Foldable launch monitor for golf
View Patent ↗A novel golf ball launch monitor with a foldable design is disclosed. This launch monitor has a bottom housing that is connect to a top housing through a hinge. The top housing contains an image sensor for capturing an image of a golf ball. The top housing may also include a tilt gauge to measure the tilt of the top housing relative to the earth tangential or other reference plane. The monitor may also have a processor to process the images captured by the sensor, and may also include an illumination lamp to illuminate the golf ball and the surrounding environment. A display and/or a speaker may be added to the monitor as a means of outputting the results from the processor to a user of the monitor.
1. A foldable launch monitor, comprising:
a bottom housing;
a top housing;
a hinge connecting the top and bottom housings; and
an image sensor in the top housing whereby when the hinge is in a open position the image sensor is elevated, relative to the bottom housing, to a predetermined position for the image sensor to view a golf ball, and whereby in the predetermined elevated position the image sensor obtains an image of a golf ball.
2. The launch monitor according to claim 1 , further comprising a tilt gauge in the top housing arranged to measure tilt of the image sensor relative to an earth tangential.
3. The launch monitor according to claim 1 , further comprising a processor in the top or bottom housing, whereby the processor processes the image.
4. The launch monitor according to claim 1 , further including a second image sensor in the top housing.
5. The launch monitor according to claim 1 , further including a display.
6. The launch monitor according to claim 1 , further including a tiltable display.
7. The launch monitor according to claim 1 , further including a user input controls in the top or bottom housing.
8. The launch monitor according to claim 1 , further including an acoustic speaker in the top or bottom housing.
9. The launch monitor according to claim 1 , further including a battery in the top or bottom housing.
10. The launch monitor according to claim 1 , further including a rechargeable battery in the top or bottom housing, and a connection for receiving a battery charger.
11. The launch monitor according to claim 1 , whereby the hinge comprises a detent with at least one pre-defined locking position.
12. The launch monitor according to claim 11 , whereby the hinge is adapted to release from the pre-defined locking position when the hinge experiences sufficient force.
13. The launch monitor according to claim 12 , whereby the sufficient force is imparted by an errant golf ball or an errant golf club.
14. The launch monitor according to claim 1 , whereby the hinge is pre-tensioned.
15. The launch monitor according to claim 14 , whereby the hinge is dampened.
16. The launch monitor of claim 1 , further comprising a releasable clasp whereby the clasp releasably binds the top housing to the bottom.
17. The launch monitor of claim 16 , whereby the hinge is pre-tensioned and dampened such that when the clasp is released the launch monitor opens automatically about the hinge.
18. The launch monitor of claim 1 , whereby the bottom housing further comprises at least two legs that may be extended from the bottom housing.
19. The launch monitor of claim 1 , further comprising an illumination lamp in the top or bottom housing.
20. The launch monitor of claim 19 , whereby the illumination lamp further comprises a light emitting diode (LED).
21. The launch monitor of claim 1 , whereby the sensor performs the function of a bar code reader.
22. The launch monitor of claim 3 , whereby the processor is configured to perform an adapted process.
23. The launch monitor of claim 22 , wherein the adapted process is performed automatically upon opening the foldable housing.
24. The launch monitor of claim 22 , wherein the adapted process is a process to detect or identify a golf ball.
25. The launch monitor of claim 22 , wherein the adapted process is a process to provide directional indicators for directing a golfer to move the golf ball to a preferred hitting location
26. The launch monitor of claim 22 , wherein the adapted process is a process to open processing or sensor windows for the sensor.
27. The launch monitor of claim 22 , wherein the adapted process is a process to adapt exposure control for the sensor.
28. The launch monitor of claim 22 , wherein the adapted process is a process to calculate speed or direction of the golf ball after it is hit.
29. The launch monitor of claim 22 , wherein the adapted process is a process to calculate spin of the golf ball after it is hit.
30. The launch monitor of claim 22 , wherein the adapted process is a process to calculate the flight path information.
31. A foldable launch monitor, comprising:
a bottom housing;
a top housing;
a hinge connecting the top and bottom housings;
an image sensor in the top housing, whereby when the hinge in a open position the image sensor is elevated, relative to the bottom housing, to a predetermined position for the image sensor to view a golf ball, and whereby in the predetermined elevated position the image sensor obtains an image of a golf ball;
a tilt gauge in the top housing arranged to measure tilt of the image sensor housing relative to an earth tangential; and
a processor in the top or bottom housing, whereby the processor processes the images and is configured to calculate the flight parameters of a golf ball.
32. The foldable launch monitor of claim 31 , further comprising an output device, whereby the flight parameters are outputted to a user through the output device.