Launch monitor for dynamic golf object using near-infrared or infrared imaging and fluorescent marker

Abstract

A launch monitor is disclosed herein that relies on near-infrared or infrared light. In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a fluorescent near-infrared or infrared marker or marking for use with a dynamic golf object in order to obtain kinematic information for the dynamic golf object. The launch monitor can further include a near-infrared or infrared camera for obtaining at least one image of the dynamic golf object. In yet another aspect, a method of generating kinematic information regarding a dynamic golf object via a launch monitor is also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A launch monitor system configured to monitor at least one dynamic golf object, wherein the at least one dynamic golf object includes at least one first marker comprised of a first fluorescent colorant,
 the launch monitor system comprising:
 a first light source configured to illuminate the at least one dynamic golf object with light at a first wavelength range; 
 a first imager configured to obtain at least one image of the at least one dynamic golf object, the first imager being configured to capture light at a second wavelength range, wherein the second wavelength range is in the near-infrared or infrared range, and the second wavelength range includes wavelengths that are longer than wavelengths in the first wavelength range; and 
 a first processor in communication with the first imager, the first processor being configured to generate kinematic information regarding the at least one dynamic golf object based on the at least one image from the first imager, 
   wherein the first fluorescent colorant on the at least one dynamic golf object is configured to:
 absorb light from the first light source at least within the first wavelength range, and 
 emit light towards the first imager at least within the second wavelength range. 
   
     
     
         2 . The launch monitor system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first imager is comprised of a first imager configured to detect light at the second wavelength range. 
     
     
         3 . The launch monitor system according to  claim 2 , wherein the first imager is a near-infrared or infrared imager. 
     
     
         4 . The launch monitor system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first imager further comprises a band-pass filter. 
     
     
         5 . The launch monitor system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first light source is comprised of a first light source configured to emit light at the first wavelength range. 
     
     
         6 . The launch monitor system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first light source is a near-infrared or infrared light source. 
     
     
         7 . The launch monitor system according to  claim 6 , wherein the near-infrared or infrared light source is a near-infrared or infrared light emitting diode. 
     
     
         8 . The launch monitor system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first light source is comprised of a flash tube and a filter that is configured to filter light emitted from the flash tube having a wavelength below the second wavelength range. 
     
     
         9 . The launch monitor system according to  claim 8 , wherein the flash tube is a xenon light flash tube. 
     
     
         10 . The launch monitor system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one dynamic golf object is comprised of a non-white golf ball. 
     
     
         11 . The launch monitor system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one dynamic golf object is comprised of a white golf ball. 
     
     
         12 . The launch monitor system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one dynamic golf object is a golf ball, and the first fluorescent colorant is configured to emit light having a wavelength in a near-infrared or infrared light range, and
 the golf ball further comprises at least one second marker comprised of a second fluorescent colorant that is configured to emit light having a wavelength in a visible light range, and   the golf ball further comprises at least one third marker comprised of a black colorant.   
     
     
         13 . The launch monitor system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one dynamic golf object is comprised of a golf ball, and wherein the launch monitor system is further configured to monitor a golf club including at least one first golf club marker comprised of a second fluorescent colorant,
 wherein the launch monitor system further comprises:
 a second light source configured to illuminate the golf club with light at a third wavelength range; 
 a second imager configured to obtain at least one image of the golf club, the second imager being configured to capture light at a fourth wavelength range, wherein the fourth wavelength range is in the near-infrared or infrared range, and the fourth wavelength range includes wavelengths that are longer than wavelengths in the third wavelength range; and 
 a second processor in communication with the second imager, the second processor being configured to generate kinematic information regarding the golf club based on the at least one image from the second imager, 
   wherein the second fluorescent colorant on the golf club is configured to:
 absorb light at least within the third wavelength range, and 
 emit light at least within the fourth wavelength range. 
   
     
     
         14 . The launch monitor system according to  claim 13 , wherein the golf ball further includes at least one secondary golf ball marker comprised of the second fluorescent colorant, and the second light source is further configured to illuminate the golf ball with light at the third wavelength range. 
     
     
         15 . The launch monitor system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one dynamic golf object is comprised of a golf ball, and wherein the launch monitor system is further configured to monitor a golf club including at least one first golf club marker comprised of a second fluorescent colorant,
 wherein the launch monitor system further comprises:
 a second light source configured to illuminate the golf club with light at a third wavelength range; 
 a second imager configured to obtain at least one image of the golf club, the second imager being configured to capture light at a fourth wavelength range, wherein the fourth wavelength range is in the visible light range, and the fourth wavelength range includes wavelengths that are longer than wavelengths in the third wavelength range; and 
 a second processor in communication with the second imager, the second processor being configured to generate kinematic information regarding the golf club based on the at least one image from the second imager, 
   wherein the second fluorescent colorant on the golf club is configured to:
 absorb light at least within the third wavelength range, and 
 emit light at least within the fourth wavelength range. 
   
     
     
         16 . A launch monitor system configured to monitor a golf club and a golf ball,
 wherein the golf ball includes at least one first golf ball marker comprised of a first fluorescent colorant and at least one second golf ball marker comprised of a second fluorescent colorant,   wherein the golf club includes at least one first golf club marker comprised of the second fluorescent colorant;   the launch monitor comprising:
 a golf ball launch monitor assembly including:
 a first light source configured to illuminate the golf ball with light at a first wavelength range; 
 a first imager configured to obtain at least one image of the golf ball, the first imager being configured to capture light at a second wavelength range, wherein the second wavelength range is in the near-infrared or infrared range, and the second wavelength range includes wavelengths that are longer than wavelengths in the first wavelength range; and 
 a first processor in communication with the first imager, the first processor being configured to generate kinematic information regarding the golf ball based on the at least one image from the first imager; and 
 
 a golf club launch monitor assembly including:
 a second light source configured to illuminate the golf club with light at a third wavelength range; 
 a second imager configured to obtain at least one image of the golf club, the second imager being configured to capture light at a fourth wavelength range, wherein the fourth wavelength range is in the near-infrared or infrared range, and the fourth wavelength range includes wavelengths that are longer than wavelengths in the third wavelength range; and 
 a second processor in communication with the second imager, the second processor being configured to generate kinematic information regarding the golf club based on the at least one image from the second imager, 
 
   wherein the first fluorescent colorant on the golf ball is configured to:
 absorb light at least within the first wavelength range, and 
 emit light at least within the second wavelength range; and 
   wherein the second fluorescent colorant on the golf ball and the golf club is configured to:
 absorb light at least within the third wavelength range, and 
 emit light at least within the fourth wavelength range. 
   
     
     
         17 . The launch monitor system according to  claim 16 , wherein the golf ball is a non-white golf ball. 
     
     
         18 . The launch monitor system according to  claim 16 , wherein the first light source is a near-infrared or infrared light source, or a near-infrared or infrared light emitting diode. 
     
     
         19 . The launch monitor system according to  claim 16 , wherein the first light source is comprised of a flash tube, and a filter that is configured to filter light emitted from the flash tube having a wavelength below the second wavelength range. 
     
     
         20 . A method of generating kinematic information regarding a dynamic golf object via a launch monitor, the method comprising:
 applying at least one first marker comprised of a first fluorescent colorant to the dynamic golf object;   illuminating, via a first light source, the dynamic golf object with light at a first wavelength range, wherein the first wavelength range is within the visible light range of the electromagnetic spectrum;   obtaining, via a first imager, at least one image of the dynamic golf object, wherein the first imager is configured to capture light at a second wavelength range, wherein the second wavelength range is within the near-infrared or infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum, and the second wavelength range includes wavelengths that are longer than wavelengths in the first wavelength range; and   generating, via a processor, kinematic information regarding the at least one dynamic golf object based on the at least one image from the first imager,
 wherein the first fluorescent colorant on the at least one dynamic golf object is configured to: (i) absorb visible light from the first light source at least within the first wavelength range, and (ii) emit near-infrared or infrared light towards the first imager at least within the second wavelength range, and 
 wherein the first light source is comprised of a flash tube, and a filter that is configured to filter light emitted from the flash tube having a wavelength below the second wavelength range, and the first imager is a near-infrared or infrared imager.