A Performance Analysis System for the Sport of Bowling

Historically, the only technique readily available has been for the bowler to videotape
their delivery and the subsequent reaction and path of the ball, followed by a slow and
tedious frame-by-frame analysis to determine the release, hook, and roll characteristics of
the ball. However, videotape does not allow for the direct and accurate measurement of
ball speed, ball loft, rotation rate, and revolutions. Videotape also does not lend itself to
side-by-side, frame-by-frame comparison of multiple shots.
The ABC (American Bowling Congress) has recently deployed CATS (Computer Aided
Tracking System). CATS relies heavily on instrumenting the lane with numerous
position and velocity sensors in conjunction with high-speed video analysis. However,
this system is only available on a handful of lanes around the country (ABC headquarters
in Milwaukee and the National Bowling Stadium in Reno), along with several portable
installations [12].
Brunswick Corporation developed a patented system called BowlerVision ® , which is
capable of providing some of the same analyses as CATS, combining a system of built-in
sensors with high-speed video capture. However, BowlerVision ® is only available on a
limited basis around the country, is expensive to use, and is not portable [2,3].
There are several recent patents that describe various generic methods for detecting the
speed, spin, and/or curve of a projectile, missile, or ball. All of those patents, however,
involve one or more shortcomings in realizing truly practical and cost-effective
implementations as commercially viable products with regard to bowling.
US Patent 5,526,326 (June 11, 1996) details a "Speed Indicating Ball", which measures
the time of flight of a ball using a contact switch for release (throw) and a piezoelectric
switch for impact (catch). The device is designed for use in a baseball, and requires the
thrower to hold down a button until the ball is released. The device calculates release
velocity through time-of flight calculations over a predetermined distance (pitcher's
mound to home plate), and presents the results on a built-in display [4]. Due to the
method of release detection, the thrower must alter their normal grip when throwing the
ball. The weight of the device with respect to the ball affects the balance of the ball, thus
impacting the nature in which it curves. Also, due to the fragile nature of the built-in
display, the device cannot be used in actual competition (a baseball game).
US Patent 5,761,096 (June 2, 1998) describes a "Speed-sensing projectile" that uses an
interior mechanical inertial switch to detect release (requiring no external button), and the
same inertial switch to detect the cessation of movement. This device also has a built-in
display that presents the speed of the ball based on time-of-flight information over a fixed
distance, and was originally intended for use in a baseball [5]. This device has a similar
impact on the balance of the ball as the "Speed indicating Ball", and also is precluded
from use in actual competition.
US Patent 6,151,563 (November 21, 2000) presents the most comprehensive of devices
with regard to bowling. It describes a device that is capable of measuring the speed, spin
rate, and curve of a moving object, and specifically mentions applicability to both
baseball and bowling. The device uses magnetic field sensors to detect the rotation of the
ball within the earth's magnetic field. It supplements these readings with input from
multiple accelerometers that indicate the inertial forces acting on the ball. The device has
no direct display; instead it transmits the collected data in real-time to an external
2