Ir system for kinematic analysis

Abstract

An infrared method and apparatus for the kinematic analysis of a golfer is disclosed. The method includes selectively positioning a plurality of infrared markers on a golfer, and optionally on a golf club. Images of the golfer may be acquired before, during, and after he/she swings the golf club. The images may be analyzed to determine the kinematic characteristics of the movement of the golfer's body parts. A kinematic analysis of the golfer's body parts may then be correlated with a kinematic analysis of the golf club. The method and apparatus disclosed herein provide the advantage of allowing a golfer's movement to be correlated with a kinematic analysis of their golf swing while minimizing the physical restrictions on the golfer's movement.

1 . An apparatus for correlating the body movement of a golfer with a kinematic analysis of at least one of golf club swing and golf ball trajectory comprising:
 a plurality of infrared markers selectively positioned on the golfer and at least one of the golf club and golf ball;   a light generator capable of projecting infrared light onto the plurality of infrared markers;   an image acquisition device capable of imaging light reflected by the infrared markers; and   a processor for correlating the movement of different parts of the golfer's body with a kinematic analysis of the golf club based on the infrared markers.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the image acquisition device acquires images of a first plurality of markers positioned on the golfer when the golfer is substantially motionless and a second plurality of markers are positioned on the golfer when the golfer is in motion, wherein the amount of the first plurality of markers is greater than the amount of the second plurality of markers. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the image acquisition device comprises a digital camera including a charge-coupled device. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the image acquisition device is capable of acquiring at least about 500 frames/second or greater. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the image acquisition device is capable of acquiring at least about 1000 frames/second or greater. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least two force plates. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising between about 4 and about 12 image acquisition devices. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of infrared markers comprises about 45 infrared markers or greater. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a protective shield. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one of a display device and an input device. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for correlating a golfer's body movement with a golf club swing, comprising:
 a first plurality of infrared markers selectively positioned on the golfer;   a second plurality of infrared markers selectively positioned on the golf club;   a third plurality of infrared markers selectively positioned on the golfer;   a light generator capable of projecting infrared light onto the plurality of infrared markers;   an image acquisition device capable of imaging light reflected by the first, second, and third pluralities of infrared markers; and   a processor for correlating the movement of different parts of the golfer's body with a kinematic analysis of the golf club based on the infrared markers.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the image acquisition device acquires images of the first plurality of markers when the golfer is substantially motionless and the second plurality of markers are positioned on the golfer when the golfer is in motion, wherein the amount of the first plurality of markers is greater than the amount of the second plurality of markers. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the first and third pluralities of infrared markers are visible. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the second plurality of infrared markers are visible. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and third pluralities of infrared markers are invisible. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the second plurality of infrared markers are invisible. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the processor is capable of calculating a difference in timing of movement of a first part of the golfer's body and a second part of the golfer's body. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus for correlating the body movement of a golfer with a kinematic analysis of at least one of golf club swing and golf ball trajectory comprising:
 a first plurality of infrared markers selectively positioned on the golfer;   a second plurality of infrared markers selectively positioned on the golf club;   a third plurality of infrared markers selectively positioned on the golf ball;   a fourth plurality of infrared markers selectively positioned on the golfer, wherein the fourth plurality is present in an amount that is less than the first plurality;   a light generator capable of projecting infrared light onto the plurality of infrared markers;   an image acquisition device capable of imaging light reflected by the first, second, third, and fourth pluralities of infrared markers, wherein the image acquisition device acquires images of the first plurality of markers when the golfer is substantially motionless and the fourth plurality of markers are positioned on the golfer when the golfer is in motion; and   a processor for correlating the movement of different parts of the golfer's body with a kinematic analysis of the golf club based on the infrared markers.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the processor is capable of calculating a difference in timing of movement of a first part of the golfer's body and a second part of the golfer's body. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the image acquisition device is capable of acquiring at least about 1000 frames/second or greater.