System, method and computer program product for simulating the flight path of a ball

Abstract

A system, method and computer program product are provided in which the initial sidespin of a ball is measured such that the resulting flight path of the ball may be simulated more accurately. In this regard, a plurality of initial conditions of the ball, including sidespin, are measured, such as by a sensor including, for example, at least one camera that captures at least two images of the ball. The flight path of the ball is then determined, such as by means of a computing device, based upon the initial conditions including measurement of the ball spin. A representation of the resulting flight path is then created, again typically by means of the computing device.

1 . A method for simulating a flight path of a ball comprising: 
 measuring a plurality of initial conditions of the ball including sidespin of the ball;    determining the flight path of the ball at least partially based upon the initial conditions including measurement of the sidespin; and    creating a representation of the resulting flight path.    
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein measuring the plurality of initial conditions comprises measuring backspin of the ball, and wherein determining the flight path of the ball comprises determining the flight path of the ball based upon measurement of the backspin.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1  further comprising presenting an image of the resulting flight path.  
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 1  further comprising: 
 creating a simulated environmental image based upon the resulting flight path; and    presenting the simulated environmental image concurrent with the image of the resulting flight path.    
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein measuring the plurality of initial conditions comprises capturing at least two images of the ball.  
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 1  further comprising limiting the flight path of the ball.  
   
   
       7 . A system for simulating a flight path of a ball comprising: 
 a sensor for measuring a plurality of initial conditions of the ball including sidespin of the ball; and    a computing device for determining the flight path of the ball at least partially based upon the initial conditions including measurement of the sidespin, said computing device also creating a representation of the resulting flight path.    
   
   
       8 . A system according to  claim 7  wherein said sensor comprises at least one camera for capturing at least two images of the ball.  
   
   
       9 . A system according to  claim 7  wherein said sensor also measures backspin of the ball, and wherein said computing device is capable of determining the flight path of the ball based upon measurement of the backspin.  
   
   
       10 . A system according to  claim 7  further comprising a display, responsive to said computing device, for presenting an image of the resulting flight path.  
   
   
       11 . A system according to  claim 10  further comprising a memory for storing data representative of simulated environmental images, wherein said computing device is also capable of creating a simulated environmental image based upon the resulting flight path, and wherein said display is also capable of presenting the simulated environmental image concurrent with the image of the resulting flight path.  
   
   
       12 . A system according to  claim 7  further comprising at least one of a screen or a net into which the ball is hit.  
   
   
       13 . A computer program product for simulating a flight path of a ball, the computer program product comprising at least one computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program code portions comprising: 
 a first executable portion capable of receiving measurements of a plurality of initial conditions of the ball including sidespin of the ball;    a second executable portion capable of determining the flight path of the ball at least partially based upon the initial conditions including measurement of the sidespin; and    a third executable portion capable of creating a representation of the resulting flight path.    
   
   
       14 . A computer program product according to  claim 13  wherein said first executable portion is further capable of receiving a measurement of backspin of the ball, and wherein said second executable portion is further capable of determining the flight path of the ball based upon measurement of the backspin.  
   
   
       15 . A computer program product according to  claim 13  further comprising a fourth executable portion capable of driving a display to present an image of the resulting flight path.  
   
   
       16 . A computer program product according to  claim 15  further comprising: 
 a fifth executable portion capable of creating a simulated environmental image based upon the resulting flight path; and    a sixth executable portion capable of driving a display to present the simulated environmental image concurrent with the image of the resulting flight path.