Virtual Golf Club Path Image Generation Using Single Camera

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing virtual golf simulation systems require a separate camera to capture the head path of a golf club, increasing costs and complexity, and failing to effectively provide the club path image without this camera.

Innovation Solution

A device and method that utilize a single camera system with a camera control unit to set regions of interest before and after a golf ball is hit, generating a club path image by stitching mat segmentation images to the camera's image information, eliminating the need for a separate camera.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate camera is used to photograph the head path of the golf club, then the club path image can be provided to the user, but the cost and device complexity of the virtual golf simulation system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclub path image provisionVSAvoidcamera system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The existing camera system that was originally designed to capture only the golf ball is made to perform multiple functions by adding image processing capabilities that extract and generate club path images from the same camera footage, eliminating the need for a dedicated club path camera

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

An image processing unit is introduced as an intermediary component that processes the raw footage from the existing camera to generate club path images, serving as a mediator between the camera and the display system without requiring additional cameras

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a separate camera is used to photograph the head path of the golf club, then the club path image can be provided to the user, but the cost of the virtual golf simulation system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclub path image provisionVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The existing camera system is made multi-functional by enhancing its processing capabilities to extract club path information, avoiding the need to manufacture and install additional expensive camera equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The club path image is generated as a processed copy or derivative of the original camera footage through image processing algorithms, rather than requiring a separate physical camera to capture it directly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Device complexity

If no separate camera is provided, then the cost and complexity are reduced, but the head path of the golf club is not effectively provided to the user

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera systemVSAvoidclub path information

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical solution of adding a physical camera is replaced with an information processing solution that uses image processing algorithms to extract club path data from existing camera footage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The image processing unit acts as an intermediary that recovers and extracts the club path information that is present in the camera footage but not directly visible, preventing information loss without adding hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250050166A1Method and device for providing club path image

Publication Date: 2025.02.13 VIEWORKS CO LTD

AI summary

Described are a method and a device for providing an image of a path of a club hitting a golf ball in a virtual golf simulation system. The device for providing a club path image includes: a camera control unit for controlling a camera sensor including a first camera acquiring image information of at least a portion of a golf mat; an image acquiring unit for acquiring an image photographed by the first camera; and a club path image generating unit for receiving an image of the first camera from the image acquiring unit and generating a club path image of a path of a golf club hitting a golf ball placed on the golf mat.