- Number
- 9934581
- Published
- 2018-04-03
- Filed
- 2010-07-12
- Assignee
- DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
- Inventors
- Casamona; David L.; Guida, Jr.; Frank C.; Gay; Michael F.; Bailey; Anthony J.
- CPC
- H04N5/272; G06T7/20; G06T17/00; G06T19/006; H04N5/262
- Verdict
- Low Notable software
- Source
- Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline
The keeper's note
CV path tracking/indication for object.
Abstract
A system for dynamically tracking and indicating a path of an object comprises an object position system for generating three-dimensional object position data comprising an object trajectory, a software element for receiving the three-dimensional object position data, the software element also for determining whether the three-dimensional object position data indicates that an object has exceeded a boundary, and a graphics system for displaying the object trajectory.
Background
BACKGROUND(1) In many televised sporting events, it is desirable to track and display the movement of an object. For example, in baseball, it is desirable to track and display the movement of the baseball so that television viewers may observe the flight path of the baseball. Similar applications exist for other sporting events, such as basketball, hockey, tennis, etc.(2) Previous solutions to display an object have utilized image processing techniques to determine the location of the object, but these systems have a very limited range and limited accuracy in a targeted area. Typically used for pitch tracking in a baseball application, wide coverage of an entire stadium for real-time hit detection and baseball tracking is not currently possible using such image processing techniques.(3) Therefore, there is a need to be able to track, and display in real time the flight path of a baseball during a live television broadcast. Further, it would be desirable to be able to show other aspects of the object, such as trajectory, spin, velocity, etc. Finally, it would be desirable to be able to show estimated object impact points with a virtual home run wall, stadium/stands, and also display the ground while the object is still in flight.SUMMARY(4) Embodiments of the invention include a system for dynamically tracking and indicating a path of an object. The system comprises an object position system for generating three-dimensional object position data comprising an object trajectory,
Claims
1. A system for dynamically tracking and indicating a path of an object, comprising: an object position system that generates three-dimensional object position data and launch data, wherein the object position data comprises a trajectory of an object, and wherein the launch data comprises a spin velocity of the object; a memory storing a software element; a processor executing the software element to receive the three-dimensional object position data and launch data and determine, while the object is traveling along the trajectory, whether the three-dimensional object position data indicates that the object has exceeded a venue boundary, wherein the venue boundary is fixed and predetermined before the processor determines whether the object has exceeded the venue boundary, the software element further comprising a collision detection module to determine if the object has impacted within the venue and a tracking confidence analysis module that determines whether to abort displaying the trajectory, wherein the processor determines when the object has landed and then postprocesses the trajectory to analyze the spin velocity and to provide a best-fit smoothed trajectory, and wherein the best-fit smoothed trajectory is based on the spin velocity analysis; and a graphics system that displays the trajectory and determines whether to display an indicia change of the trajectory, based on the trajectory with reference to the venue boundary, wherein the indicia change comprises an altered visual manner of depicting the full trajectory.
8. A method for dynamically tracking and indicating a path of an object, comprising: generating three-dimensional object position data comprising a trajectory of an object and launch data, wherein the object position data comprises a trajectory of an object, and wherein the launch data comprises a spin velocity of the object; receiving the three-dimensional object position data and launch data; determining, while the object is traveling along the trajectory, whether the three-dimensional object position data indicates that the object has exceeded a venue boundary, wherein the venue boundary is fixed and predetermined before the processor determines whether the object has exceeded the venue boundary, and whether the object has impacted within the venue; determining whether to abort displaying the trajectory, and if not, displaying the trajectory, and determining whether to display an indicia change of the trajectory, based on the trajectory with reference to the venue boundary, wherein the indicia change comprises an altered visual manner of depicting the full trajectory; and determining when the object has landed and then post-processing the trajectory to analyze the spin velocity and to provide a best-fit smoothed trajectory, wherein the best-fit smoothed trajectory is based on the spin velocity analysis.
13. A system for dynamically tracking and indicating a path of a baseball, comprising: an object position system that generates three-dimensional object position data and launch data, wherein the object position data comprises a trajectory of a baseball in flight, and wherein the launch data comprises a spin velocity of the baseball; a memory storing a software element; a processor executing the software element to receive the three-dimensional object position data and launch data and determine, while the baseball is traveling along the trajectory, whether the three-dimensional object position data indicates that the baseball has exceeded a venue boundary, wherein the venue boundary is fixed and predetermined before the processor determines whether the object has exceeded the venue boundary, the software element further comprising a collision detection module to determine if the baseball has impacted within the venue and a tracking confidence analysis module that determines whether to abort displaying the trajectory, wherein the processor determines when the baseball has landed and then postprocesses the trajectory to analyze the spin velocity and to provide a best-fit smoothed trajectory, and wherein the best-fit smoothed trajectory is based on the spin velocity analysis; and a graphics system that displays the trajectory and determines whether to display an indicia change of the trajectory, based on the trajectory with reference to the venue boundary, wherein the indicia change comprises an altered visual manner of depicting the full trajectory.