Intelligent volleyball marker post
By integrating miniature cameras and computers into volleyball marker poles, the high-cost video challenge in existing technologies is solved, enabling low-cost, autonomous video adjudication support in all matches, thus improving the fairness and efficiency of adjudication.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202480046290.5
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-06-27
- Filing Date
- 2024-06-18
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-06
AI Technical Summary
Existing video challenge systems in volleyball are costly and only used in major competitions, failing to provide support for fair rulings in all matches.
By integrating miniature cameras into volleyball marker poles, and controlling and recording the game stages via a microcomputer, referees can operate the system independently to resolve disputes.
It enables low-cost video challenge capabilities in all competitions, allowing referees to operate the system independently without additional personnel, thus improving the fairness and efficiency of adjudication.
Smart Images
Figure FT_1 
Figure FT_2 
Figure FT_3
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an antenna, generally used in pairs in volleyball matches, which marks an imaginary vertical boundary within which the ball is allowed to cross the net during the match Figure 1 The specifications of the antenna are defined by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB). BACKGROUND
[0002] In recent years, in volleyball, as in most sports, there has been a need to use technical means to control difficult phases. The solution adopted in volleyball involves placing around the playing field, at predetermined points, usually 12 to 20 video cameras to record the phases. These phases are controlled by an operator who communicates with the referees when a disputed phase occurs. The use of this system (video challenge) is very costly because of the expensive equipment, the operator and the personnel who set it up hours before the match. Therefore, the system is used only in major national or international competitions (championship finals, Olympics, etc.). However, disputed phases and the need for fair decisions by the referees exist in all matches, regardless of category or importance. SUMMARY
[0003] The present invention aims to integrate a small video camera (micro video camera) into the volleyball antenna. The operation of the system, when a disputed phase occurs, is handled by two referees (a first referee and a second referee) according to the phase in their respective jurisdiction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0004] Each intelligent antenna carries a total of six micro video cameras connected to a microcomputer with a touch screen Figure 5 , points C1 to C6, in the figure called referee screen Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 in the figure RS, since the referee screen is the point of control and interaction of the referees with the intelligent antenna. The microcomputer provides the ability to control the video cameras and to replay the recorded phases.
[0005] The environment in which the intelligent antenna is installed and operates (volleyball court) is completely controllable, all elements are known and measurable Figure 1). The dimensions of the court, the width of the lines, the height of the net, the length of the poles, the distance between the poles, the number of players, the size of the ball, etc. are all known. All these elements, except the height of the net, are known, stable and already recorded in the corresponding software variables. The height of the net is chosen by the referee before the start of the game because the rules provide for different heights for men's games (243 cm) and women's games (224 cm). There are also corresponding provisions in the rules of other lower age group leagues. In each case, the referee chooses the type of game (men, women, etc.) and the corresponding software variable is automatically updated with the correct value.
[0006] This makes it possible to know the exact height of each miniature camera. For example, in a men's game, the height of the C1 camera (C1) is 243 + 40 = 283 cm, which is the result of the men's net (243 cm) plus 40 cm, which is the distance from C1 to the top of the net, as shown in Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 The height of the C2 camera and the C3 camera is calculated in the same way (C2, C3). Here it is 243 - 50 = 193 cm, which means the height of the net minus 50 cm - this is the distance from the C2 camera and the C3 camera to the top of the net, because the wings of the smart pole are 100 cm long and the C2 camera and the C3 camera are located in the middle of the wings. Figure 4 Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 The height of the C4 camera, the C5 camera and the C6 camera is easier to calculate. The height of the C4 camera and the C5 camera is equal to the height of the net because they are located on the top cable of the net. For the C6 camera, in the same example, the height is 243 - 100 = 143 cm because it is placed at the lowest part of the net.
[0007] It can be understood that the software of the miniature computer, which has all the above data, can make distance measurements or object detection (e.g. ball) and add to each video playback a layer with auxiliary indications and markings. This is an additional unique option in the software that the referee can invoke when he finds that a simple video playback does not help him make the correct decision. This enhanced option is considered an advanced video playback and is a separate option in the software compared to the simple video playback option.
[0008] The advantage of this invention is that it provides the ability to conduct video challenges in all competitions, regardless of category, at a much lower cost than existing systems because it requires no additional equipment. The camera is integrated into the marker pole, a fundamental element of the sport (essential for conducting the competition). The camera's operation requires no additional personnel, as it is performed by the referee himself.
[0009] Existing signposts ( Figure 2 It consists of two parts. The first part is placed on the net and is 100cm long (the same length as the net). The net is 5cm wide, the same as the width of the court lines. Figure 1 The first part is the main marker pole, which is 180cm long and painted with 10cm stripes, usually alternating between white and red. One meter (100cm) of it is inside the sleeve, while the remaining 80cm extends over the net.
[0010] On the other hand, the smart marker pole is a single, compact structure that conforms to regulations, combining previously separate marker pole parts into a single unit. The upper section protrudes 80cm above the net, incorporating a miniature camera located in the center. Figure 3 Point C1), facing the opposite marker pole, is used to monitor activities above the net (such as attacks, interceptions, etc.). The upper section is a continuation of the lower section, which is 100cm long and consists of two wings made of the same material. Figure 5 It consists of two wings that surround the net and connect to each other, stabilizing a single smart marker pole in the correct position on the net throughout the game.
[0011] Each wing has a miniature camera in the middle. Figure 5 Points C2 and C3 are used to monitor the phases occurring along the edge line. At both ends of this lower section (100cm), two cables extend towards the posts. Figure 5 The upper cable is supported by the upper cable of the net and has two miniature cameras. Figure 5 Points C4 and C5), two miniature cameras are positioned at a 45-degree angle to the net and 20cm from the posts to capture a panoramic view of each side of the court. The cables terminate at a microcomputer with a touchscreen. Figure 5 (RS point) at.
[0012] The lower cable is supported by the lower cable of the net and has a miniature camera located 20cm away from the post. Figure 5 (Point C6), this miniature camera is used to monitor the phases occurring below the net along the center line of the court. Both cables are secured to the net's cable lines with tape.
[0013] During the match, the marker poles record all phases and store their respective files in the storage space of the microcomputer carried by each marker pole. In disputed rounds, coaches can request a review of specific violations (e.g., whether the ball was in or out of bounds). The responsible referee (or two referees) selects replay footage from the micro-camera via a screen (RS) to correct or confirm the initial ruling.
[0014] When referees are unable to make a decision by visual inspection, they can choose the advanced video replay option, which provides additional useful information, measurements, and markings to depict the disputed round as best as possible. In rare cases, even advanced video replay may not be helpful to the referees, in which case the referees will blow their whistle to signal a replay of the round, a practice that remains common today.
Claims
1. A volleyball marker pole, characterized in that, The volleyball marker pole integrates a miniature camera and a microcomputer with a touchscreen. The miniature camera and microcomputer are interconnected to record various stages of the match in video files, allowing referees to recall the footage during replays to form more accurate opinions and make correct decisions. The volleyball marker pole is constructed as a single compact unit according to the marker pole dimensions specified by the International Volleyball Federation. The volleyball marker pole includes an upper cylindrical section and a lower section. The upper cylindrical section has a miniature camera in the middle, and the lower section forms two wings, each wing having a miniature camera in the middle. These wings are connected together with reusable tape and equipped with two cable extensions integrating miniature cameras. The lower extension has one miniature camera, while the upper extension has two miniature cameras and leads to the microcomputer with a touchscreen.