Golf Ball Spin Measurement Using Feature Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring the spin of a moving golf ball are cumbersome and inaccurate due to the need for specific patterns on the ball, which can fade or be removed, making it difficult to measure spin using high-speed cameras.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that acquire and process images of a moving ball to extract feature portions such as logos, trademarks, scratches, or stains, allowing for the calculation of spin axis and spin amount without pre-indicated patterns, using a 3D camera and image processing units to normalize and analyze the ball images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a specific pattern is indicated on the ball for spin measurement, then spin calculation can be performed clearly, but it becomes cumbersome to indicate the pattern and the pattern may fade or be removed
Solution Approach 1:
The ball's own pre-existing features (logos, trademarks, scratches, stains) are utilized for spin measurement instead of requiring external pattern application. The ball serves itself by providing the necessary reference features that are already present on its surface, eliminating the need for additional pattern indication operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention captures images of the ball's existing features through imaging and uses digital image processing to extract and analyze these features. Instead of physically marking the ball, the system creates digital copies of the ball's surface features and performs spin calculation on these digital representations, avoiding physical pattern application entirely.
2Measurement precision
If a specific pattern is indicated on the ball, then spin calculation is possible, but the pattern may become faint or partially removed due to repeated measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The ball's inherent features that are permanently part of its manufacturing or usage history are used as reference markers. These features cannot be removed without damaging the ball itself, ensuring permanent availability for repeated measurements without the reliability issues of temporary patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-existing features on the ball serve multiple purposes: they are both identifying markers for the specific ball and reference features for spin measurement. This dual functionality eliminates the need for separate measurement patterns and ensures consistent availability across multiple uses.
3Speed
If high speed or ultrahigh speed camera is used to capture ball image, then spin measurement is possible, but the equipment becomes very expensive
Solution Approach 1:
Image processing algorithms serve as an intermediary that enables spin measurement from standard-speed camera images. The computational methods extract rotational information by analyzing feature position changes across multiple frames, substituting for the need for expensive high-speed hardware while achieving the same measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical/optical requirement for high-speed cameras with a computational approach using standard cameras and image processing. The spin measurement function is transferred from the hardware domain (high-speed camera mechanics) to the software domain (image processing algorithms), significantly reducing equipment costs.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is measurement of spin by acquiring an image of a moving ball according to hit and analyzing the image, and more particularly, disclosed are a method and apparatus for sensing a moving ball, and an image processing method of a ball image, for measuring spin of the moving ball by rapidly and accurately extracting an unspecified indication such as a logo of a ball manufacturer, a trademark of the ball, a scratch, stain, etc. pre-indicated on the ball, that is, a feature portion in a simple manner, instead of indicating a specific pattern for spin measurement only, and then accurately calculating spin axis and spin amount information of rotation of the ball based on the feature portion.