Launch monitor for dynamic golf object including backing marker and primary fluorescent marker

Abstract

A launch monitor is disclosed herein that uses a backing marker underneath a primary marker applied to a dynamic golf object that is configured to be tracked via the launch monitor. The backing marker can be provided, in one aspect, in order to provide improved contrast for imaging the dynamic golf object. The backing marker can be comprised of a white colorant. The primary marker can be comprised of a fluorescent colorant, which can either fluoresce in the visible light spectrum or the near-infrared or infrared spectrum.

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:
 (i) at least one backing marker comprised of a white colorant, and 
 (ii) at least one primary marker comprised of a fluorescent colorant, 
 wherein the at least one backing marker is applied to an outer surface of the at least one dynamic golf object and the at least one primary marker is applied over the at least one backing marker, 
   the launch monitor system comprising:
 a first light source configured to illuminate the at least one dynamic golf object; 
 a first imager configured to obtain at least one image of the at least one dynamic golf object; 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. 
   
     
     
         2 . The launch monitor system according to  claim 1 , wherein the fluorescent colorant of the at least one primary marker is configured to:
 absorb light from the first light source at least within a first wavelength range, and   emit light towards the first imager at least within a second wavelength range that includes wavelengths that are longer than wavelengths in the first wavelength range.   
     
     
         3 . The launch monitor system according to  claim 2 , wherein the first wavelength range is in the visible light range, and the second wavelength range is in the near-infrared or infrared light range. 
     
     
         4 . The launch monitor system according to  claim 2 , wherein the first wavelength range is in the visible light range, and the second wavelength range is in visible light range. 
     
     
         5 . The launch monitor system according to  claim 1 , wherein the dynamic golf object is a white golf ball. 
     
     
         6 . The launch monitor system according to  claim 1 , wherein the dynamic golf object is a non-white golf ball. 
     
     
         7 . The launch monitor system according to  claim 1 , wherein the dynamic golf object is a golf club. 
     
     
         8 . The launch monitor system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one backing marker is applied via pad printing. 
     
     
         9 . The launch monitor system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one primary marker is applied via pad printing. 
     
     
         10 . The launch monitor system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one backing marker and the at least one primary marker each have a circular profile. 
     
     
         11 . The launch monitor system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one backing marker has a first area, and the at least one primary marker has a second area, and the first area is greater than the second area. 
     
     
         12 . The launch monitor system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one backing marker has a first area, and the at least one primary marker has a second area, and the first area is identical to the second area. 
     
     
         13 . The launch monitor system according to  claim 1 , wherein the fluorescent colorant of the at least one primary marker is semi-transparent or semi-translucent. 
     
     
         14 . The launch monitor system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one dynamic golf object is a golf ball, and the 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 another 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.   
     
     
         15 . A method of generating kinematic information regarding a dynamic golf object via a launch monitor, the method comprising:
 applying at least one backing marker comprised of a white colorant to the dynamic golf object;   applying at least one primary marker comprised of a fluorescent colorant to the dynamic golf object, such that the at least one primary marker at least partially overlaps with the at least one backing marker;   illuminating, via a first light source, the dynamic golf object with light;   obtaining, via a first imager, at least one image of the dynamic golf object; 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.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the fluorescent colorant of the at least one primary marker is configured to:
 absorb light from the first light source at least within a first wavelength range, and   emit light towards the first imager at least within a second wavelength range that includes wavelengths that are longer than wavelengths in the first wavelength range.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the first wavelength range is in the visible light range, and the second wavelength range is in the near-infrared or infrared light range. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the first wavelength range is in the visible light range, and the second wavelength range is in visible light range. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the dynamic golf object is a non-white golf ball. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the at least one backing marker is applied via pad printing, and the at least one primary marker is applied via pad printing.