Golf Ball Spin Calculation via Natural Feature Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for accurately calculating the spin of a moving golf ball are either slow and expensive due to the need for ultra-high speed cameras and specific markers or complex and time-consuming due to image analysis of arbitrary features, making them unsuitable for low-cost, rapid spin calculation in screen golf systems.
Innovation Solution
A device and method using an infrared or camera sensing system to capture motion data of the golf club and ball, coupled with a database to rapidly calculate motion parameters and spin information, allowing for high-accuracy spin calculation without the need for expensive equipment or complex image analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If radar sensor is used to measure ball spin, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive radar sensors with a camera-based optical system to measure ball spin. The camera captures images of the ball at different positions, and spin is calculated by tracking the movement of natural features on the ball surface, eliminating the need for complex mechanical or electromagnetic sensing devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy of the ball's surface features through camera imaging. By capturing and analyzing images of natural ball features (dimples, seams, logos), the system replicates the information that would otherwise require direct physical sensing, enabling spin measurement through image processing rather than direct measurement.
2Measurement precision
If ultra-high speed camera with specific marker is used, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses only a few key frames (partial action) rather than analyzing every frame captured by ultra-high speed cameras. By selecting specific positions (e.g., impact point, apex, landing point) and analyzing images at these moments, the system achieves accurate spin measurement with fewer computational steps, significantly improving processing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-identifies natural features on the ball surface that can be used as tracking markers. Instead of requiring artificial markers to be applied to each ball, the system recognizes and tracks pre-existing features (dimples, seams, logos), eliminating the time-consuming process of marker application and setup.
3Ease of operation
If image analysis of arbitrary features is used, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates specific natural features on the ball surface for tracking purposes. By identifying and focusing on key features (such as the position and orientation of dimples, seams, or logos) rather than analyzing the entire ball surface, the system simplifies the computation while maintaining accuracy, thus improving processing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from analyzing complex arbitrary features to tracking specific geometric parameters of natural features (position, orientation, shape). By defining spin measurement in terms of changes in these parameters between key frames, the system achieves both simplicity and speed.
4Measurement precision
If specific marker is formed on every golf ball, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the ball to serve its own measurement function by utilizing its natural surface features. Each ball's unique pattern of dimples, seams, and logos becomes its own tracking marker, eliminating the need for external marking operations. The ball essentially measures itself through its inherent characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal measurement approach that works with any standard golf ball regardless of its specific design. The system can track any natural feature present on the ball, making the method universally applicable to all golf balls without requiring ball-specific customization or marking.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables rapid and accurate calculation of motion parameters and spin information of a golf ball, such as launch angle, speed, and spin, using a simple database-driven approach, suitable for virtual golf simulations and screen golf systems.
Implementation Method 1
sensing information about a motion of the golf club and a motion of the ball
Implementation Method 2
camera sensing type device
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a device for calculating flight information of a ball and a method of calculating flight information of a ball that are capable of rapidly calculating the motion parameters of a ball and a golf club using an infrared sensing type device or a camera sensing type device and very rapidly calculating spin information of the ball corresponding to the calculated motion parameters with high accuracy through a simple calculation with reference to database type information about the calculated motion parameters, and a computing-device-readable recording medium having the method recorded therein.