Acushnet Company

Paul A Furze

Brian Comeau

Thomas L Mydlack

Kevin M Harris

Richard Daprato

Nicholas M Nardacci

Edward Costa

Michael J Toupin

Leonidas Amarant

Glenn Grenier

Brian P St Aubin

Donald A Laprade

Jeremy Zorrilla De Los Santos

Matthew F Hogge

William Brum

William Souza

Edmund T Maher

Michael F Vieira

Charles Hightower

Anthony J Couto

Brett S Southworth

Steve Tobin

A method, technique, and/or system for determining the durability of a golf ball, and more particularly the durability of a cover of a golf ball is disclosed herein. The present disclosure provides an objective technique for scoring or rating the durability of golf balls such that a uniform scoring methodology can be used. The present disclosure uses imaging techniques and image processing techniques to analyze damage to a golf ball surface.

Method and system for analyzing durability of golf ball

In some implementations, a system may include an imaging device, at least one sensor configured to capture position data associated with positions of an object, a lighting device configured to emit a light in response to receiving a triggering signal, the triggering signal being determined based on synchronization pulses emitted by the imaging device. The system may include a control unit, the control unit being configured to: receive imaging data from the imaging device including the synchronization pulses, each synchronization pulse being associated with a frame captured by the imaging device; receive the position data from the at least one sensor; determine a sequence of triggering signals by calculating, based on the imaging data and the position data, a number of synchronization pulses to skip between emissions of successive triggering signals; and transmit the triggering signals to the lighting device.

Devices, systems, and methods for synchronizing lighting and imaging devices

A launch monitor is disclosed. The launch monitor may have a base, and an imaging device supported on the base. The imaging device may capture images of the object traversing the field of view. The launch monitor may have a lighting unit that emits one or more flashes of light to illuminate the object in the field of view. A duration of each flash or a time period between flashes may be adjustable. The launch monitor may have a controller that generates trigger signals to cause the lighting unit to emit flashes of light. The trigger signals may control the duration of each flash or the time period between flashes. The controller may also cause the imaging device to capture images of the object when illuminated by the flashes of light. Further, the controller may analyze the captured images to determine a parameter associated with the flight of the object.

Launch monitor having a LED strobe

Systems and methods for measuring and classifying golf balls and/or components thereof according to concentricity including automated inspection systems that can simultaneously image multiple golf balls (or components thereof) to gather and analyze data on concentricity and, optionally, classify or sort the multiple golf balls (or components thereof) according to the analyzed concentricity data.

Concentricity measurement and classification system and method for golf balls and golf ball components

Systems and methods for measuring the concentricity of golf balls using varying energy levels to gather and analyze data on concentricity.

Multi-energy x-ray system and method for golf ball inspection

Systems and methods for measuring the concentricity of golf balls using filter pairs to gather and analyze data on concentricity.

X-ray system and method for golf ball inspection

The present invention generally relates to lightweight, portable robot for analyzing golf balls for short game performance attributes. The preferred robot is specifically designed to be lightweight and portable and to be able to hit a golf ball off of the ground or a mat that simulates the ground such that realistic short game performance of clubs and balls can be evaluated.

Short game analysis system

A launch monitor that generates three dimensional images to accurately measure movement of golf objects. In an aspect, the launch monitor can utilize stereographic camera systems to capture images from which three dimensional images can be generated. In an aspect, the launch monitor can utilize light-field camera systems to capture images of the golf objects. In an aspect, the camera systems can capture images in color.

Launch monitor using three-dimensional imaging

The present invention generally relates to lightweight, portable robot for analyzing golf balls for short game performance attributes. The preferred robot is specifically designed to be lightweight and portable and to be able to hit a golf ball off of the ground or a mat that simulates the ground such that realistic short game performance can be evaluated.

An automated object inspection system is presented. The inspection system includes an imaging system to produce at least two images of said object having different optical properties and an analyzer coupled to the imaging system to receive the images and to perform a variety of inspection operations on said images. The imaging system may produce images of the object under inspection in the visible range having varying exposure values. A vision engine included in the analyzer may combine said images through an algorithmic process into one image having high light dynamic range. Alternatively, the imaging system may produce images of the object in the visible or non-visible electromagnetic range. The analyzer may perform inspection routines on said images. An imaging system capable of producing digital video is presented, wherein each frame of video produced by said camera is composed of multiple images having different optical properties.

Method and apparatus for inspecting objects using multiple images having varying optical properties

A method of orienting a spherical object comprising the steps of acquiring an image of a spherical object at an imaging station; analyzing the image with a first computer to determine an analysis; transferring the object from the imaging station to orienting stations using a transfer mechanism; and orienting the object to a predetermined orientation according to the analysis; wherein the orienting stations comprise first, second, and third stations each rotating the object about a single axis; the first, second, and third stations collectively orienting the object by rotation about alternately perpendicular axes. In one embodiment, at least one of the orienting stations is at least partially mounted onto the transfer mechanism. In another embodiment, the transfer mechanism is a compliant object carrier that is movable translationally and substantially immovable rotationally. In an alternate embodiment, the ball is orientated with a gimbaled mechanism. An object orienter is also disclosed.

Method of spherical object orientation and orienter for the same

A method for inspecting golf balls is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing at least one sensor capable of obtaining images of the infrared radiation emitted from the ball, obtaining at least one image of the ball using the sensor after paint or a coating has been applied to the surface of the ball, and determining whether the liquid was applied evenly on the surface of the ball. Preferably, the image is obtained during the transient period when the solvent in the paint or coating is evaporating. A number of numerical analysis can be used to determine the evenness of the paint or coating.

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Tiverton, RI, United States of America

Paul A Furze