Sports simulation system

Abstract

A sports simulation system includes a projectile tracking apparatus having a display surface on which a visually apparent three-dimensional sports scene is presented. The projectile tracking apparatus captures images of a projectile tracking region disposed in front of the display surface to detect a launched projectile traveling through the projectile tracking region towards the display surface. A projectile launch area sensing unit captures images of the projectile launch area. At least one processing stage communicates with the projectile tracking apparatus and the projectile launch area sensing unit and is responsive to the data received therefrom to determine the three-dimensional positions, velocity, acceleration and spin of a detected projectile traveling through the projectile tracking region. The determined three-dimensional positions, velocity, acceleration and spin are used by the at least one processing stage to calculate a trajectory of the launched projectile into the visually apparent three-dimensional sports scene. Updated image data is generated by the at least one processing stage that includes a simulation of the launched projectile into the visually apparent three-dimensional sports scene following the calculated trajectory. A projection unit coupled to the at least one processing stage receives the image data from the at least one processing stage and presents the visually apparent three-dimensional sports scene, including the simulation, on the display surface.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 629,945 filed on Jul. 30, 2003 for an invention entitled “Sports Simulation System” and to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 195,017 filed on Aug. 2, 2005 for an invention entitled “Sports Simulation System”, the content of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to entertainment systems and in particular to a sports simulation system.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Sports simulation systems designed to simulate sports experiences are well known in the art. In many conventional sports simulation systems, a player propels a sports projectile such as a ball, puck, arrow, dart, etc. at a target image presented on a display screen. The motion of the sports projectile is detected and imaged and an extrapolation of the trajectory of the sports projectile is made. The extrapolated trajectory is then used to determine a sports...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0030]The sports simulation system provides advantages in that since the positions, velocity, acceleration, spin and launch angle of the launched projectile are determined, the flight of the launched projectile can be realistically simulated. This of course results in a more enjoyable sports experience. The sports simulation system also provides advantages in that virtually any type of projectile may be tracked avoiding the need for a specialized projectile. In addition, the projectile may be launched at the projectile tracking apparatus from a variety of positions providing greater flexibility and enhancing the sports experience.

Problems solved by technology

Although the above references show sports simulation systems that capture images of launched projectiles and use the image data to simulate the flights of the launched projectiles, these sports simulation systems fail to provide “true to life” sports experiences as a result of the mechanisms used to track the path of the launched projectiles.

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