A golf equipment fitting system that uses advanced technology to not only objectively identify the optimum equipment for the golfer, but to also identify and help correct swing flaws so that the golfer can achieve optimum performance on the golf course. Thus, in one embodiment, golf fitting includes collecting data related to the golfer's swing and determining if the golfer's swing technique should be modified based at least in part on the collected swing data. When it is determined that the golfer's swing technique should be modified, then providing swing instruction to the golfer. When, however, it is determined that the golfer's swing technique is fine, then collecting data related to how the golfer's swing launches a golf ball. Finally, golf equipment, e.g., golf clubs, can be specified based on the collected swing data and launch data.

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for identifying the location of a striker of an object, includes, in at least one aspect, a method including initiating an audio recording by a microphone of a mobile computing device operated by a striker located in a striking area having space for two or more strikers to strike objects into a target area; identifying a physical location in the striking area and a first strike time determination for an object struck from the striking area based on sensor observations of the object in flight between the striking area and the target area; identifying a second strike time determination in data of the audio recording; and associating the physical location with the mobile computing device when the second strike time determination is matched with the first strike time determination.

A system and method for tracking the flight of golf balls at driving range. The invention includes a plurality of hitting stations, a plurality of sensors, a computer, and a range surface. Each hitting station in the plurality of hitting stations includes a golf ball, a golf club, a monitor, and a sensor. At least one other sensor in the plurality of sensors is placed outside the hitting station. The flight path of the golf ball is calculated by the computer using parameters by the plurality of sensors. The method includes steps for determining whether a first sensor detected a first parameter and a second parameter, whether a second sensor detected a first and a second parameter, whether a third sensor detected a third parameter, and depicting the flight path of the golf balls using the first parameter, the second parameter, and the third parameter.

A golf simulation system includes imaging devices capturing images of a projectile tracking region in front of a display surface from different vantages to detect a launched projectile traveling through the projectile tracking region towards the display surface. A projectile spin sensing unit captures images of a region at least partially overlapping with the projectile tracking region, and each captured image includes a projectile trail representing a travel path of the projectile. A processing stage receives data from the imaging devices and the projectile spin sensing unit and determines the three-dimensional positions, velocity, acceleration and spin of the projectile, and the three-dimensional positions, velocity, acceleration and spin are used by the processing stage to calculate a trajectory of the launched projectile into a presented golf scene.

A sports simulator calculates spin of a sports object using image analysis. A velocity vector is also calculated. These are combined to produce a predicted future trajectory of the sports object. In one embodiment, the sports object is a golf ball and the sports simulator simulates golf.

A sports simulator calculates the rotational and translational velocity of a sports object. The rotational velocity is calculated using image analysis. The translational velocity is calculated using image analysis and a set of emitters and sensors. The simulator then computes the future trajectory of the sports object based on the rotational and translational velocity. In one embodiment, the sports object is a golf ball and the sports simulator simulates golf.

The present invention relates to a system and method for photographing a moving subject by means of a camera, and acquiring the actual movement trajectory of the subject on the basis of the photographed image. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for acquiring the movement trajectory of a subject, the method comprising: a step for photographing a moving subject by means of a camera; a step for collecting, from the camera, information on multiple images of the subject and the positions of the images on a camera image frame, and collecting information on the size of the images; and a step for acquiring the movement trajectory of the subject on the basis of the information collected.

Implementations of the present invention provide systems and methods for providing a golfer putting information. Preferred embodiments may provide a golfer with optimal ball trajectory, including the initial path the ball should be stuck on, point to which the ball should be struck and optimal force with which the ball should be struck. In preferred embodiments a golfer utilizes a mobile putting device, which may be placed anywhere on or around a putting surface, where a putting surface may be any suitable environment for striking a golf ball with a putter. Preferred embodiments of the putting device are structured to allow alignment with the cup and/or stationary object, indicate where the ball should be placed, indicate the optimal line on which the ball should be struck and the computed force with which the ball should be struck. Some embodiments are structured to provide a golfer with feedback on the distance a practice swing would move the ball if struck, or after an actual putt, how hard the ball was hit with respect to the calculated target.

In response to detecting a user hitting a pitched ball, a batting simulator system is configured to provide data such as batting average, slugging percentage, and exit ball velocity and distance in real-time. Furthermore, the batting simulator system can both display a trajectory of the hit ball in a virtual stadium and provide the results of the ball hit (e.g., groundout, double, home run, etc.) in real-time. The batting simulator system can store and later output these results to the player to allow the player or a coach to identify hitting tendencies and optimize swing mechanics over the course of one hitting session or over an entire season.

Systems and methods are disclosed for providing storage at indoor golf driving ranges. In various embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods permit golfers to store their baggage in close proximity to the golfers while the golfers practice their swing.