Apparatus for the spatial orientation and manipulation of a game ball
AssigneeAcushnet Company
InventorsSteven J. Gordon, Peter K. Mansfield
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for the spatial orientation of a spherical object comprising a camera for gathering an image of the spherical object and its spatial orientation, a computer communicating with the camera for processing the image and for computing a required spatial rotation to bring the spherical object into a desired spatial orientation, and motors communicating with the computer for rotating the spherical object to a desired orientation without substantially moving the center of the spherical object.
Claims23
An apparatus for the spatial orientation of a spherical object having a center comprising:
- i) camera means for gathering an image of the spherical object and its spatial orientation;
- ii) computer means communicating with said camera means for processing said image and for computing a required spatial rotation to bring said spherical object into a predetermined spatial orientation;
- iii) rotating means contacting said spherical object at respective first and second points on an outer surface of said spherical object and communicating with said computer means for rotating said spherical object through said required spatial rotation to said predetermined spatial orientation without substantially moving said center of said spherical object.
An apparatus for the spatial orientation of a spherical object having a center comprising:
- i) camera means for gathering an image of the spherical object and its spatial orientation;
- ii) computer means communicating with said camera means for processing said image and for computing a required spatial rotation to bring said spherical object into a predetermined spatial orientation;
- iii) rotating means comprising first and second motors, said motors having respective first and second shafts, and first and second wheels having respective first and second wheel rotational axes, attached to said respective first and second shafts, and wherein said first and second wheels contact said spherical object at respective first and second points on an outer surface of said spherical object, said rotating means communicating with said computer means for rotating said spherical object through said required spatial rotation to a predetermined orientation without substantially moving said center of said spherical object.
An apparatus for the spatial orientation of a spherical object having a center comprising:
- i) camera means for gathering an image of the spherical object and its spatial orientation;
- ii) computer means communicating with said camera means for processing said image and for computing a required spatial rotation to bring said spherical object into a predetermined spatial orientation;
- iii) rotating means communicating with said computer means for rotating said spherical object through said required spatial rotation to said predetermined spatial orientation without substantially moving said center of said spherical object;
- and
- iv) printer for printing one or more designs on said spherical object at a predetermined position relative to said predetermined spatial orientation.
A method for orienting and printing a second indicia upon a spherical object in a predetermined position with respect to first pre-existing indicia on said spherical object, said positioning comprising the steps of:
- a) supporting said spherical object at a first and a second point of contact on a surface of said spherical object;
- b) rotating said spherical object about a first axis passing through the center of said spherical object;
- c) rotating said spherical object about a second axis passing through the center of said spherical object;
- wherein said second axis is orthogonal to said first axis;
- d) rotating said spherical object about a third axis passing through the center of said spherical object, wherein said third axis is orthogonal to said second axis;
- and
- e) printing said second indicia upon said spherical object at said predetermined position.
An apparatus for the spatial orientation of a spherical object having a center and printing on said object at a predetermined position relative to said spatial orientation, comprising:
- i) camera means for gathering an image of an indicia on the spherical object and its spatial orientation;
- ii) computer means communicating with said camera means for processing said image and for computing a required spatial rotation to bring said spherical object into a predetermined spatial orientation relative to said indicia;
- iii) rotating means contacting said spherical object at respective first and second points on an outer surface of said spherical object for rotating said spherical object about a first axis and a second axis perpendicular to said first axis, said rotating means communicating with said computer means for rotating said spherical object through said required spatial rotation, first about said first axis, then about said second axis and then again about said first axis to bring said spherical object into said predetermined spacial orientation without substantially moving said center of said spherical object;
- and
- iv) a printer for printing one or more designs on said spherical object at said predetermined position.
A method for orienting and printing a second indicia upon a spherical object in a predetermined position with respect to first pre-existing indicia on said spherical object, comprising the steps of:
- a) supporting said spherical object at a first and a second point of contact on a surface of said spherical object;
- b) rotating said spherical object about a first axis passing through the center of said spherical object;
- c) rotating said spherical object about a second axis passing through the center of said spherical object;
- wherein said second axis is orthogonal to said first axis;
- and
- d) rotating said spherical object a second time about a said first axis to locate said predetermined position for printing;
- and
- e) printing said second indicia upon said spherical object at said predetermined position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.