- Number
- 9615015
- Published
- 2017-04-04
- Filed
- 2012-01-27
- Assignee
- DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
- Inventors
- Hunter; Robert Lee
- CPC
- H04N23/661; H04N23/695; H04N7/188
- Verdict
- Low Notable software
- Source
- Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline
The keeper's note
Camera-control system that uses historical/predicted event data to automate broadcast camera positioning.
Abstract
According to some embodiments, systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program code for controlling a video camera to capture video associated with an event are provided which use historical or predictive data. In some embodiments, historical event information and participant information is received. Video camera configuration and position data is received, as well as current event data. The current event data may be received substantially in real time from the event. Video camera control signals are generated based on at least one of the event information, the participant information, and the current event data. The control signals are transmitted to a video camera to control the operation of the video camera.
Background
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS(1) FIG. 1 is an illustration of a system in accordance with some embodiments.(2) FIG. 2 is a flow chart ofa method in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.(3) FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a camera control system in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.(4) FIG. 4 is a tabular representation of a portion of a historical event data table in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.(5) FIG. 5 is a tabular representation of a portion of an athlete or participant data table in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention.(6) FIG. 6 is an illustration of a system in accordance with another embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION(7) Applicants have recognized that there is a need for methods, systems, apparatus, means and computer program products to control video cameras using historical or predicted event data. According to some embodiments, systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program code for controlling a video camera to capture video associated with an event are provided which use historical or predictive data. In some embodiments, event characteristic information and participant information is received. Video camera configuration and position data is received, as well as current event data (such as a signal indicating the start of a race, etc.). The current event data may be received substantially in real time from the event. Video camera control signals are generated based
Claims
1. A method for creating a video feed of an event, comprising: receiving event characteristic information from a data source about the event and participant information associated with one or more event participants, wherein the event characteristic informationincludes historical event characteristic information about past events of a same event type as the event including a past event duration, and the participant information includes historical participant performance information; receiving video camera configuration and position data from at least a first video camera; receiving current event data in real timefrom the event from at least one of an external device and user input to initiate active camera control; after initiating camera control, generating control signals based on the event characteristic information and the participant information including the historical participant performance information to follow an expected trajectory of at least one participant; transmitting the control signals to the at least first video camera to control the operation of the at least first video camera; wherein the control signals cause the at least first video camera to adjust at least one of: (i) a panning motion, (ii) a tilting motion, (iii) a focal change, and (iv) a zooming adjustment; and wherein the participant information includes information identifying at least one of expected pace and expected completion time of the event, based on the historical participant performance information.
9. A video camera control system, comprising: a robotic video camera outputting a video feed including a representation of an event and operative under control of camera control data; and a camera control system transmitting camera control data to the robotic video camera, the camera control data generated based on information received about the event from a data source, including event characteristic information and event participation information, wherein the event characteristic information includes historical event characteristic information about past events of a same event type as the event, and the event participation information includes historical participant performance information; wherein the camera control data is used by the robotic video camera to follow an expected trajectory of at least one participant using the historical participant information and to cause at least one of: (i) a panning motion, (ii) a tilting motion, (iii) a focal change, and (iv) a zooming adjustment; and wherein the event participation information includes information identifying at least one of expected pace and expected completion time of the event, based on the historical participant performance information.
14. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method, the methodcomprising: receiving event characteristic information from a data source about the eventand participant information associated with one or more event participants, wherein the event characteristic information includes historical event characteristic information aboutpast events of a same event type as the event including a past event duration, and the participant information includes historical participant performance information; receiving video camera configuration and position data from at least a first video camera; receiving current event data in real time from the event from at least one of an external device anduser input to initiate active camera control; after initiating camera control, generatingcontrol signals based on the event characteristic information and the participant information including the historical participant performance information to follow an expected trajectory of at least one participant; transmitting the control signals to the at least first video camera to control the operation of the at least first video camera; wherein the control signals cause the at least first video camera to adjust at least one of: (i) a panning motion, (ii) a tilting motion, (iii) a focal change, and (iv) a zooming adjustment; and wherein the participant information includes information identifying at least one of expected pace and expected completion time of the event, based on the historical participant performance information.