Methods, Apparatus And Computer Program Products For Processing Images Of A Golf Ball

Abstract

Methods, apparatus and computer program products are provided for capturing and thereafter analyzing the images of a golf ball in a manner that permits various parameters associated with a golf shot, including the backspin and sidespin of the golf ball, to be reliably determined. Further, the method, apparatus and computer program product may be configured to separately calibrate each image that is captured in a timely manner.

1 . A method of identifying pixels representative of a golf ball within an image, comprising: 
 constructing a distribution of pixel values from a smallest pixel value to a largest pixel value; and    identifying a predefined number of pixels that are closest in value to one of the smallest pixel value and the largest pixel value to be representative of the golf ball.    
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein constructing the distribution comprises constructing the distribution based upon all of the pixels within the image.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein identifying the predefined number of pixels comprises identifying a predefined number of pixels based upon the number of pixels representative of the golf ball.  
   
   
       4 . A method of detecting an edge of a golf ball within an image, comprising: 
 determining an approximation of the edge of the golf ball;    evaluating respective pixel values of pixels extending in a radial direction both interior and exterior of the approximation of the edge of the golf ball to determine an edge location based upon a predefined relationship between the pixel values of adjacent pixels; and    determining the edge of the golf ball based upon a plurality of edge locations at different respective radial positions about at least a portion of the circumference of the golf ball.    
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 4  wherein evaluating respective pixel values comprises evaluating average pixel values of adjacent groups of pixels in the radial direction.  
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 4  further comprising repeating the evaluation of the respective pixel values for different groups of pixels extending in the radial direction.  
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 4  wherein determining the edge of the golf ball comprises constructing a plurality of candidate edges, each edge represented by a circle including at least three edge locations.  
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein determining the edge of the golf ball comprises selecting the edge of the golf ball based upon the plurality of candidate edges.  
   
   
       9 . A method of calibrating an image of a golf ball, comprising: 
 capturing the image of the golf ball;    determining a diameter of the golf ball and a number of pixels within the image that represent the golf ball;    determining a scale of the image based upon the diameter of the golf ball and the number of pixels that represent the golf ball; and    determining at least one parameter associated with a flight of the golf ball based upon the scale of the image.    
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 9  further comprising repeating said determining steps for each image that is captured.  
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein capturing the image comprises capturing first and second images of the golf ball at different times during flight of the golf ball, and wherein determining at least one parameter comprises determining at least one parameter based upon a distance between the first and second images of the golf ball and the scale of the image.  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus for calibrating an image of a golf ball, comprising: 
 processing circuitry for: (i) receiving the image of the golf ball, (ii) determining a diameter of the golf ball and a number of pixels within the image that represent the golf ball, (iii) determining a scale of the image based upon the diameter of the golf ball and the number of pixels that represent the golf ball, and (iv) determining at least one parameter associated with a flight of the golf ball based upon the scale of the image.    
   
   
       13 . An apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein said processing circuitry repeating said determining steps for each image that is received.  
   
   
       14 . An apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein said processing circuitry receives first and second images of the golf ball at different times during flight of the golf ball, and wherein said processing circuitry determines at least one parameter based upon a distance between the first and second images of the golf ball and the scale of the image.  
   
   
       15 . A computer program product for calibrating an image of a golf ball, the computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program portions comprising: 
 a first executable portion for receiving the image of the golf ball;    a second executable portion for determining a diameter of the golf ball and a number of pixels within the image that represent the golf ball;    a third executable portion for determining a scale of the image based upon the diameter of the golf ball and the number of pixels that represent the golf ball; and    a fourth executable portion for determining at least one parameter associated with a flight of the golf ball based upon the scale of the image.    
   
   
       16 . A computer program product according to  claim 15  wherein said first executable portion receives first and second images of the golf ball at different times during flight of the golf ball, and wherein said fourth executable portion determines at least one parameter based upon a distance between the first and second images of the golf ball and the scale of the image.