GOLF TRAINING APPARATUS AND/OR METHOD OF USE THEREOF

Abstract

Golf training apparatus is provided including sensing means provided on, associated with and/or locatable on or with a golf club in use. At least one target means is provided that is detectable by the sensing means in use. The at least one target means is a target different to a golf ball that the golf club is to hit in use and is locatable separate to and remote from the sensing means and/or golf club in use. The golf training apparatus is arranged to detect the at least one target means and, once detected, use the detected position of the at least one target means to calibrate the sensing means, the apparatus and/or calibrate data being generated by the sensing means and/or apparatus in use.

Claims

1. Golf training apparatus, said golf training apparatus including a golf club including a shaft portion and a head portion located at an end of said shaft portion, sensing means provided on, integral with, associated with and/or locatable on or with the head portion of the golf club; and at least one target means for providing a target that is detectable by the sensing means in use, the at least one target means being a target different to a golf ball that the golf club is to hit in use and being locatable separate to and remote from the sensing means and/or golf club in use; characterised in that the sensing means is arranged to detect the position of the at least one target means and, once detected, use the detected position of the at least one target means as an absolute physical reference point or as zero to which one or more parameters subsequently measured by the sensing means one or more further sensing means, one or more associated inertial measurement units (IMUs) and/or data generated by the same are calibrated or re-calibrated relative to in use.

2. Golf training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the absolute physical reference point or zero that any or all other calibrations are referenced against can be changed and/or adjusted in use.

3. Golf training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensing means is also arranged to sense one or more parameters other than the at least one target means in use.

4. Golf training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein detection of the at least one target means by the sensing means allows a distance of the sensing means and/or a golf ball from the at least one target means to be measured or calculated and/or calibration of the sensing means includes measuring or calculating the distance of the sensing means and/or a golf ball from the at least one target means.

5. Golf training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensing means are arranged to continuously or substantially continuously search for and/or detect the at least one target means in use and/or the calibration and/or re-calibration of the apparatus, the sensing means and/or one or more other sensing means, takes place live and/or in real time.

6. Golf training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the calibration and/or re-calibration of the apparatus, the sensing means and/or one or more other sensing means, takes place a pre-determined time after the at least one target means has been detected and/or after one or more parameters have been detected by the sensing means.

7. Golf training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensing means, one or more other sensing means and/or the apparatus include timing means and, once the at least one target means has been detected by the sensing means, the timing means is arranged to provide one or more time based markers or time based event markers.

8. Golf training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensing means includes first sensing means and at least second sensing means, and wherein the first sensing means is located or locatable on the head portion of the golf club and the at least second sensing means is located or locatable in a different position to the first sensing means on or in the apparatus, the golf club, the golf ball on or with a user of the application; is located a spaced distance apart and/or remote to the first sensing means; is arranged to sense one or more different parameters to the first sensing means; and/or relate to different golf training systems.

9. Golf training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensing means, the first sensing means and/or the at least second sensing means is any sensing means that allows sensing of its position relative to the at least one target means in use; is optical sensing means, ultrasonic sensing means, magnetic sensing means, radio wave sensing means, laser sensing means, one or more optical sensor arrays; one or more linear optical sensor arrays; one or more image capturing devices, one or more cameras, one or more video cameras; and/or one or more image streaming devices.

10. Golf training apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first sensing means is used for detecting the target and the at least second sensing means is in the form of or includes one or more inertia measuring units (IMUs), global positioning systems, optical sensing means, environmental, multi-dimensional performance space, geographical terrains, adaptive terrain platform systems, accelerometers and/or golf training systems.

11. Golf training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the one or more parameters being sensed by the sensing means, the one or more other sensing means or apparatus and/or the data being generated by the sensing means, the one or more other sensing means or apparatus includes any or any combination of: distance the sensing means and/or a golf ball is from the at least one target means; time to golf ball impact, time of golf ball flight, rolling resistance, one or more surface artifacts, topography, movement of the golf club; direction of movement of the golf club; direction of movement of a head portion of the golf club; direction of movement of the sensing means is pointing in relative to the at least one target means; speed of movement of the golf club and/or golf club head portion; and position of the golf club and/or golf club head portion relative to the at least one target means; one or more of six degrees of freedom of movement of the user, the golf club or any accessories worn by the user.

12. Golf training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensing means or the first sensing means is aligned or substantially aligned, physically, mechanically and/or visually, with a golf ball impact surface of the head portion of the golf club.

13. Golf training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein if alignment between the sensing means, a head portion of the golf club and/or the at least one target means is not possible, a mathematical formula is used to estimate the alignment, at least until alignment becomes possible.

14. Golf training apparatus according to claim 13, wherein once an estimate of alignment has been calculated, this estimated alignment calculation can be used to calibrate or re-calibrate the sensing means.

15. Golf training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensing means is arranged to sense when a golf ball has been impacted via a golf ball impact surface of the golf club in use.

16. Golf training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one target means is one or more optical targets, ultrasonic targets, magnetic targets, laser targets and/or radio frequency targets.

17. Golf training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one target means is portable or substantially portable, movable and/or substantially movable in use.

18. Golf training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one target means includes one or more fiducial markers that can be placed in the field of detection of the sensing means for sensing by the sensing means in use.

19. Golf training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes any or any combination of user actuation means; micro-processing means; data storage means; electrical power supply means; communication means; user feedback means; audio, visual and/or kinaesthetic feedback means and/or can be used in conjunction with other golf training aids, inertia measurement units, golf systems, or adaptive terrain platform systems.

20. A method of using golf training apparatus, said golf training apparatus including a golf club including a shaft portion and a head portion located or locatable at an end of said shaft portion, sensing means provided on, integral with, associated with and/or locatable on or with the head portion of the golf club, and at least one target means, the at least one target means being a target different to a golf ball that the golf club is to hit in use and being locatable separate to and remote from the sensing means and/or golf club in use, said method including the steps of detecting the position of at least one target means by the sensing means; and, once detected, the sensing means using the detected position of the at least one target means as an absolute physical reference point or as zero to which one or more parameters subsequently measured by the sensing means, one or more further sensing means, one or more associated inertial measurement units (IMUs) and/or data generated by the same are calibrated or re-calibrated relative to in use.

Description

[0133] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following figures, wherein:

[0134] FIG. 1 is a simplified view of apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0135] FIG. 2 is a simplified view of apparatus according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

[0136] FIG. 3 is a simplified schematic view of apparatus according to a yet further embodiment of the present invention.

[0137] The present invention relates to golf training apparatus that can be used to bring about an improvement in skill acquisition, movement education and/or the performance of a user or athlete. It can also be used to augment player/user undertaking kinaesthetic imagery of a golf swing task without a golf ball and/or the rehabilitation of the golf swing motor skills. In particular, the apparatus is used to improve the adaptive movement patterns of a user or athlete using theory based, at least in part, on ecological dynamics.

[0138] Ecological dynamics is a scientific framework that looks at how living organisms form processes of action, behaviour and cognition in the environment that the organism is operating in, rather than independently of the organism's environment. This framework has allowed an athlete training method to be developed called Constraints-Led Approach or CLA. The CLA method of training takes a holistic and individual approach to learning by considering the interactions between different constraints; the performer, the environment and the task being performed. The apparatus of the present invention provides a means of prescriptive and/or corrective feedback personal to the athlete/performer in one embodiment but also provides the means to allow use of the CLA training method to allow manipulation of the constraints placed on the athlete/performer in one embodiment.

[0139] The three underlying concepts of the CLA training method are: [0140] a) Interacting constraintsincluding performer constraints, such as for example height, strength, mood or motivation; environmental constraints, such as for example weather, terrain, gravity, obstacles and the like; and task constraints, such as for example, equipment, rules, objectives and the like. [0141] b) Perception-Action Couplingthe learning pathway of an athlete as they link what they see and what they do. [0142] c) Human body self-organization in order to produce functional movement.

[0143] The apparatus of the present invention can be used in either or both an indoor or outdoor environment and provides augmented feedback to a user (also referred to as an athlete or performer) of the apparatus. The feedback can include physically recorded data feedback and/or cognitive feedback. The apparatus can be used to control, challenge and/or adjust one or more of the three underlying concepts in one example.

[0144] The apparatus of the present invention and the feedback produced by the apparatus can be used in a way to improve the adaptive movement of the user or athlete.

[0145] Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated golf training apparatus 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The golf training apparatus 2 is for use on a golf club, which in this illustration is a golf putter 4.

[0146] The golf putter 4 includes a putting shaft portion 6 having a first end 8 and a second opposite end 10. The shaft portion 6 is elongate and is arranged for a golfer to grip the same in their hands adjacent first end 8 in use.

[0147] A head portion 12 is provided at the second end 10 of shaft portion 6. The head portion has a golf ball impact surface 16 for impacting with a golf ball 18 in use.

[0148] The golf training apparatus 2 includes sensing means in the form of a sensing unit 20 that is attached laterally of the head portion 12 via attachment means. In this example, the attachment means is in the form of a band 22 but it will be appreciated that any suitable attachment means could be used to attach the sensing unit to the head portion 12 in use.

[0149] A front surface 24 of the sensing means is aligned or substantially aligned with the golf ball impact surface 16 of the putter head portion 12 such that the entire front surface of the golf ball impact surface and front surface 24 are planar or substantially planar. As such, the sensing means is facing the same direction as the impact surface 16 of the putter head portion 12 in use.

[0150] The sensing unit 20 in this example is an optical sensor in the form of a camera 25, with a camera lens 26 for capturing visual data, images and/or video in use. However, other sensing means could be used.

[0151] The apparatus 2 further includes optical or visual target means in the form of target 28 that is portable and can be moved to a suitable location by a user in use. The target 28 is separate to and independent of the sensing unit 20 and can be moved to a remote location with respect of the sensing unit 20 in use.

[0152] In the illustrated example the target 28 includes a base portion 30 for supporting the target 28 on a ground surface in use and a visual target portion 32 protruding upwardly from the base portion 30. A visual image, which in this example is a bullseye image 34, is provided on the visual target portion. However, other fiduciary markings can be provided on the target portion that are detectable by the camera in use.

[0153] The visual bullseye image 34 is visually distinguishable from the background against which the target 28 is placed in use.

[0154] The target 28 can be a final target the golfer may be trying to hit the golf ball 18 to, such as a putting hole, or it could be an intermediate target that the impact surface 16 of the putter head portion 12 has to face and be aligned with in order for the ball to reach a different final target, such as the arrangement shown in FIG. 2.

[0155] The apparatus 2 can also include micro-processing means 35 for processing the images captured by the camera and for extracting data relating to the position and/or direction of the putter head portion 12 relative to the target means 28, the distance the sensing means is from the target means 28, the speed of movement of the putter head portion 12, the timing of the movement of putter head portion 12 and/or the like. One or more algorithms can be used by the micro-processing means to extract data from the captured images to provide feedback data to the golfer that can be used as a valuable and accurate training tool.

[0156] For example, in use, the camera 25 searches for and detects the fiducial marker 37 on the target 28, as shown in FIG. 3. The camera 25 then locks onto the detected target 28 and, using the micro-processing means 35, calibrates itself to the target, with the target being absolute zero or some other pre-determined calibration value. As such, any other measurements and/or images taken using the apparatus can be calibrated based on the position of the target with respect to the camera 25. A timer can also be provided or associated with the processing means such that the calibration is also undertaken with respect to time in one embodiment. Thus, the apparatus is able to generate temporal data at any one or more point or points within a player's swing or action epoch that is calibrated relative to the target. One or more other sensors, such as for example other IMUs 40, can be used with the apparatus 2 to provide feedback data for a user based on one or more pre-determined measured parameters. The micro-processing means 35 can process this data from the other IMUs to provide augmented feedback to a user of the apparatus. The other IMUs can be calibrated using the calibration data calculated between the camera 25 and the target 28. The apparatus can therefore calculate absolute orientation of the camera 25 relative to the target and provide low time granularity image data. The micro-processing means 35 and the other IMUs provides high time granularity to provide absolute orientation and relative data respectively.

[0157] Thus, according to FIG. 3, the optical camera sensor 25 on the golf club detects the target 28 and the targets associated fiducial markers 37. The target 28 can be a single or final target comprising fiducial markers or the target 28 can comprise at least one permanent target, such as located at the hole/flag, and at least one temporary target, both of which comprise fiducial markers.

[0158] Using the micro-processor 35, the data from the optical camera sensor 25 is used to generate absolute (i.e. in the world coordinate system) golf club orientation information at a relatively low temporal frequency.

[0159] Using the micro-processor 35, the data from the IMU sensor 40 is used to generate relatively high temporal frequency golf club orientation information. This is typically relative (i.e. in the local club coordinate system).

[0160] The micro-processor uses the combination of the signals from the optical camera sensor 25 and the IMU sensor 40 to provide relatively high frequency absolute golf club orientation information (i.e. in the world coordinate system).

[0161] The IMU sensor 40 (which can include a plurality of IMU sensors if required) can additionally detect relevant event markers throughout the golf action epoch.

[0162] It will be appreciated that the direction of arrows in FIG. 3 can be one direction or bi-directional as required.

[0163] The apparatus 2 can also include data storage means to allow data to be stored in use. This allows a user to study data after they have finished a training session. However, live data could be provided in one example if required.

[0164] The apparatus 2 can include power supply means to allow power to be provided to the camera and/or the micro-processing means.

[0165] User feedback means, such as for example a wrist band, augmented superimposed optical information displayed through wearable glasses, and the like, with an optical display, could be provided to signal to a user whether the camera is aligned/calibrated with the target 28 in use. For example, a green light could be displayed on the wrist band if the sensing unit 20 is correctly aligned/calibrated with the target 28 or a red light could be displayed on the wrist band if the sensing unit 20 is incorrectly aligned/calibrated with or out of sight of the target 28.

[0166] Referring to FIG. 2, a further embodiment of the present invention is described. The same references are used to describe the same features shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, a second visual target 36 is provided. In this example, this second visual target means 36 is located at a putting hole 38 the golfer is trying to hit the golf ball 18 into in use.

[0167] The micro-processing means can triangulate the position of the first visual target 28, the second visual target 36 and/or the sensing unit 20 to allow data to be extracted relating to the position, the distance, movement and speed of the putter head portion 12 with respect to the first and/or second targets during a golf swing in use.