Golf Ball Spin Estimation Using Club Parameters and Trajectory Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the spin of a golf ball in flight, such as using Doppler radar and camera tracking, often produce inaccurate spin values due to multiplicity errors, aliasing effects, noisy signals, and sensor resolution limitations, leading to multiple spin candidates.
Innovation Solution
A method that combines observed golf ball trajectory data with probability calculations based on golf club parameters, including launch angle, ball speed, and club speed, to determine the most probable spin candidate by comparing measured data with simulated trajectories using physics models and adjusting probabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If Doppler radar and camera tracking are used to measure ball spin, then spin measurement capability is provided, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to multiplicity errors, aliasing effects, and noisy signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter space by introducing club parameters (club type, launch conditions) as additional dimensions for spin determination. Instead of relying solely on direct radar/camera spin measurements, the system transforms the problem into comparing observed trajectory parameters against a database of simulated trajectories with known spin values, thereby overcoming the limitations of direct measurement methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces simulated trajectories as an intermediary between the observed ball flight and the spin determination. Rather than directly measuring spin from noisy radar/camera data, the system uses simulated trajectories with known spin values as a reference framework, matching observed trajectories to the closest simulated ones to infer spin, thus mediating the measurement process through a more reliable comparison mechanism
2Productivity
If optimization algorithms are used to determine spin from measured data, then spin estimation is achieved, but accuracy deteriorates due to multiple spin candidates and aliasing effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-generating a comprehensive database of simulated trajectories with known spin values and club parameters before actual measurement. This pre-computed reference framework allows rapid matching of observed trajectories without requiring complex real-time optimization, thereby maintaining productivity while improving accuracy through comparison against predetermined reference data
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates copies of idealized ball flights through simulated trajectories that represent known spin conditions. Instead of directly measuring spin from potentially ambiguous observed data, the system compares the observed trajectory against multiple copied reference trajectories with known spin values, selecting the best match. This copying approach provides a more reliable determination than direct optimization from noisy measurements
3Device complexity
If hardware with limited resolution is used to capture ball velocity and spin data, then system complexity is reduced, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to noisy signals and negative signal-to-noise ratios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simulated trajectories as an intermediary that bridges the gap between limited-resolution hardware measurements and accurate spin determination. The simulation framework incorporates detailed physics models that can interpret noisy observed data more accurately than direct measurement, acting as a mediator that extracts reliable spin information even from low-quality sensor inputs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes from directly measuring spin (which requires high-resolution, complex hardware) to measuring trajectory parameters (position, velocity, acceleration) that can be captured by simpler hardware, then deriving spin from these parameters through comparison with simulated data. This parameter transformation enables accurate spin determination using less complex sensing equipment
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
This approach accurately selects the most likely spin candidate among multiple possibilities, enhancing the accuracy of spin measurement and reducing the precision requirements of radar and camera systems, thereby improving training and entertainment applications.
Implementation Method 1
the processing of the Doppler radar signal is focused on extracting the doppler frequency shift of the reflected radar signal from the moving golf ball. The frequency shift is proportional to the ball speed.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for determining spin of a golf ball in flight. At least a portion of an observed trajectory of the golf ball and one or more parameters associated with the trajectory are obtained. The parameters are selected from launch angle, ball speed, club speed and ball carry. Two or more spin candidates are obtained for the golf ball. Each spin candidate has an associated probability. A most probable used golf club for launching the golf ball into the observed trajectory is determined by matching the observed parameters with parameters for two or more different golf clubs. Ball spin probability data are obtained for the most probable used golf club. The spin of the golf ball is the most probable spin candidate, based on the ball spin probability data and the observed trajectory. The determined spin of the golf ball is displayed on a display device.