Application for Golf Coaches

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Our Miami, USA based customer works as a golf coach. He required a windows based custom application which allows simultaneous capture and display of real-time 3D bio-mechanical data from magnetic trackers. This data can be used by golf coaches for training purpose.

They wanted a solution which would develop an Expert System that incorporates a Data Capture, Display and Analysis Tool and a Report Generator. The Expert System will allow a computer to analyze data captured while a golfer hits golf balls and it will produce the following output:

• A synthesized bio-mechanical report that highlights the strengths/weaknesses of a golfer's body movements (The swing)
• A priority list of the deficiencies of a golfer's movement pattern allowing the teaching professional/golfer to prioritize corrections in order of importance
• Suggested drills and activities (including both technical and physical ones) that are known to be effective in correcting the areas of concern
• Bio-feedback parameters and ranges (specific to that person) that will allow the coach/player to readily and Easily use bio-feedback training for skill acquisition
• Creating animation of golfer based on data received from sensors

Key challenges were:

• Selection of the best platform and software development environment for development
• Demonstration of successful communication between the host computer and the capture device
• Capturing data at 240 Hz from six different sensors without missing a single record.
• Reading of data files and verification of data
• Defining the ways in which data will enter the computer
• Initial preparation of data prior to analysis
• Selection of the best way to ensure time synchronization of 3D motion capture system signals
• Digital signal processing
• Defining the standard view of 3D animation (swing)
• Critical frame/instant in time determination
• Variable calculations
• Report and table generation, authoring, formatting and publishing
• Selection of file storage format for data
• Selection of appropriate animation models/meshes for display
• Re-sizing of animation models/meshes to match with individual golfer's dimensions
• Development of simple tools for drawing objects no animation
• A comparison of the golfer's swing with a perfect swing

TatvaSoft provided a solution that was highly effective in managing the process of capture data from tracker, 3D animation, variables calculation and report generation while meeting the following requirements:

• Providing best development platform and environment
• Successful communication with the computer and capture device
• Reading or capturing 3d data from trackers (capture device) and save it at the rate of 240 data per second from each sensor
• Verification and synchronization of data
• Digital signal processing
• Defining standard view for 3d animation
• Better graphical user interface
• Facilitating easy variable calculations with selection functionality
• Providing export functionality for variables as well as data
• Generating different graphical reports
• In-built customization of rporting tools
• Better comparison with perfect golf swing
• Functionality of keeping track records of all trained players with skill sets.

• Server: Microsoft Windows Server
• Web Server: IIS
• Programming Language: C#
• Database: Microsoft Access 2003
• Framework: Microsoft .Net Framework
• Graphical Tool: Dundas Chart
• Reporting Tool: Crystal Report