in this section merely provides background information for the present invention and does not constitute prior art.

[0003] As the number of people enjoying golf increases, interest in golf practice or lessons to improve golf skills is also increasing, and interest in choosing the right equipment for oneself is also increasing.

[0004] In keeping with this trend, products are also being utilized to practice accurate and personalized golf swings. Examples include products for practicing torso rotation and swing path during the swing, improving swing speed, developing an appropriate backswing tempo, creating resistance during the swing to enhance the muscle strength necessary for golf, practicing flexible shoulder rotation, and correcting grip.

[0005] Additionally, products with various specific purposes are being utilized, such as products that set the speed for each golf club to practice the correct swing speed for various clubs, and products that prevent the backslide or top ball to promote accurate impact.

[0006] However, most of these existing products are implemented in the form of sticks shaped like golf clubs, and have a weight or length that is different from that of actual golf clubs, so they have the disadvantage of feeling a foreign sensation when swinging with an actual golf club.

[0007] Additionally, most existing products focus on practicing the user's arm movements, and thus may have certain limitations in checking the rotation of the torso, which is an important factor in determining the swing trajectory or center of gravity movement.

[0008] One embodiment of the present invention has a main purpose of providing a swing check device that accurately checks a swing trajectory or center movement by detecting the rotation of the torso through the movement of a laser beam.

[0009] In addition, one embodiment of the present invention has a main purpose of providing a swing check device that can minimize the difference between a practice swing and an actual swing by allowing a user to practice using his or her own golf club.

[0010] In addition, one embodiment of the present invention has a main purpose of providing a swing check device that can correct a swing immediately upon visually or automatically detecting a laser beam.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a swing check device is provided, comprising: a case having a memory and at least one processor built in; a laser pointer disposed in the case and irradiating a laser beam to the outside of the case; and a coupling part formed in the case and configured to reflect movement of a body due to a swing into movement of the laser beam.

[0012] As described above, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the judgment of the appropriateness of a swing motion can be implemented more accurately and conveniently for the user.

[0013] In addition, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the appropriateness of center movement by backswing or downswing can be more accurately and conveniently determined.

[0014] In addition, according to another embodiment of the present invention, convenience and accuracy in setting the starting position of a swing can be improved.

[0015] In addition, according to another embodiment of the present invention, judgment of swing trajectory error can be made conveniently and accurately.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the structure of a swing check device to which an embodiment according to the present disclosure can be applied.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of a swing check device to which an embodiment according to the present disclosure can be applied.

[0018] Figure 3 is a drawing for explaining the entire swing motion divided into sections.

[0019] Figure 4 is a drawing to explain the center of gravity movement during the backswing and downswing.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for checking center movement by backswing and downswing according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for checking the starting point of a swing according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 7 is a drawing to explain an example of an error in the swing trajectory.

[0023] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing a method for checking the trajectory of a swing.

[0024] Figure 9 is a drawing to explain another example of an error in the swing motion.

[0025] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing another method for checking the trajectory of a swing.

[0026] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing a method for checking the accuracy of waist rotation.

[0027] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to exemplary drawings. When designating components in each drawing, it should be noted that, where possible, identical components will be given the same reference numbers, even if they appear in different drawings. Furthermore, when describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of known related structures or functions will be omitted if they are deemed to obscure the gist of the present invention.

[0028] In addition, when describing the components of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used. These terms are only to distinguish the components from other components, and the nature, order, or sequence of the components are not limited by the terms. Throughout the specification, when a part is said to "include" or "have" a component, this does not mean that other components are excluded, but rather that other components can be further included, unless specifically stated otherwise. In addition, terms such as "part" and "module" described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and this can be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0030] The swing check device according to the present disclosure is a device that is attached to a user's clothing, belt, etc., moves according to the movement of the body due to the swing, checks the trajectory of the swing, movement of the center, etc., and notifies the check result through vibration or sound.

[0031] In the following description, notifications via vibration or sound, etc., may be performed only when certain conditions are met. Furthermore, notifications via vibration or sound, etc., may also be performed only when another condition opposing the certain condition is met.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the external structure of a swing check device (100) to which an embodiment according to the present disclosure can be applied, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of a swing check device to which an embodiment according to the present disclosure can be applied. FIG. 1 (a) is a front view, FIG. 1 (b) is a rear view, and FIG. 1 (c) is a side view.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the swing check device (100) may be configured to include a case (105), a laser pointer (160), and a coupling part (180).

[0034] The case (105) may have built-in memory (195) and at least one processor (190). A power supply (110) may be placed in the case (105). A laser pointer (160) may be placed in the case (105) and may irradiate a laser beam to the outside of the case (105).

[0035] The connecting part (180) is formed on the case (105) and can be attached to the user's clothing, belt, etc. Through this, the connecting part (180) can transmit the movement of the body due to the swing to the swing check device (100) and the laser pointer (160). That is, the movement of the body due to the swing can be reflected as the movement of the laser beam by the connecting part (180). The connecting part (180) can be implemented as an opening through which a belt can pass, or can be implemented as a clip that can be fixed to clothing.

[0036] The swing check device (100) may further include a direction control unit (150). The direction control unit (150) is disposed in the case (105), and a command to control the irradiation direction of the laser beam (direction control command) may be input to the direction control unit (150). When the direction control command is input, the processor (190) may control the laser pointer (170) so that the laser beam is irradiated in a direction corresponding to the direction control command. By controlling the irradiation direction of the laser beam, the laser beam may be irradiated toward the ground and recognized regardless of the various body sizes of each user and the position of the body on which the swing check device (100) is worn.

[0037] The swing check device (100) may further include a color control unit (140). The color control unit (140) is disposed in the case (105), and a command for controlling the color of the laser beam (color control command) may be input to the color control unit (140). The color control command may be a command for selecting any one of various preset colors (red, yellow, blue, etc.). When the color control command is input, the processor (190) may control the laser pointer (170) so that a color corresponding to the color control command is set among various preset colors. By controlling the color of the laser beam, the user may use the color of the laser beam that is most visually recognizable in the surrounding environment (weather, time zone, color of the ground, etc.) in which the swing is performed.

[0038] The swing check device (100) may further include an imaging module (160). The imaging module (160) is disposed in the case (105), detects an image in the direction in which a laser beam is irradiated, and can detect the position of the laser beam from the detected image. An imaging control command, which is a control command for the imaging module (160), may be input to the imaging control unit (130) disposed in the case (105). When the imaging control command is input, the processor (190) may control the imaging module (160) so that corresponding settings are made.

[0039] The swing check device (100) may further include a mode selection unit (120). The mode selection unit (120) is disposed in the case (105), and a command (mode selection command) for selecting one of various modes may be input to the mode selection unit (120). The various modes may be preset modes, and the preset modes may include a vibration mode, a sound mode, a size adjustment mode, a sensitivity adjustment mode, etc.

[0040] The vibration mode and sound mode may be modes that display alarms through vibration and sound provided by the notification module (125). When a mode selection command for selecting the vibration mode or sound mode is input, the processor (190) can control the notification module (125) so that a corresponding mode is set.

[0041] The size adjustment mode may be a mode for adjusting the size of a laser beam. When all selection commands for selecting the size adjustment mode are input, the processor (190) can control the laser pointer (170) so that a corresponding size is set.

[0042] The sensitivity adjustment mode may be a mode that adjusts the degree to which the laser beam is detected. For example, when the sensitivity is set to low, the threshold for displaying an alert may be relatively large, so that alerts may be displayed only for relatively large errors. Alternatively, when the sensitivity is set to high, the threshold for displaying an alert may be relatively small, so that alerts may be displayed even for relatively small errors. Here, an error may include a case where the swing trajectory deviates from the appropriate trajectory, or a case where the body's center of gravity shifts due to the swing deviates from the appropriate center of gravity. The sensitivity may be adjusted based on the user's skill level, ability, or capability, which may be categorized as master, pro, amateur, or beginner.

[0043] Figure 3 is a drawing for explaining the entire swing motion divided into sections.

[0044] Figure 3 (a) shows the starting point of a swing, and in this case, the position on the ground of the laser beam (dotted line) irradiated from the swing check device (100) may correspond to the starting position.

[0045] From (a) to (c) of FIG. 3, the backswing section of the swing is shown, and in this case, the position on the ground of the laser beam irradiated from the swing check device (100) can move in one direction (leftward in FIG. 3) from the starting position of the laser beam. When the swing check device (100) is worn on the user's waist, the distance between the position of the laser beam within the backswing section and the starting position of the laser beam can be the largest at the point where the waist rotates the most in the backswing direction ((c) of FIG. 3). That is, when the swing check device (100) is worn on the user's waist, the position of the laser beam can move the most to the left at the point where the waist rotates the most in the backswing direction ((c) of FIG. 3) rather than at the point where the upper body rotates the most in the backswing direction ((b) of FIG. 3). Hereinafter, the position of the laser beam within the backswing section will be referred to as the 'backswing position'.

[0046] From (c) to (d) of FIG. 3, the downswing section of the swing is indicated. In this case, the position on the ground of the laser beam irradiated from the swing check device (100) can move in a different direction (rightward with reference to FIG. 3) from the starting position of the laser beam. Hereinafter, the position of the laser beam within the downswing section is referred to as the 'downswing position'.

[0047] The section from (d) to (e) of FIG. 3 represents the finish section of the swing, and in this case, the position on the ground of the laser beam irradiated from the swing check device (100) may move further in a different direction (to the right as of FIG. 3) from the starting position of the laser beam. In addition, if the waist rotates naturally within the finish section, the laser beam may not be directed toward the ground, and thus may not be recognized.

[0048] Figure 4 is a drawing to explain the center of gravity movement during the backswing and downswing.

[0049] In the backswing section from (a) of FIG. 4 to (c) of FIG. 4, the position on the ground of the laser beam irradiated from the swing check device (100) (backswing position, B) can move in one direction (leftward based on FIG. 4) from the starting position (S) of the laser beam. In general, it can be determined that the center of gravity movement due to the backswing has been appropriately performed when the distance difference between the backswing position (B) and the starting position (S) is approximately 1 meter (m) or more.

[0050] In the downswing section from (c) of FIG. 4 to (d) of FIG. 4, the ground position (downswing position, D) of the laser beam irradiated from the swing check device (100) can move in one direction (rightward in FIG. 4) from the starting position (S) of the laser beam. In general, it can be determined that the center of gravity movement due to the downswing has been appropriately performed when the distance difference between the downswing position (D) and the starting position (S) is approximately 1.5 meters (m) or more.

[0051] The appropriate center of gravity movement during the backswing and downswing periods can be determined by the user visually tracking the position of the laser beam. In some embodiments, the appropriate center of gravity movement during the backswing and downswing periods can also be automatically determined by the swing check device (100). The automatic determination by the swing check device (100) will be described below.

[0052] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for checking center movement during a backswing and downswing according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Each process of FIG. 5 may be controlled by a swing checking device (100) (specifically, a processor).

[0053] Referring to FIG. 5, the starting position of the laser beam can be detected (S510). The starting position of the laser beam may correspond to the position of the laser beam corresponding to the start point of the swing. If the position of the laser beam remains within a threshold range for a threshold time, the position may be set as the starting position. A specific method for setting the starting position will be described later.

[0054] The difference between the current position of the laser beam and the starting position is calculated, and whether the difference between the current position and the starting position is greater than or equal to a threshold value can be determined (S520). The current position may be the position of the laser beam within the backswing section or the position of the laser beam within the downswing section. The threshold value may be a reference value for determining whether the center movement due to the backswing or downswing is appropriate, and may be preset. For example, the threshold value for determining whether the center movement due to the backswing is appropriate may be approximately 1 meter, and the threshold value for determining whether the center movement due to the downswing is appropriate may be approximately 1.5 meters.

[0055] If the difference between the current position and the starting position is less than the threshold, no vibration or sound is displayed, and whether the difference between the current position and the starting position is greater than the threshold can be determined again (S520). By repeating this process, if the difference between the current position and the starting position is less than the threshold, vibration or sound can be displayed (S530).

[0056] In this way, the main body is configured to automatically check the center movement due to the backswing or downswing, so that the appropriateness of the center movement can be judged more accurately and conveniently.

[0057] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for checking the starting point of a swing according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Each process of FIG. 6 may be controlled by a swing checking device (100) (specifically, a processor).

[0058] Referring to FIG. 6, the position of the laser beam can be detected (S610). The position of the laser beam may be the initial position initially detected through the laser beam imaging module (160), or the position of the laser beam first detected at the time the user makes a swing motion.

[0059] It can be determined whether the position of the detected laser beam is within a threshold range for a threshold time (S620). Since the user remains stationary when preparing to swing, the position of the laser beam is detected within a narrow range for a predetermined time when preparing to swing. Accordingly, the threshold time and threshold range may correspond to parameters for determining whether the swing preparation motion corresponds to a swing preparation motion. The threshold time and threshold range may be preset.

[0060] If the laser beam is detected within the threshold range for a critical period of time, it is considered to be preparing for a swing, and the corresponding position may be set as the starting position (S630). Conversely, if the laser beam is detected outside the critical range for a critical period of time, or if the time it is detected within the critical range is shorter than the critical period of time, it is considered to not be preparing for a swing, and the corresponding position may not be set as the starting position. In this case, whether the next position of the laser beam is detected within the critical range for a critical period of time may be re-determined.

[0061] Any one of the multiple locations detected within the threshold range during the threshold time can be set as the starting location. Additionally, a location corresponding to the average value of the multiple locations, a location corresponding to the median value, etc., can be set as the starting location. Furthermore, the first or last location among the multiple locations can be set as the starting location.

[0062] In this way, since the device is configured to automatically check the starting position of the laser beam, the user need not perform a separate action to set the starting position of the laser beam. Therefore, according to the device, convenience in setting the starting position can be improved, and since human setting actions are eliminated, the accuracy of the starting position can be guaranteed.

[0063] Figure 7 is a drawing to explain an example of an error in the swing trajectory.

[0064] If the user's upper body is not properly bent during the swing, the hand position will also deviate from the proper rotational path. This swing path error is difficult to visually recognize, and it is even more difficult to identify the specific section of the swing path where the error occurs.

[0065] If an error occurs in the swing trajectory, the laser beam emitted from the swing check device (100) may deviate from the normal direction toward the ground (dotted line) and may be emitted in a direction other than the ground (double-dotted line). Therefore, if an error occurs in the swing trajectory, the laser beam may not be detected in the image.

[0066] Considering these points, the present invention proposes a method for automatically detecting errors in a swing trajectory based on the recognition of a laser beam. Fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for checking a swing trajectory. Each process in Fig. 8 can be controlled by a swing checking device (100) (specifically, a processor).

[0067] Referring to Fig. 8, it can be determined whether the position of the laser beam is detected (S820). Since errors in the swing trajectory should only be determined within the swing section, the process of detecting the position of the laser beam (S820) can be performed after the starting position is set (S810).

[0068] If the position of the laser beam is not detected, this indicates an error in the swing trajectory, and thus a sound or vibration notification may be displayed (S830). The detection of the laser beam position may be repeatedly performed at predetermined time intervals.

[0069] Meanwhile, as illustrated in Fig. 9, the user's body, which was bent during the backswing or downswing, straightens during the finish, so the laser beam emitted from the swing check device (100) is directed in a direction other than the ground (dashed line) or the ground direction (double-dotted line). Accordingly, if no error occurs in the swing trajectory, the laser beam is not detected from the image, but if an error occurs in the swing trajectory, the laser beam can be detected from the image.

[0070] Considering these points, the present invention proposes a method for automatically detecting errors in the swing trajectory within the finish section based on the recognition of a laser beam. Fig. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for checking the swing trajectory. Each process in Fig. 10 can be controlled by a swing checking device (100) (specifically, a processor).

[0071] Referring to Fig. 10, it can be determined whether the position of the laser beam is detected (S1020). Since swing trajectory errors should only be determined within the finish section, the process of detecting the position of the laser beam (S1020) can be performed after the downswing position is detected (S1010).

[0072] If the position of the laser beam is detected, this indicates that an error has occurred in the swing trajectory, and thus a sound or vibration notification may be displayed (S1030). Conversely, if the position of the laser beam is not detected, this indicates that no error has occurred in the swing trajectory, and thus no sound or vibration notification may be displayed. The detection of the laser beam position may be repeatedly performed at predetermined time intervals.

[0073] In this way, since the main body automatically detects swing trajectory errors in the backswing section, downswing section, and finish section, user convenience and accuracy in detecting swing trajectory errors can be improved.

[0074] Meanwhile, the accuracy of hip rotation (or weight shift) during the backswing or downswing has traditionally been checked by a third party observing the swing from close range. Therefore, to independently assess the accuracy of hip rotation, the swinger (user) must film their swing with a separate camera and review the footage. However, this method inevitably has time and space constraints.

[0075] Therefore, the present disclosure proposes a method by which a user can immediately check the accuracy of his or her waist rotation without the intervention of a third party or separate filming.

[0076] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method for checking the accuracy of weight shift (or waist rotation) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Each process of FIG. 11 may be controlled by a swing check device (100) (specifically, a processor).

[0077] Referring to FIG. 11, it can be determined whether a first event or a second event has occurred (S1110). The first event may refer to a case where a ball that was not detected in the image is detected, and the second event may refer to a case where a ball that was detected in the image is no longer detected. That is, in the downswing section, for example, in the case of a waist rotation, the ball is not located within the detection area of ​​the imaging module (160) at the beginning of the downswing section, and thus the ball is not detected in the image. Thereafter, as the downswing section progresses further from the beginning, the ball is located within the detection area of ​​the imaging module (160), and thus the ball is detected in the image (first event). As the downswing section progresses further, the ball is no longer located within the detection area of ​​the imaging module (160), and thus the ball is no longer detected in the image (second event).

[0078] If neither the first nor the second event occurs, it can be determined whether the first or second event occurs for the next video. If these processes are repeated and the first or second event occurs, a sound or vibration notification can be controlled to be displayed (S1120).

[0079] Meanwhile, since the first and second events correspond to different subsections within the downswing and are distinct from each other, the types of notifications also need to be distinct. This is to allow users to assess the accuracy of their hip rotation in detail.

[0080] To this end, the notifications for the first event and the second event may be set to different types. For example, the notification for the first event may be a vibration and the notification for the second event may be a sound, or conversely, the notification for the first event may be a sound and the notification for the second event may be a vibration. As another example, the notifications for the first event and the second event may both be vibrations, but the number of vibrations or the volume may be different. As another example, the notifications for the first event and the second event may both be sounds, but the number of sounds or the volume may be different.

[0081] Although FIGS. 5, 6, 8, 10, and 11 describe the processes as being executed sequentially, this is merely an illustrative description of the technical idea of ​​one embodiment of the present invention. In other words, a person having ordinary skill in the art to which one embodiment of the present invention pertains may change and execute the order described in FIGS. 5, 6, 8, 10, and 11 without departing from the essential characteristics of one embodiment of the present invention, or may modify and change and apply various modifications and variations such as executing one or more of the processes in parallel. Therefore, FIGS. 5, 6, 8, 10, and 11 are not limited to a chronological order.

[0082] Meanwhile, the processes illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, 8, 10, and 11 can be implemented as computer-readable codes on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium includes all types of recording devices that store data that can be read by a computer system. That is, the computer-readable recording medium can be a non-transitory medium such as a ROM, a RAM, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage device, and may further include a transitory medium such as a carrier wave (e.g., transmitted via the Internet) and a data transmission medium. In addition, the computer-readable recording medium can be distributed across network-connected computer systems, so that the computer-readable codes can be stored and executed in a distributed manner.

[0083] The above description is merely an example of the technical idea of ​​the present embodiment, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the essential characteristics of the present embodiment. Therefore, the present embodiments are not intended to limit the technical idea of ​​the present embodiment, but rather to explain it, and the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present embodiment is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present embodiment should be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical ideas within a scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of rights of the present embodiment.

[0084] <Explanation of symbols>

[0085] 100: Swing check device

[0086] 105: Case 110: Power supply

[0087] 120: Mode selection section 125: Notification module

[0088] 130: Image control unit 140: Color control unit

[0089] 150: Direction control unit 160: Image capture module

[0090] 170: Laser pointer 180: Joint

[0091] 190: Processor 195: Memory

[0092] Embodiments according to the present disclosure can be used to check the accuracy of a swing.

Claims

1. As a swing check device, A case with built-in memory and at least one processor; A laser pointer disposed in the case and irradiating a laser beam to the outside of the case; and A swing check device formed in the case and including a connecting portion for reflecting the movement of the body by swing into the movement of the laser beam.

2. In paragraph 1, It is placed in the above case and further includes a direction control unit for inputting a control command for the irradiation direction of the laser beam, A swing check device in which the processor controls the irradiation direction of the laser beam to be adjusted according to a control command for the irradiation direction.

3. In paragraph 1, It is placed in the above case and further includes a color control unit into which a control command for the color of the laser beam is input, A swing check device, wherein the processor controls the color of the laser beam to be adjusted according to a control command for the color.

4. In paragraph 1, When placed in the above case, it further includes a mode selection unit for inputting a selection command for any one of a plurality of modes, The above multiple modes include a vibration mode, a sound mode, a size adjustment mode of the laser beam, and a sensitivity adjustment mode, A swing check device that controls the processor to set a mode corresponding to the selection command among the plurality of modes.

5. In paragraph 1, A swing check device, wherein the above-mentioned connecting portion is an opening through which a belt passes or a clip portion that is fixed to clothing.

6. In paragraph 1, It is placed in the case and further includes an imaging module that detects an image in the direction in which the laser beam is irradiated, The above processor is a swing check device that detects the position of the laser beam from the image.

7. In paragraph 6, A swing check device, wherein the processor controls a notification to be displayed when the difference between the first position of the laser beam and the second position of the laser beam is greater than a threshold value.

8. In paragraph 7, The above first position is the starting position of the laser beam corresponding to the starting point of the swing, A swing check device, wherein the second position is a position to which the laser beam has moved by the backswing.

9. In paragraph 8, A swing check device, wherein the processor sets the position of the laser beam to the starting position when the laser beam is positioned within a critical range for a critical time.

10. In paragraph 7, The above first position is the starting position of the laser beam corresponding to the starting point of the swing, A swing check device, wherein the second position is a position to which the laser beam has moved by a downswing.

11. In paragraph 6, A swing check device, wherein the processor controls a notification to be displayed when the position of the laser beam is not detected after the starting position of the laser beam corresponding to the starting point of the swing is set.

12. In paragraph 10, A swing check device, wherein the processor controls a notification to be displayed when a laser beam that has deviated from the second position is not detected.

13. In paragraph 6, A swing check device that controls the processor to display a notification when a first event occurs in which a ball that was not detected from the image is detected or a second event occurs in which a ball that was not detected from the image is not detected.

14. In paragraph 13, A swing check device, wherein the processor controls different notifications to be displayed when the first event occurs and when the second event occurs.

Images