US 12,285,656 B1
Method and system utilizing imaging analysis for golf balls
Julie Caterina, Carlsbad, CA (US); Megan Ilnicky, Chicopee, MA (US); and Grady Crahan, Carlsbad, CA (US)
Assigned to Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp., Carlsbad, CA (US)
Filed by Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp., Carlsbad, CA (US)
Filed on Mar. 4, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/594,941.
Application 18/594,941 is a continuation of application No. 17/371,929, filed on Jul. 9, 2021, granted, now 11,918,863.
Application 17/371,929 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/178,159, filed on Feb. 17, 2021, granted, now 11,058,924, issued on Jul. 13, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/978,686, filed on Feb. 19, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/084,388, filed on Sep. 28, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/129,300, filed on Dec. 22, 2020.
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A63B 47/00 (2006.01); A63B 37/00 (2006.01); G01N 23/04 (2018.01)
CPC A63B 47/008 (2013.01) [A63B 37/005 (2013.01); A63B 37/0076 (2013.01); G01N 23/04 (2013.01); G01N 2223/1016 (2013.01); G01N 2223/405 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for determining concentricity of a multiple layer golf ball, the method comprising:
positioning a golf ball for non-rotation in a x-ray measurement region of an imaging machine;
taking at least one X, Z image of the golf ball using a first x-ray source and a first digital detector;
taking at least one Y, Z image of the golf ball using a second x-ray source and a second digital detector, wherein the second X-ray source is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first X-ray source;
determining a diameter or ellipse dimensions of an inner edge and an outer edge of a layer of the multiple layer golf ball utilizing an edge detection algorithm based on the at least one X, Z image and the at least one Y, Z image;
calculating X,Z coordinates of the best fit diameter or ellipse of the inner and outer edges of the layer of the multiple layer golf ball;
calculating Y, Z coordinates of the a best fit diameter or ellipse of the inner edge and outer edge of the layer of the multiple layer golf ball;
combining the at least one X, Z image and the at least one Y, Z image to calculate 3D distances of the elliptical centerpoints; and
determining a concentricity of the inner edge and outer edge based on the 3D distances between an inner sphere defined by the inner edge and an outer sphere defined by the outer edge.