Ball tracking in a physical mini-golf game for computer visualisation

Abstract

A method and a system are provided for ball tracking in a physical mini-golf (crazy golf) game for computer visualisation. The method comprises obtaining synchronised camera data from multiple cameras positioned to capture movement of a ball on a course from a tee-off position to the hole cup. A ball is identified 305 and linked to a registered player at the tee-off position by capturing a repeating polygonal pattern upon the ball using pattern recognition. The method further comprises tracking the identified ball using the synchronised camera data to provide three-dimensional (3D) coordinates 307 and generating events (e.g. identification of legal shots 308 and determining when a ball is in the cup 309) relating to the ball during the movement on the course. The method provides the 3D coordinates of the ball tracking and the events to a computer visualisation system for display 310. The method may use irradiating the course hole with infrared light 302 to facilitate infrared image acquisition. The 3D coordinates for ball position may be provided by using a supplied 3D model of each course hole, or by using triangulation using two or more calibrated cameras. An associated system and computer program product for ball tracking is also described.

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