WO1997044101A1

WO1997044101A1 - Method and system for producing personal golf lesson video

Info

Publication number: WO1997044101A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/008837
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alan Lubell; Earl Takefman; Thomas S. Peters
Original assignee: Visual Edge Systems, Inc.
Priority date: 1996-05-24
Filing date: 1997-05-23
Publication date: 1997-11-27
Also published as: JP2001509039A; US6068559A; AU715007B2; US5797805A; AU3142097A

Abstract

This invention is a system and method for producing a personal golf lesson videotape from a visual recording of a person's golf swing (114, 100), and a partially prerecorded instructional golf lesson videotape (56). The partially prerecorded golf lesson videotape (56) has gaps in predetermined locations into which are inserted the full motion video of the person's golf swing (134), and selected still frames (130). The system contains two cameras (12, 15) for recording a player's golf swing (100, 114), and a computer controlled video recording device (112) for copying the selected video (134) and still frames (130) of the recorded golf swing into the gaps of the prerecorded videotape golf lesson (56). The still frames are selected to match the player's position to the position of the professional golfer in corresponding still frames so that a split screen, side by side view can be produced showing the player's and professional's positions at various points along a golf swing. Time codes are stored (210) in the predetermined gaps of the prerecorded videotape (56) to help the VCR locate the gaps.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING PERSONAL GOLF LESSON VIDEO

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material

which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection

to the facsimiie reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in

the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves

all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to instructional systems for teaching

sports activities by recording a person^'s performance in the activity. In

particular, this invention relates to a system and method for creating a

personalized golf lesson video by recording a player^'s golf swing and inserting

it and selected still frames thereof in various predetermined places in a

prerecorded golf lesson video featuring a professional golfer.

Form and body position arc important ingredients to success in many

sports activities such as golf, baseball, and track. For example, proper

positioning of the head, hands and golf club are crucial to a good golf swing.

Naturally, the best way to practice proper positioning is under the direction of a

professional golf instructor who can watch the player^'s swing and correct the player's position and motion. The player's swing can even be video recorded

and reviewed later by the player and/or the instructor.

Systems have been proposed which record a player^'s swing and then

analyze the swing according to precise principles. For example, a system

described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,061 to Nakashima et al. converts recorded

video images of a player's swing into a plurality of still images and

superimposes on the still images correction pictures consisting of a series of

lines connecting various points on the player^'s body and club. The resulting

pictures are then recorded onto a videotape, and additional visual and/or audio

information can then be added to the videotape.

Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,1 1 1 ,410 to Nakayama et al. describes a motion

diagnosis system in which retro-reflective tape is pasted onto a plurality of

points on a player's body and golf club, the player^'s golf swing is recorded,

images of the swing are sampled and converted to digital signals, and positional

data is extracted from the plurality of points to which the tape was pasted. The

positional data is then compared to reference data to create a diagnosis of the

player's swing based on the difference between the positional and reference

data.

As yet a further example, a system described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,891 ,748

to Mann captures a video image of a golf student's swing, generates a superior performance model golf player having physical dimensions scaled to those of

the player, and overlays the image of the model onto the image of the student.

The model is computer generated and includes composite average swing

movements of a plurality of golf players, enhanced using statistical

identification of the critical performance patterns of the swing.

These and other proposed systems fail to fully appreciate that, although

proper positioning is important to a good swing, certain aspects of a player's

position are more important than others. In fact, highly successful professional

golfers have swings which differ in many ways from one another but which are

similar in the basic fundamental aspects of a good golf swing. In addition,

many aspects of a good swing are not visually apparent in the swing, such as

proper weight distribution, tensioning and stretching of various muscles, and

the feel of the swing. These aspects can best be communicated verbally from a

professional golfer.

Thus, rather than providing a precise geometrical or statistical analysis

of a player's swing, as accomplished by the systems described above, it is

preferable to teach students which aspects of swing position are fundamentally

important to a good swing and which aspects are merely matters of personal

style. It is also preferable to communicate the non-visual aspects of a swing to

students. One way to accomplish this is for an instructor to explain the basic fundamentals of a good swing while the student and instructor review the

student's videotaped swing. However, such personalized instruction is

expensive and time consuming, and thus inaccessible to a large portion of the

general public.

Thus, a system is needed for providing instruction by a professional

golfer on the basic fundamentals of a good swing while allowing students to

view their own swings and compare the fundamentals to their swings. An

example of the professional^'s swing should preferably be shown next to the

student's swing to help students understand the fundamentals. Such a system

should provide the professional the opportunity to explain the non-visual

aspects of a swing. The system should be available to a mass population of

golfers, and should provide the instruction in a form which allows students to

carefully and repeatedly review the instruction at their own leisure and in the

convenience of their own homes using standard commercially available video

tape players.

The present invention provides such a system and solves these and other

problems associated with existing golf video systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to solve the problems described

above associated with existing golf video systems.

4

SUBSTΓΓLΠΈ SHEET (RULE 26) It is another object of the present invention to help golf players improve

their skills.

It is another object of the present invention to allow golf students to

view their golf swing and compare it to a professional's swing while receiving

instruction from a professional golfer on the basic fundamentals of a golf

swing.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a personalized

golf instruction video which is relatively inexpensive and which is compatible

with most standard commercially available video tape players.

It is another object of the present invention to automatically edit a

partially prerecorded standard video tape by inserting additional full motion

video or still frames in predetermined locations on the tape.

Some or all of the above and other objects of the present invention are

achieved by a system for producing a personal golf lesson video comprising one

or more cameras for recording a person^'s golf swing, capture and memory

means connected to the one or more cameras for capturing and storing the

recorded golf swing, selection means connected to the capture and memory

means for selecting at least one portion of the recorded golf swing, a partially

prerecorded golf lesson videotape having gaps in predetermined locations, and a video cassette recording device for copying the selected at least one portion of

the recorded golf swing into the gaps of the prerecorded videotape golf lesson.

The partially prerecorded videotape contains a golf lesson given by a

professional golfer or instructor explaining various aspects regarding the

fundamentals of a good golf swing, including factors such as proper positioning

and weight distribution. Time codes are recorded in the gaps in the tape to help

the VCR locate the gaps under the control of a computer.

In preferred embodiments, the capture and memory means comprises a

capture board which receives a video stream from the cameras and converts it

to digital images to be stored on a computer readable memory. Alternatively, a

videotape recorder can be connected to the one or more cameras for storing the

recorded golf swing on a tape, which tape may be played later and captured by

the capture board.

The selection means preferably comprises a touch screen display for

displaying the recorded golf swing and for accepting input from a person to

select the portion(s), such as still frames, of the golf swing to be recorded onto

the partially prerecorded tape. The selected portion(s) are stored in a computer

readable memory.

In accordance with the invention, a method for producing a personal golf

lesson videotape from a visual recording of a person's golf swing and a partially prerecorded golf lesson videotape comprises the steps of selecting

portion(s) of the visual recording to be inserted into the prerecorded golf lesson

videotape, locating predetermined gap(s) in the partially prerecorded golf

lesson videotape, and inserting the selected portion(s) into the predetermined

gap(s). The method may further comprise visually recording the person's golf

swing using one or more cameras connected to a videotape recorder or capture

board installed in a computer.

The step of selecting portion(s) of the visual recording may comprise

displaying all or part of the visual recording on a display connected to a

computer system and accepting a selection of the portion(s) through an input

device connected to the computer system. The step of selecting portion(s) of

the visual recording may further comprise simultaneously displaying all or part

of the visual recording and a preselected still frame of a professional golfer at a

first point in a golf swing and advancing the visual recording frame by frame so

that a still frame from the visual recording may be selected in which the person

is shown at a point within the person^'s swing which substantially matches the

first point. These points may include the golf swing set up, the back swing, the

down swing, impact, and the follow-through.

Additional content such as video or still frames of the professional's

swinε or additional audio information such as verbal instructions from the professional may be inserted into the gaps along with the video or still frames

of the recorded golf swing. The professional^'s and player^'s video or still

frames may be placed in a split screen, side-by-side fashion in the gaps. The

pace of the full motion visual recording of the person^'s golf swing is preferably

adjusted to substantially match the pace of the full motion recording of the

professional^'s golf swing.

Some or all of the objects of the invention are also achieved by a method

for automatically and accurately inserting a video segment into a predetermined

gap in a partially prerecorded videotape using a computer and a computer-

controllable video cassette recorder (VCR), the VCR operable in at least a first,

unthreaded and a second, threaded mode, the first mode being faster and less

accurate than the second mode. The method comprises the steps of recording

time codes in the gap, retrievably storing in a computer readable memory at

least the time codes recorded at the start of the gap, searching the prerecorded

tape for the beginning of the gap in the first mode based at least on the time

codes recorded in the gap, adjusting the fine accuracy of a frame counter in the

VCR, rewinding the prerecorded tape in the second mode to a point just prior to

the start of the gap, advancing the prerecorded tape in the second mode to or

near the beginning of the gap, and inserting the video segment into the gap. When a VHS standard VCR is used, which is preferable in order to

produce VHS standard tapes usable in most commercially available VCRs, the

step of recording time codes comprises recording the time codes in an audio

channel of the videotape, such as audio 1. If audio information is recorded in the

gap, the time codes may be overwritten.

In preferred embodiments, the method described above begins at the rear

of the tape and works backward towards the front in order to complete the

process with the tape rewound to the beginning. In addition, because time

codes in a VCR are usually reset to 0 when the tape is first inserted into the

VCR, time codes are preferably also recorded at the rear of the prerecorded tape

so that, when the tape is inserted into the VCR. the VCR can search for the time

codes recorded at the rear of the prerecorded tape and set the frame counter in

the VCR to the time codes found at the rear of the tape. The VCR can then

search for the time codes in the gap based on their relationship to the time

codes at the rear of the tape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings

which are meant to be exemplary and not limiting, in which like references

refer to like or corresponding parts, and in which: Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the system of one preferred embodiment of

the present invention, the system containing a video section, an input section,

and an output section;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the system of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the kiosk shown in Fig. 2;

Figs. 4-5 are flow charts showing the processes of setting up and

adjusting the video section of the system shown in Fig. 1 ;

Figs. 6-7 are flow charts showing the process of recording and capturing

a recorded golf swing when the input section of the system of Fig. 1 is under

manual operation;

Fig. 8 is a flow chart showing the process of capturing a player^'s golf

swing when the input section of the system is under automatic operation;

Figs. 9A-9C are flow charts showing the process of automatically

editing a partially prerecorded videotape by inserting selected portions of the

captured golf swing in gaps in the tape;

Figs. 10-1 1 show still frames of the partially prerecorded videotape

before completion of the automatic editing process of Fig. 9A-9C; and

Figs. 12-14 shows still frames of the prerecorded tape after completion

of the editing process shown in Figs. 9A-9C. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described

herein with reference to the drawings in Figs. 1 -3 showing the system

configuration, the flow charts in Figs. 4-9C showing system operation, and the

screen displays in Figs. 10- 12.

The system of one preferred embodiment of the present invention is

shown in block diagram form in Fig. 1 and in perspective form in Figs. 2 and 3.

In accordance with the invention, the system 10 comprises three sections

generally referred to herein as a video section, an input section, and an output

section. The video section is used to record a player's golf swing. The input

section digitally captures the recorded swing, processes the captured video, and

selects or provides the player the opportunity to select various still frames from

the captured video for insertion onto a partially prerecorded golf lesson

videotape. The output section automatically and accurately edits the partially

prerecorded lesson videotape by inserting the captured video and still frames

into predetermined gaps on the tape. The components and operation of each

section will be described in turn.

The video section contains two CCD cameras, such as Sony SSC-370

cameras, one 12 positioned to record video in the downrange direction of the

player (or golfer) 8 and the other 14 positioned to record video head-on of the player 8. As shown in Fig. 2, the cameras 12 and 14 are mounted on a mobile

stand or tripod 13 and are positioned behind and to the side, respectively, of a

mat 18 upon which the player 8 stands and performs a golf swing. A cover 15

may be provided over each of the cameras 12 and 14 to protect it from the

climate.

In one embodiment of the invention, the outputs of the two cameras 12

and 14 are transmitted to a splitter/merger 16 such as a Panasonic Digital A/V

Mixer model WJ-AVE7 which converts the two views received from the

cameras 12 and 14 into a single video stream to be transferred to an input

section computer 24. Alternatively, the two video streams from the cameras 12

and 14 can be transmitted over two separate lines into two separate capture

boards (as described below), respectively, installed in the input section

computer 24. As a further alternative, the golf swing recorded by the cameras

12 and 14 and converted into a single video stream by the splitter/merger 16

can be saved on a videotape for use in a computer-controllable video cassette

recorder (VCR) (not shown), such as a Panasonic Model AG-5700 VHS VCR,

connected to the input section computer 24 via a RS-232 cable and connector.

The Operating Instructions manual for the Panasonic AG-5700 VCR is hereby

incorporated by reference into this application as background information

regarding the use and operation of the Panasonic VCR. A number of swings by different players can be recorded on a single videotape, each of which can then

be processed later at a separate time and place.

After the system 10 has begun operation, the player 8 stands on the mat

18, places a ball on the tee, and swings a club to hit the ball in the player's

normal manner. If a system operator is present, the operator runs the cameras

12 and 14 to film the swing and. when the swing is completed, the operator

stops the computer capture. If the player is not satisfied that the digitized swing

is representative of his normal swing, the operator repeats the process to

digitize another swing using the digital capture board 26, such as an Intel Video

Recorder capture board, attached to the input section computer 24. The

captured video signals from the two cameras 12 and 14 are displayed on

monitor 36 in real-time in side-by -side fashion through the use of an overlay

board 28, such as a board available from Hauppaugc Computer Works, Inc.,

attached to the computer 24. Many alternative capture and overlay boards are

available for use with the system 10. The captured video is then available for

further processing as explained below. If the player wishes, additional swings

may be taken and recorded until a swing is taken which is representative of the

player's normal swing.

If no operator is present, the cameras 12 and 14 begin recording

continually once system operation has begun. When the player 8 hits the ball, a microphone 20 attached to or placed near the mat 18 picks up the sound of the

golf ball being hit and transmits a signal to a digital I/O board 30 attached to the

input section computer 24. Because the entire swing occurs only brief

moments prior to and following the hitting of the ball, the computer 24 can

determine the length of video which must be captured from the cameras 12 and

14 in order to receive the entire swing. A save switch 22 is also placed adjacent

to the mat 18. If the player 8 is satisfied with the swing, he presses the save

switch 20 and a signal is transmitted to the computer 24 to capture the most

recently recorded swing from the cameras 12 and 14. The recorded video is

captured through the capture board 26, and the video signals are simultaneously

displayed on a touch screen VGA monitor 36 using the overlay board 28.

The input section of the system of a preferred embodiment of the present

invention contains a computer 24, which is a standard personal computer

having a processor, such as an Intel 486 or Pentium model processor. ROM,

RAM (preferably at least 16 MB), a hard drive, floppy disk drives, and a CD-

ROM player. The computer 24 is operated by the Microsoft DOS/Windows

operating system and includes video for Windows. Windows 95 and Windows

NT. The capture board 26 and overlay board 28 are attached to the computer

24 to capture and process digital images of the recorded video of a player^'s golf

swing and to display the images on a monitor. When the input section is to be used without an operator, a digital I/O

board 30 is also attached to the computer 24 to process signals received from

the microphone 20, and a conventional sound board 32 and speaker(s) 34 are

provided to provide audio instructions to the player on the operation of the

system 10.

A touch screen 36, such as touch screens available from MicroTouch, is

connected to the input section computer 24 for displaying promotional and

instructional materials regarding the system 10 and for accepting input from the

player 8. Alternative input devices, such as a keyboard, mouse, or electronic

stylus, may be used with a conventional monitor. A credit card

reader/processor 34 is connected to the computer 24 to receive credit card

payments for use of the system 10. The system 10 may be wired in a

conventional manner to connect via modem and telecommunications link to a

credit card company to receive authorization for use of a player^'s credit card.

The output section of the system 10 contains an output section computer

40. which is a standard personal computer configuration including a processor,

ROM. RAM, hard and floppy disk drives, input device(s), monitor, network

board. DOS/Windows operating system, a sound board 42, and an overlay

board connected to the computer 40. The use of two separate computers 24 and

40 for the input and output sections provides the capability to capture and process a number of recorded golf swings using the input computer 24 while

simultaneously editing a partially prerecorded videotape using the output

computer 40.

A scan converter 44. such as an Extron Super Emotia converter, is

attached to the computer 40 to convert standard VGA signals into NTSC

standard video signals. The output section computer 40 is connected via RS-

232 connector and cable 48 to a computer controllable VCR 50. such as a

Sanyo GVR-S950 or GVR-S955 Video Cassette Recorder. The Computer

Control Reference Section of the Instruction Manual for the Sanyo GVR-S950

and -S955 model VCR is hereby incorporated by reference into this application

as background information regarding the use and operation of the Sanyo VCR.

A partially prerecorded golf lesson video 56 is inserted into the VCR for editing

according to the procedures described below. The VCR 50 is connected to a

television set 52 to allow the player 8 to watch his recorded swing and the

video 56.

The input and output section computers 24 and 40 are connected over a

network for transfer of data therebetween. The network may also be accessed

remotely via telecommunications link and modem. As shown in Fig. 3, the

input and output sections of the system 10 may be contained in a kiosk 60, which may be stationary as shown or which be place on wheels so as to be

transportable for use in multiple golf courses.

The partially prerecorded golf lesson video 56 contains a lesson on the

fundamentals of a good golf swing given by a professional golfer. The

professional explains the basic techniques, including proper body position,

weight distribution, the extent to which certain muscles should be tensioned or

stretched, where a player should be looking, and the general "'feel" of a good

swing. As shown in Fig. 10, fundamentals may be listed in checklist form on

the screen. The professional helps to illustrate the fundamentals with an

example swing, which is shown in full motion video as well as in still frames.

Telestrations are added to the video and still frames of the professional^'s swing

to further assist the student in understanding the fundamentals.

The partially prerecorded lesson video 56 contains short gaps in

predetermined places. In accordance with the invention, the player^'s full

motion swing or still frames are inserted into the gaps so that, in the final edited

version of the lesson video, the player can observe his swing or position while

the professional is explaining the fundamentals. As shown in Fig. 1 1, time

codes (shown in SMPTE Time Code format of hours:minutes:seconds:frames)

are recorded in the gaps to help the output section locate them and

automatically and accurately insert the desired video segments therein. The professional^'s swing can be inserted in a side-by-side relationship

with the player^'s swing, and still frames of the professional^'s swing at various

positions, such as the set up, the back swing, the down swing, the follow-

through, etc., can be inserted in a side-by-sidc relationship with still frames of

the player^'s swing shown in the corresponding position. See Fig. 12.

representing a screen shown in the final, edited version of the personalized golf

lesson videotape in which a still frame of the professional 70 is shown side-by-

side with the player 8. Additional audio information, such as the professional^'s

verbal explanations, can also be inserted in the gap. Also, telestration effects

may be added, as shown by the lines 74 in Fig. 12. to further assist in teaching

the fundamentals regarding proper positioning.

When a Beta cam standard VCR is used, the time codes are placed on

the tape for each frame in addition to video and audio data. However. VHS

standard VCRs do not provide additional room for storing time codes in tape

locations outside of the video or audio tracks. Since most people use VHS

VCRs, it is necessary for the system 10 to have the capability of producing

tapes in VHS format. Thus, in accordance with the invention, time codes are

stored on one of the audio tracks, e.g., audio 1. When the video and audio

segments are inserted into the gap, the time codes may be overwritten. The process of setting up and using the system 10 and the operation of

the system 10 is now described with reference to the flow charts in Figs. 4-9C.

Initially, to set up the video section. Fig. 4, the desired distance between the

cameras 12 and 14 and the mat 18 and player 8 must be determined, step 90,

such that players within a given height range will fit within the view of the

cameras. The desired lenses are selected, step 92, to obtain the proper focus,

and the height and direction of the cameras 12 and 14 are set up, step 94. When

used, the splitter/merger 16 is set up. step 96. Also, the microphone trigger 20

and save switch 22 are positioned when used. Finally, the input computer 24

checks that an incoming video stream places the player or golfer 8 in the

desired placement within the screen, step 98.

After the cameras are initially set up. a model golfer stands on the mat

18 and a video stream of the model golfer is captured, step 100 (Fig. 5). The

captured sample video is then cropped, sized and positioned, step 102. so that

the size and location of the golfer within a split screen, which will ultimately be

copied onto the prerecorded videotape 56, generally matches the size and

position of the professional golfer in previously recorded video. If necessary,

the cameras 12 and/or 14 are moved and new video is captured until the

incoming video can be properly cropped and sized to match the professional's

video. Allowances are made during this procedure for reasonable height variations among golfers. The locations of the golf ball and target positions on

the golfer are then identified in the sample captured video, step 104. for future

use by the output section to place telestrations. as described herein. All the

parameters involved in cropping, sizing, positioning and identify ing objects

within the sample captured video are then saved for use by the output section,

step 106. As a result, incoming video of future golfers can be automatically

adjusted to so as to fit properly within the split screen, side-by-side view with

the professional golfer. See Fig. 12 for an example of such a split screen view.

With reference to Fig. 6. when an operator is involved in capturing a

golfer's swing, and when a VCR is used to tape the golfer's swing, rather than

transmitting the video stream directly to the input section computer 24. the

VCR is operated in the usual manner, i.e., by placing a blank tape in the VCR.

step 1 10. setting the VCR to RECORD mode, step 1 12. recording the golfer^'s

swing, step 1 14, and stopping the VCR after the golfer 8 has finished the swing,

step 1 16.

With reference to Fig. 7, to digitally capture the recording of the golfer's

swing, the tape of the golfer 8 from the video section is played, step 120, and

the video recording is positioned to the start of the golfer's swing and paused,

step 122. The two views of the golfer 8, the back or downtarget view obtained

from camera 12 and the front or head-on view obtained from camera 12. are displayed in split screen format. The incoming video is then adjusted for

factors such as brightness, contrast, and tint, step 124. The VCR is then

returned to playing the tape and the recording is captured to disk by the capture

board 26 at 30 frames per second at a resolution of 320 x 240, step 126. The

operator stops the capture process at the end of the swing.

The front and back views of the golfer's swing are then adjusted, step

128, by slowing down or speeding up the swing based on the number of frames

contained in the digitally captured golfer^'s swing as compared to the number of

frames in the previously captured recording of the professional's swing. Next.

the operator advances frame by frame through the video recording of the

golfer's swing and selects a number of still frames in which the golfer^'s

position substantially matches the position of the professional in a

corresponding still frame, step 130. In preferred embodiments of the invention,

eight still frames are selected, including the set up, half back swing, back

swing, down swing, impact, and follow-through. The still frames are captured

as 640 x 480 resolution pictures. The two views (front and back) for each still

frame are split apart and saved separately.

After capturing the still frames, the operator selects, through the touch

screen 36 or other suitable input device, one or more locations on each still

frame at or around which telestrations are to be placed, step 132. The telestrations are placed on the frames by the output section of the system 10

during the automatic editing process. For example, in the still frame for the

golf swing set up, the operator touches the location of the golfer's head, around

which a circle is later telestrated and from which a line is telestrated

downwardly towards the mat 18. This telestration helps illustrate the proper

positioning of the head in relation to the tee during the set up. See Fig. 12 for

an example of telestrations 74 appearing in the final edited version of the

personal golf lesson videotape.

The captured full motion video, still frames and other golfer data such as

selected telestration locations are placed in a queue for transfer to the output

section computer 40, step 134. If a personal golf lesson video is to produced,

and the golfer data is to be sent, step 136. the data is transferred to the output

section of the system 10. step 138.

Referring now to Fig. 8, when no operator is present, the system 10 is

programmed to display a promotional video on the touch screen display 36,

step 150, and to play instructions upon request, step 152. If a person desires to

use the system, he enters his credit card information into the credit card reader

38. The credit card information is read and processed, step 154, and the

specific instructions on how to set up the tee to take a golf swing are played on

the display 36. step 156. The system 10 then begins a loop, 158. in which the golfer's swing is

automatically captured. If no input is received for five minutes, step 160. the

system offers the option of replaying the instructions or restarting the auto-

capture loop, step 162. If an additional two minutes of inactivity occurs, step

164. the system times-out completely and returns to the promotional video.

If the microphone 20 registers the sound of the ball being hit. step 166,

and the golfer 8 presses the save switch 22, step 168. the swing is captured and

saved by the input section computer 24 and capture board 26. The swing is

then synchronized in pace to the professional's swing as explained above, step

170. the golfer selects the various still frames and locates the position of his

head in the still frames for the placement of telestration as explained above,

step 172. The professional^'s still frames can be sequentially displayed in split

screen format with the golfer^'s swing, much as shown in Fig. 12. to facilitate

the golfer^'s selection of the appropriate still frames. The partially prerecorded

golf lesson videotape 56, which is provided to the golfer 8 after receiving credit

card payment, is then inserted in the VCR 50, step 174.

Referring to the flow chart in Figs. 9A-9C, the output section of the

system 10 automatically and precisely edits the partially prerecorded videotape

56 by inserting the captured video and still frames therein as follows. After

initializing variables, step 200. including the location at which the output section computer 40 will find files transferred over the network from the input

section computer 24, the output section computer 40 periodically polls for

golfer data received from the input section computer 24, step 202. including full

motion video and still frames and control parameters saved during initial set up

and adjustment as described above. When golfer data is available, the output

section computer 40 checks whether a tape has been inserted in the VCR 50.

step 204, and then checks whether the tape is at the rear, step 206. If the tape

56 is not at the rear, it can be fast forwarded until the rear is reached, step 208.

Although the process of locating gaps and inserting the video and still

frames can be accomplished by starting from other points on the tape 56,

including the beginning thereof, starting from the rear of the tape 56 and

moving backwards is preferable in that it provides the advantage that, when the

process is completed, the tape is rewound to the beginning and ready to be

viewed without further rewinding.

When a tape is inserted into the VCR 50. the VCR's time codes are

usually reset to 0. Time codes are therefore preferably placed at the rear of the

tape 56 so that the VCR can find them and the VCR's frame counter will

automatically be set to the time codes on the tape. Thus, the VCR searches for

time codes placed at the rear of or anywhere on the tape, step 210. If no time codes are found anywhere on the tape, step 212. an error message is given, step

214. such as a message instructing the user to insert an appropriate tape.

When the time codes at the rear of the tape 56 are found, the VCR 50 is

placed in unthreaded mode, which is faster and less accurate than threaded

mode, and rewound while the computer 40 searches for the time codes in the

immediately preceding gap, step 216 (Fig. 9B). Because the locations of the

time codes are predetermined after the prerecorded tape is produced, the

computer 40 is given data indicating the specific frames to search for and the

expected locations of the gap. Because the search is conducted in unthreaded

mode, the search will be faster but will lose fine accuracy. The search will

therefore only get close to the correct point on the tape. i.e.. the start of the gap.

In preferred embodiments, the search rewinds the tape to a short period

immediately preceding the gap.

While a gap is being located, gap pre-processing is done, step 218.

including loading the audio to be inserted into the gap into RAM and displaying

the initial video frame to be inserted into the gap on the TV 52 using the scan

converter 44. Once a gap is located, step 220. and the tape 56 is rewound to

just prior to the gap, the VCR is adjusted to frame accuracy, step 222, by

placing it in play mode and playing over the time codes at the front of the gap.

While in play mode, the computer 40 polls the VCR to determine the frame position and resets frame accuracy which was lost during the unthreaded

search. After fame accuracy has been restored, the VCR 50 is paused.

The VCR 50 is placed in threaded mode and a fine accuracy search is

conducted to a short period just prior to the start of the gap, step 224. Locating

the tape 56 just prior to the gap helps to ensure that the VCR tape motors

achieve normal operational speed and that any tape jitters is calmed prior to

actually inserting new video and audio in the gap. The VCR 50 is once again

placed in play mode, step 226. during which the computer 40 polls the VCR 50

to determine frame position, step 228 (Fig. 9C), and checks for the start of the

gap, step 230, at which point the VCR will be placed in insert or cut-in/cut-out

mode, step 232.

From the time the computer 40 transmits an instruction to the VCR 50 to

change from play mode to insert mode until the VCR 50 actually changes its

mode, about six frames advance on the tape 56. Therefore, in the preferred

embodiments of the invention, the instruction to change modes is actually

issued by the computer about six frames prior to the actual start of the gap. The

VCR 50 is given the precise cut-out point and instructed to begin inserting the

video and audio segments until that point. If the audio segment covers both

audio channels (audio 1 and audio 2), the time codes are overwritten. During video and audio insertion, an action timer in the computer 40

starts, step 234, and controls the video being inserted. When an action point is

reached, step 236. i.e.. when an action must be taken, the action is performed,

238. Actions include loading pictures, playing video clips, or drawing

telestrations. and the actions are performed by retrieving the pictures, video

clips or telestrations from memory and transferring them to the video output of

the computer 40. When the end of the gap is reached, step 240, the VCR is

paused, step 242. while the computer 40 checks whether there arc any more

gaps expected on the tape 56. step 244. If any more gaps are expected, the

computer 40 returns the VCR to unthreaded mode to search for the immediately

preceding gap, step 216 and repeats the editing process until all gaps have been

filled. The VCR then ejects the completely edited tape 56.

Figs. 10- 14 show still frames recorded on the tape 56. Fig. 10 illustrates

a screen in which the professional 70 is explaining fundamentals about one

aspect of a golf swing, and a checklist is provided to assist the explanation.

The frame shown in Fig. 1 1 , displaying time codes in a gap, appears on the

partially prerecorded tape before the automatic editing process is completed.

The frames shown in Fig. 12 represent split screen, side-by-side still frames of

the player golfer 8 and the professional golfer 70 shown in head-on view in the follow-through, back swing and down swing positions, with telestrations 74

(Figs. 12 and 14) to help illustrate proper positioning or directions.

While the invention has been described and illustrated in connection

with preferred embodiments, many variations and modifications as will be

evident to those skilled in this art may be made without departing from the

spirit and scope of the invention, and the invention as set forth in the appended

claims is thus not to be limited to the precise details of methodology or

construction set forth above as such variations and modification are intended to

be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A personal golf lesson videotape produced from a partially

prerecorded videotape containing a golf lesson given by a professional golfer,

the partially prerecorded videotape having gaps therein in predetermined placed

into which selected portions of a visual recording of a person's golf swing are

inserted shown in split screen format with corresponding portions of a recorded

golf swing performed by the professional.

2. A method for producing a personal sports activity lesson videotape

from a visual recording of a person's performance of the activity and a partially

prerecorded lesson videotape about the activity, the method comprising:

selecting at least one portion of the visual recording to be inserted into

the prerecorded lesson videotape;

locating one or more predetermined gaps in the partially prerecorded

golf lesson videotape; and

inserting the selected at least one portion into the one or more

predetermined gaps.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising visually recording the

person performing the sports activity.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of selecting at least one

portion of the visual recording comprises selecting at least one still frame of the

visual recording.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of selecting at least one

portion of the visual recording comprises:

displaying all or part of the visual recording on a display connected to a

computer system; and

accepting a selection of the at least one portion through an input device

connected to the computer system.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of selecting at least one

portion of the visual recording further comprises:

simultaneously displaying all or part of the visual recording and a

preselected still frame of a professional at a first point in performing the sports

activity; and

advancing the visual recording frame by frame so that a still frame from

the visual recording may be selected in which the person is shown at a point

within the person^'s performance of the activity which substantially matches the

first point.

7. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of inserting comprises

inserting the selected at least one portion of the visual recording along with

additional content into each of the one or more predetermined gaps.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of inserting comprises

inserting into at least one of the gaps a full motion visual recording of the

person's performance of the activity along with a full motion recording of the

professional's performance of the activity.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising adjusting the pace of the

full motion visual recording of the person's performance of the activity to

substantially match the pace of the full motion recording of the professional's

performance of the activity.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of inserting comprises

inserting into at least one of the gaps a first still frame from the visual recording

of the person^'s performance of the activity along with a second still frame from

a recording of a professional's performance of the activity, wherein the position

of the person in the first still frame and the position of the professional in the

second still frame are substantially identical.

1 1. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of inserting comprises

inserting audio information into the gap.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of locating comprises

searching for predetermined time codes prerecorded on the partially

prerecorded videotape in each of the one or more predetermined gaps thereof.

13. A videotape made according to the method of claim 2.

14. A system for producing a personal golf lesson video comprising:

one or more cameras for recording a person's golf swing;

capture and memory means connected to the one or more cameras for

capturing and storing the recorded golf swing;

selection means connected to the computer means for selecting at least

one portion of the recorded golf swing;

a partially prerecorded golf lesson videotape having gaps in

predetermined locations; and

a video recording device for copying the selected at leastOne portion of

the recorded golf swing into the gaps of the prerecorded videotape golf lesson.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the capture and memory means

comprises:

a videotape recorder connected to the one or more cameras for storing

the recorded golf swing;

means connected to the videotape recorder for converting the recorded

golf swing into digital images; and a computer readable memory for storing the digitized golf swing images.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein the selection means comprises:

display means for displaying the recorded golf swing;

input means for selecting the at least one portion of the golf swing; and

memory means for storing data representing the selected at least one

portion of the golf swing.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the display means and input means

comprise a touch screen display device.

18. The system of claim 14 wherein the partially prerecorded videotape

contains time codes recorded in the gaps and wherein the system further

comprises means for locating the starts of the gaps based on the time codes.

19. A method of automatically and accurately inserting a video segment

into a predetermined gap in a partially prerecorded videotape using a computer

and a computer-controllable video cassette recorder (VCR), the VCR operable

in at least a first and second mode, the first mode being faster and less accurate

than the second mode, the method comprising:

recording time codes in the gap;

retrievably storing in a computer readable memory at least the time

codes recorded at the start of the gap; searching the prerecorded tape for the beginning of the gap in the first

mode based at least on the time codes recorded in the gap;

adjusting the fine accuracy of a frame counter in the VCR;

rewinding the prerecorded tape in the second mode to a point just prior

5 to the start of the gap;

advancing the prerecorded tape in the second mode to or near the

beginning of the gap; and

inserting the video segment into the gap.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of recording time codes

i o comprises recording the time codes in an audio channel of the videotape.

21. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

recording time codes at the rear of the prerecorded tape;

when the tape is inserted into the VCR, searching for the time codes

recorded at the rear of the prerecorded tape; and

15 setting a frame counter in the VCR to the time codes found at the rear of

the tape.

22. A partially recorded videotape containing content recorded thereon in

sections and gaps imbetween the sections into which are inserted video segments,

the videotape further containing time codes recorded in the gaps on an audio

20 channel of the tape to facilitate location of the gaps.