Team sports analysis system, team sports analysis method, and team sports analysis program

Abstract

Regardless of location, we provide a team sports analysis system, team sports analysis method, and team sports analysis program that are suitable for analyzing team sports formations and other aspects by capturing the precise position and movement of each player over time. [Solution] A team sports analysis system S that identifies and analyzes the positions of all players P using a plurality of first devices 1 arranged at and around the venue of a team sport and capable of identifying their own position information, and a second device 2 carried by all players P of the team sport, comprises distance calculation means that calculates the distance between each of the plurality of first devices 1 and the second device 2 based on the bidirectional transmission and reception times of information or signals between each of the plurality of first devices 1 and the second device 2, and position identification means that identifies the position of the second device 2 based on the distance between each of the plurality of first devices 1 and the second device 2 calculated by the distance calculation means, and the position information of each of the first devices 1.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a team sport analysis system, a team sport analysis method, and a team sport analysis program capable of identifying and analyzing the positions of players performing team sports in a team sport practice facility or a competition facility in real time.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in order to analyze the movements of sports players, a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor that transmits and receives signals to and from GPS satellites and measures distance based on the signal arrival time has been used. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a wearable device that measures a player's exercise and fitness activities using a GPS sensor.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, although the GPS sensor is suitable for tracking the movements of players outdoors, it is not suitable for use indoors where it may not be able to transmit and receive GPS signals. Also, the GPS sensor is not suitable for use even outdoors in urban areas or mountainous regions with many high-rise buildings where GPS signal transmission and reception are obstructed and distance measurement errors occur. In addition, although the above-described device is suitable for tracking the movements of a single player, it is not suitable for accurately tracking the movements of all players in order to check, for example, whether each user in a team sport is taking an effective position.

[0005] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its main objective is to provide a team sports analysis system, a team sports analysis method, and a team sports analysis program that are suitable for analyzing team sports formations and the like by capturing the precise position and movement of each player over time, regardless of location. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the team sports analysis system according to the present invention is: A team sports analysis system that identifies and analyzes the locations of all players by using a plurality of first devices placed at and around the venue (practice area or competition area) of a team sport, which are capable of identifying their own location information, and a second device carried by all players of the team sport, Distance calculation means for calculating the distance between each of the multiple first devices and the second device based on the bidirectional transmission and reception times of information or signals between each of the multiple first devices and the second device, A position identification means that identifies the position of the second device based on the distance between each of the first and second devices calculated by the distance calculation means, and the position information of each of the first devices. It is characterized by having [this feature].

[0007] Here, the first device whose own location information can be identified includes not only cases where the location of the first device is identified in advance, but also cases where it is identified retrospectively by some means. Furthermore, the identified location information of the first device may be stored in a readable format in its own memory, or it may be stored in a database on another storage device. The position information of the first device is three-dimensional position information, and may be determined using a geocentric Cartesian coordinate system, a geodetic coordinate system, or a coordinate system uniquely set at the venue. Furthermore, the installation method of the first device is not particularly limited. Outdoors, it may be installed on utility poles, streetlights, street equipment, the surface of buildings, dedicated poles, etc., or embedded in them. Indoors, it may be installed on the interior walls, columns, ceilings, or fixtures inside buildings (such as signs or lighting equipment), or embedded in them.

[0008] "Each player possessing a second device" includes cases where the second device is lent to the player for them to carry, or where the player purchases and carries the device in advance. Alternatively, it includes cases where the second device is composed of a wristband, ear hook device, etc., and is worn directly, as well as cases where it is carried by attaching it to a clip, belt, insole, clothing, etc., or where it is integrated with such a device.

[0009] Here, it is desirable to intentionally make the height positions on which the first device is installed different, and by managing the height position of the first device, it becomes possible to more accurately determine the three-dimensional position information of the second device.

[0010] Therefore, the distance calculation means calculates the distance between each of the multiple first devices and the second device carried by the player, and the position determination means makes it possible to determine the position of the second device, i.e., the position of the player, based on the distance between each of the multiple first devices and the second device, and the position information of the first devices.

[0011] Here, the distance calculation means is: The difference between the time on the first device's clock when it transmits information or signals and the time on the second device's clock when it receives the information or signals transmitted from the first device. The propagation time of the information or signal between the first and second devices may be calculated based on the difference between the time on the second device's clock when the second device transmits the information or signal and the time on the first device's clock when the first device receives the information or signal transmitted from the second device. The distance between the first and second devices may then be calculated based on this propagation time. In this way, by calculating the distance between the first and second devices based on the transmission and reception times of information or signals in both directions between the first and second devices, it becomes possible to accurately calculate the propagation time of information or signals between the first and second devices, i.e., the distance between the first and second devices, even when time synchronization is not maintained between the first and second devices.

[0012] Using the locations of multiple indoor players obtained through the above system, the following system can be constructed. In other words, a display means that displays the location information of the second device identified by the location identification means in real time, A system with even more features could be constructed.

[0013] Using such a system, it becomes possible to visually understand the movements of multiple players based on acquired location information and immediately correct and improve them.

[0014] Furthermore, a system may be constructed that includes a third device carried by each player to acquire body movement information of each player (for example, multiple small wearable sensors worn by the player, such as acceleration sensors, gyroscopes, strain gauges, motion capture cameras, video cameras, etc.), and further includes a means for acquiring body movement information from the third device carried by each player to acquire body movement information of each player during movement.

[0015] Using such a system, it becomes possible to perform a comprehensive and detailed performance analysis based on the location information of multiple players acquired from the first and second devices, and the body movement information acquired from the third device.

[0016] Furthermore, a learning model storage means stores a learning model that has been machine-trained to store the correlation between input data, which includes the location information of the second device identified by the location identification means and the body movement information of multiple players during their movements, acquired by the body movement information acquisition means, and output data, which includes the evaluation of the performance of multiple players. Evaluation inference means for inferring the performance evaluation of a plurality of players by using the learning model from the position information of the second device specified by the position specifying means and the body movement information of the plurality of players during movement acquired by the body movement information acquisition means; It may further include.

[0017] By using such a system, it becomes possible to identify the problems of the movements of a plurality of players that have been overlooked by conventional methods.

Effects of the Invention

[0018] As described above, according to the team sports analysis system, team sports analysis method, and team sports analysis program according to the present invention, based on the transmission and reception times of information or signals in both directions between each of a plurality of first devices and a second device, the distance between each of the plurality of first devices and the second device is calculated, and from the calculated distances between each of the plurality of first devices and the second device and the position information of each first device, the positions of a plurality of players carrying the second device are identified in real time. Therefore, regardless of the location, it is possible to capture the accurate positions and movements over time of each player and analyze the formation of team sports.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing an installation example of a first device and a second device of the team sports analysis system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing a configuration example of the team sports analysis system according to the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the first device. [Figure 4] It is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the second device. [Figure 5] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of the server device. [Figure 6] It is a flowchart showing the distance calculation process. [Figure 7] It is a flowchart showing the position identification process. [Figure 8] This is a schematic diagram of the display content on the display screen of the server device. [Figure 9] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a machine learning device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0021] In Figures 1 and 2, the team sports analysis system S comprises a first device 1 installed at predetermined intervals around and at the venue where the team sport is held, a second device 2 worn by multiple players P (athletes, etc., participating in team sports) exercising near the first device 1, and a server device 3. Here, the venue includes not only the competition venue where the team sport is played, but also the practice venue where the team sport is practiced. In the following explanation, we will use the example of playing basketball on an indoor basketball court, as shown in Figure 1. However, the team sports that can be analyzed by this system are not limited to basketball; other team sports (for example, soccer, volleyball, rugby, baseball, hockey (ice hockey and field hockey), American football, cricket, handball, water polo, etc.) may also be analyzed. Furthermore, the location where the first device 1 is installed is not limited to an indoor facility; it may also be outdoors.

[0022] The first device 1 is installed at any mounting location (such as a wall or pillar) or on an object (such as a light fixture, ornamental object or exhibit, or a dedicated mounting pole) that is at a height suitable for transmitting and receiving radio waves. The first device 1 may be fixed to the surface of the mounting location or object by appropriate means such as screws, adhesive, or brackets, or it may be installed by embedding it in the mounting location or object.

[0023] Furthermore, each of the first devices 1 has its own three-dimensional position information measured and identified. This three-dimensional position information of the first device 1 may be identified in advance and stored readably inside the first device 1, or it may be identified retrospectively by some means after the system has been started. Also, the three-dimensional position information of the first device 1 may be compiled into a database and stored in the memory unit (storage unit 33 described later) of the server device 3. Here, the three-dimensional position information may be represented, for example, by latitude, longitude, and ellipsoidal height in the WGS84 coordinate system, or by a unique three-dimensional coordinate system set up at the indoor venue.

[0024] The first device 1 and the second device 2 can communicate directly with each other. Furthermore, the first device 1 can be connected to the server device 3 via the communication network 4, and the second device 2 can also be connected to the server device 3 via the communication network 4.

[0025] Each of the first device 1 and second device 2 is equipped with a built-in clock, clocks 16 and 26. As will be described later, the built-in clocks can be synchronized to a reference time, and this synchronization makes it possible to obtain accurate positional information of multiple second devices 2 at a predetermined time.

[0026] Furthermore, the first device 1 can also function as the first device 1 for multiple second devices 2, and if there are multiple second devices 2, each of these second devices 2 may be configured to function as the first device 1 for multiple other second devices 2. In other words, if the precise location of a second device 2 can be determined, the distance between that second device 2 and other second devices 2 can be calculated and used to determine the location of the other second devices 2. In this embodiment, we will describe a case where only the first device 1 is used to locate the second device 2.

[0027] (Regarding the first device) As shown in Figure 3, the first device 1 comprises a control unit 11, an RF chip 12, and an oscillator 13, each connected by a bus. The first device 1 also comprises a RAM (Random Access Memory) 14 and a storage unit 15, each connected to the control unit 11 by a bus.

[0028] The control unit 11 consists of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and ROM (Read Only Memory), and executes programs stored in the ROM to control the first device 1. The RF chip 12 is equipped with at least a clock 16, but may also be equipped with a phase detector. The RF chip 12 also has the function of processing the transmission and reception of wireless signals, and the data received by the RF chip 12 is subject to calculation processing by the control unit 11. The RAM 14 is the work area of ​​the control unit 11. The storage unit 15 is a storage area for saving programs, data, etc.

[0029] The oscillator 13 oscillates at a predetermined frequency and outputs a signal to provide the operating timing for each part of the device. A crystal oscillator or an atomic oscillator can be used as the oscillator 13. The clock 16 keeps time using the output signal of the oscillator 13 as the source oscillation and outputs the time. The time kept by the clock 16 is controlled by the control unit 11 to be transmitted to the second device 2 via the RF chip 12. If a phase detector is also provided, it detects the phase of the carrier wave that constitutes the information received from the second device 2, and also detects the phase of the signal transmitted by the oscillator 13 of the first device 1.

[0030] The RF chip 12 is capable of sending and receiving data with other computer devices. Data received by the RF chip 12 is stored in the RAM 14 or storage unit 15 and is subjected to calculation processing by the control unit 11. When the three-dimensional position information of the first device 1 is received via the RF chip 12, it is stored in the RAM 14 or storage unit 15 and controlled by the control unit 11 to be transmitted to the second device 2 via the RF chip 12.

[0031] In this team sports analysis system S, the installation location of the first device 1 is not particularly limited, but since it is used to identify the location of players P who play team sports, it is preferable to install it in a location that has a clear line of sight from the venue where players P play team sports, and the location should be appropriately selected according to the infrastructure conditions of the venue to which the team sports analysis system S is applied.

[0032] The first device 1 requires its three-dimensional position information to be determined. However, if only planar position information is available, it is advisable to prepare three-dimensional position information that includes the height information of the location where the first device 1 is installed.

[0033] To obtain three-dimensional positional information of player P in team sports, the first device 1 does not need to be installed on the same plane; rather, it is preferable that adjacent first devices 1 be installed at different heights. For example, even when the first device 1 is mounted on a wall, it is preferable to make the mounting height of the first device 1 different for each wall, manage the mounting height of the first device 1 for each device, and use this as positional information (three-dimensional positional information) of the mounting part of the first device 1.

[0034] Furthermore, it is desirable that the first device 1 be installed comprehensively throughout the venue, and in order to cover the entire area of ​​the venue, it is advisable to place it appropriately in areas where GPS signals can be easily received.

[0035] Furthermore, the location information of the installation site of the first device 1 may be stored in its own storage unit 15 in association with identification information that can identify the first device 1, or it may be stored in the storage unit 33 of the server device 3, etc., or it may be available via the communication network 4 from another management server that manages location information.

[0036] (Regarding the second device) Next, the second device 2 will be described. The second device 2 is carried by all players P who are subject to positioning during team sports at a designated venue. It can be carried by attaching it to a wristband, clip, belt, insole, clothing, or ear-hook device, or it can be integrated with such a device. The second device 2 may be lent to each player P by the administrator of the team sports analysis system S, or each player P may own one that they have purchased. The manner in which the second device 2 is carried may be by the player P directly wearing it. The second device 2 is to be worn by the player P at all times, at least while positioning is being performed.

[0037] As shown in Figure 4, the second device 2 comprises a control unit 21, an RF chip 22, and an oscillator 23, each connected by a bus. It also includes a RAM 24 and a storage unit 25, each connected to the control unit 21 by a bus.

[0038] The RF chip 22 includes at least a clock 26, but may also include a phase detector if necessary.

[0039] The control unit 21 is configured with a CPU and ROM, and executes programs stored in the storage unit 25 to control the second device 2. The RAM 24 is the work area of ​​the control unit 21, and the storage unit 25 is a storage area for saving programs and data. The control unit 21 performs calculation processing based on programs and data read from the RAM 24 and the storage unit 25, as well as data input from an input unit (not shown).

[0040] The RF chip 22 is capable of sending and receiving data with other computer devices. The data received by the RF chip 22 is loaded into the RAM 24 and subjected to calculation processing by the control unit 21.

[0041] The oscillator 23 oscillates at a predetermined frequency and outputs a signal to provide timing for the operation of each part of the device. A crystal oscillator or an atomic oscillator can be used as the oscillator 23. The clock 26 keeps time using the output signal of the oscillator 23 as the source oscillation and outputs the time. The time kept by the clock 26 is controlled by the control unit 21 to be transmitted to the first device 1 via the RF chip 22. If a phase detector is also present, it detects the phase of the carrier wave that constitutes the information received from the first device 1, and also detects the phase of the signal oscillated by the oscillator 23 of the second device 2.

[0042] (Regarding server equipment) Next, the server device 3 of the present invention will be described. The server device 3 is capable of acquiring location information from the second device 2.

[0043] The acquired location information is stored in the server device 3 as location information of the second device 2 equipped by player P, who is playing team sports at the venue. The location information of the second device 2 equipped by player P is transmitted from the second device 2 to the server device 3, for example, by associating identification information that can identify the second device 2 with the time the location information was identified. When the team sports analysis system S is applied to an indoor facility, the server device 3 may enable communication between the first device 1 and the second device 2 via a smart meter installed in the indoor facility.

[0044] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a server device 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The server device 3 comprises at least a control unit 31, a RAM 32, a storage unit 33, and a communication interface 34, each connected by an internal bus. The server device 3 also includes a database 35 for storing information received from the first device 1 and the second device 2. The location information of the first device 1 may also be stored in this database 35. The server device 3 also includes a known display screen 36, which is a display means capable of displaying the location of each identified second device 2.

[0045] The control unit 31 consists of a CPU, ROM, etc., and executes programs stored in the storage unit 33 to control the server device 3. The control unit 31 also has an internal timer for measuring time. The RAM 32 is the work area of ​​the control unit 31. The storage unit 33 is a storage area for saving programs and data. The control unit 31 reads programs and data from the RAM 32 and the storage unit 33, and, based on information received from the first device 1 or the second device 2, executes various control processes in the control unit according to the program.

[0046] (Distance calculation process) Using the above configuration, the process for calculating the distance between the first device 1 and the second device 2 will now be described.

[0047] This distance calculation process calculates the distance between each of the first devices 1 and the second device 2, based on the propagation time Tp of the information or signal between each of the first devices 1 and the second device 2, provided that the first devices 1 and the second device 2 are within a distance range that allows them to mutually send and receive information or signals.

[0048] The distance calculation process is performed at predetermined time intervals (for example, every second) or whenever a predetermined condition is met, and the process is carried out in steps S1 to S16 as shown in Figure 6. For convenience, here we will explain the case of calculating the distance between one first device 1 and one second device 2.

[0049] First, information or a signal is transmitted from the first device 1 to the second device 2 (step S1). The information or signal transmitted from the first device 1 to the second device 2 is not particularly limited.

[0050] In the first device 1, the time (T11) when information or a signal is transmitted in step S1 is recorded (step S2), and this recorded time is stored in the memory or storage unit 15 within the control unit 11 (step S3).

[0051] Subsequently, the second device 2 receives the information or signal from the first device 1 (step S4). The second device 2 records the time (T21) when the information or signal was received in step S4 (step S5). The recorded time (including the measured phase, if one is measured) is then stored in the memory or storage unit 25 of the control unit 21 (step S6).

[0052] Next, the second device 2 transmits information or a signal to the first device 1 (step S7). The information or signal transmitted from the second device 2 to the first device 1 is not particularly limited. The second device 2 records the time (T22) when the information or signal was transmitted in step S7 (step S8). Then, the recorded time is stored in the memory or storage unit 25 of the control unit 21 (step S9).

[0053] The first device 1 receives the information or signal transmitted in step S7 (step S10). The first device 1 records the time (T12) when it received the information or signal in step S10 (step S11). The recorded time (including the measured phase if the phase is measured) is then stored in the memory or storage unit 15 of the control unit 11 (step S12).

[0054] Subsequently, the first device 1 transmits to the second device 2 via its RF chip 12 the information stored in step S3 regarding the time (T11) when the signal was transmitted in step S1, and the information stored in step S12 regarding the time (T12) when the signal was received in step S10 (step S13). At this time, the position information of the first device 1 is also transmitted to the second device 2.

[0055] Then, in step S1, the second device 2 receives information regarding the time (T11) when the first device 1 transmitted information or a signal, and information regarding the time (T12) when the first device 1 received information or a signal in step S10 (step S14).

[0056] Next, the distance between the first device 1 and the second device 2 is calculated using the second device 2 (step S15). This distance is calculated in the following manner.

[0057] Information regarding the time (T11) of the clock 16 of the first device 1 is transmitted to the second device 2 via radio waves. Then, the difference between the time (T21) of the clock 26 of the second device 2 when it receives this information is recorded as ΔTa on the second device 2 side. In other words, if we define the time of the clock 16 of the first device 1 when information or a signal is transmitted from the first device 1 to the second device 2 as T11, and the time of the clock 26 of the second device 2 when it receives the information or signal transmitted from the first device 1 and marks the time as T21, and the difference between them as ΔTa, then this ΔTa (the difference in transmission and reception times when information or a signal is transmitted from the first device 1 to the second device 2) is the difference between the time of the clock 16 of the first device 1 and the clock 26 of the second device 2 (time difference: T20-T10) plus the propagation time (propagation delay) Tp, so the relationship is as shown in Equation 1 below. This time difference (T20-T10) would be zero if the clock 16 of the first device 1 and the clock 26 of the second device 2 were synchronized. However, here we assume that a time difference (T20-T10) exists (they are not synchronized). [Formula 1] ΔTa=T21-T11=(T20-T10)+Tp

[0058] To determine this propagation time Tp, the second device 2 also sends information regarding the time of clock 26 (T22) to the first device 1, and the difference between this information and the time of clock 16 of the first device 1 (T12) when the first device 1 receives it is recorded as ΔTb on the first device 1 side. That is, if we define the time of clock 26 of the second device 2 when information or a signal is transmitted from the second device 2 to the first device 1 as T22, and the time of clock 16 of the first device 1 when the information or signal is transmitted from the second device 2 and the first device 1 receives it as T12, and the difference between them is ΔTb, then this ΔTb (the difference in transmission and reception times when information or a signal is transmitted from the second device 2 to the first device 1) is the difference (time difference: T10-T20) between the time of clock 16 of the first device 1 and the time of clock 26 of the second device 2 plus the propagation time (propagation delay) Tp, so the relationship is as shown in equation 2 below. Here too, the time difference (T10-T20) would be zero if the clock 16 of the first device 1 and the clock 26 of the second device 2 were synchronized, but here we assume that a time difference (T10-T20) exists (they are not synchronized). [Formula 2] ΔTb=T12−T22=(T10−T20)+Tp

[0059] The time differences (T20-T10) and (T10-T20) between clocks 16 and 26 are added when transmitting from the first device 1 to the second device 2, and the same amount of time difference is subtracted when transmitting from the second device 2 to the first device 1. Therefore, to find the propagation time Tp, by taking the sum of equations 1 and 2, the terms of the time differences (T20-T10) and (T10-T20) cancel each other out, resulting in the relationship shown in equation 3 below. [Formula 3] Tp=(ΔTa+ΔTb) / 2 =((T21-T11)+(T12-T22)) / 2

[0060] Therefore, the propagation time Tp can be calculated based only on the time read by the clock 16 of the first device 1 and the time read by the clock 26 of the second device 2.

[0061] Incidentally, the time difference (T10-T20) between the clock 16 of the first device 1 and the clock 26 of the second device 2 is given by the following equation 4, obtained by [Equation 1] - [Equation 2]. [Formula 4] (T10-T20)=(ΔTa−ΔTb) / 2

[0062] Subsequently, the distance between the first device 1 and the second device 2 is calculated by multiplying the propagation time calculated using Equation 3 by the propagation speed of the information or signal (e.g., high speed) (step S15).

[0063] Then, the distance between the first device 1 and the second device 2 calculated in step S15 is stored in the memory or storage unit 25 of the control unit 21 and transmitted to the server device 3 (step S16). By executing step S16, the distance calculation process is completed.

[0064] Therefore, since Equation 3, which calculates the propagation time Tp, does not include a term representing the time difference (time difference: T20-T10) between the clock 16 of the first device 1 and the clock 26 of the second device 2, it is possible to calculate the propagation time for information or signals to propagate between the first device 1 and the second device 2, regardless of whether there is a time difference between the clock 16 of the first device 1 and the clock 26 of the second device 2 (independent of the time difference (time difference: T10-T20) between the clock 16 of the first device 1 and the clock 26 of the second device 2).

[0065] [Location identification process] Next, we will explain the process of identifying the position of player P to whom the second device 2 is attached. This position identification process identifies the position of the second device 2 based on the distances between each of the multiple first devices 1 and the second device 2, which were calculated in the distance calculation process. Since the second device 2 is attached to or attached to player P who is playing team sports at a sports facility, it can be said that this process identifies the position of player P who is at the venue where the team sports are being held.

[0066] This positioning process should preferably be performed immediately after the distance calculation process is completed. Furthermore, in order to determine the position of the second device 2, it is assumed that the distance calculation device has calculated the distance to each of the multiple first devices 1 for each of the second devices 2.

[0067] In other words, when obtaining three-dimensional positional information (x, y, z coordinates) of a player P playing a team sport at the venue, the position of the second device 2 can be determined by a well-known multi-point surveying calculation method based on the distance between one second device 2 and at least four first devices 1, and the positional information of each of the four first devices 1 used to calculate this distance. Therefore, since this team sports analysis system S can determine the three-dimensional position of the second device 2 if four or more data points of the distance between the first device 1 and the second device 2 are available, it is preferable to appropriately distribute the first device 1 so that even if the second device 2 moves, the second device 2 can send and receive information or signals with at least four first devices 1. In particular, in locations where positional accuracy is required, it is necessary to pre-adjust the number and three-dimensional position of the first device 1 to achieve the required accuracy.

[0068] Figure 7 shows a flowchart of the location identification process according to an embodiment of the present invention. This location identification process can be performed on any of the first device 1, the second device 2, or the server device 3. When the location identification process is performed on the first device 1 or the server device 3, the distance between each of the multiple first devices 1 and the second device 2, as well as the location information of the first device 1, can be associated with the identification information of the second device 2, transmitted to the first device 1 or the server device 3, and used.

[0069] First, as a prerequisite for the location determination process to be executed, distance information for at least four different first devices 1 and second devices 2 must be obtained at the same time or close together. Here, close together means that the time at which the distances of the four first devices 1 and second devices 2 used to determine the location of second device 2 were calculated is within a range that does not hinder the capture of the movement of second device 2. If the calculations are not made at the same time or close together (for example, if the time at which the propagation time of information or signals between each of the multiple first devices 1 and second device 2 is measured is the same time or close together), it becomes difficult to accurately determine the location of second device 2 (player P at the venue) assuming that it is moving.

[0070] Therefore, first, it is determined whether four or more data points of the distance between the first device 1 and the second device 2 have been acquired within a predetermined time range (step S21).

[0071] If four or more distance data points between the first device 1 and the second device 2 are not acquired within a predetermined time range, accurate three-dimensional positional information cannot be obtained using this positioning method. Therefore, the system waits until four or more distance data points are obtained within the predetermined time range. In contrast, if four or more distance data points between the first device 1 and the second device 2 can be acquired within a predetermined time range, three-dimensional position information can be obtained with high accuracy using this position determination method that utilizes wireless bidirectional time comparison. Then, the current position of the second device 2 is determined using the multi-point surveying calculation method described above (step S22), and display processing is performed on the display screen 36 of the server device 3, such as displaying the current position of player P (second device 2) playing team sports at the sports facility (step 23). At the same time, it is preferable to store the position information of the second device 2 along with the time it was calculated in the storage unit 33 of the server device 3 for use in subsequent processing.

[0072] Therefore, if there are four or more second devices 2 and first devices 1 capable of transmitting and receiving information, carried by player P who is playing a team sport at the venue, the three-dimensional position of the second device 2 is determined by a position identification process based on the distance between each first device 1 and the second device 2 calculated by the distance calculation process, and the position information of each first device 1 used in this distance calculation. As a result, the position of the second device 2 can be continuously tracked as player P, equipped with the second device 2, moves, and the four first devices 1 from which distance calculations can be performed are switched sequentially. Thus, if there are four or more first devices 1 capable of calculating distance, it becomes possible to determine the three-dimensional position of the second device 2. By adjusting the mounting locations and heights of the first devices 1 and appropriately distributing them, it becomes possible to capture the position of the displaced second device 2 in real time.

[0073] By performing the above processing for all players P (players P equipped with the second device 2) playing team sports at the venue, accurate three-dimensional positional information for all players P at the venue can be obtained. For example, as shown in Figure 8, the positions of the players P (positions of the second device 2) can be superimposed on a floor plan of the venue to make the movements of the players P visually understandable. The control unit 31 may also display multiple second devices 2 on the display screen 36 in an identifiable manner, as shown in Figure 8, based on the identification information of the second device 2. Although Figure 8 illustrates the display of the positional information of multiple players P in two dimensions, the system is not limited to this. The positions of the players P may also be displayed in three dimensions based on the three-dimensional position of the identified second device 2 and the three-dimensional spatial information of the venue acquired in advance.

[0074] In conventional methods for calculating propagation time based on the difference between the transmission time of a transmitting device (corresponding to the first device 1) and the reception time of a receiving device (corresponding to the second device 2), even if multiple transmitting devices are time-synchronized, if the transmitting and receiving devices are not time-synchronized, the calculated propagation time will differ from the actual propagation time if there is a time difference between the two devices. In other words, if the receiving device is different, the calculated propagation time may differ. In contrast, this system calculates the propagation time based on the transmission and reception times in both directions between the first device 1 and the second device 2, and then calculates the distance between the first device 1 and the second device 2. Therefore, even if there is a time difference between the first device 1 and the second device 2, there is no inconvenience in that the calculated propagation time will differ.

[0075] Furthermore, if the second device 2 equipped by each player P is not time-synchronized, the location information of all players P at the venue at a given time, recorded on the server device 3, will become inaccurate (a discrepancy will occur between the location recorded on the server device 3 at a given time and the actual location at that time), which could lead to significant errors in the analysis. In team sports, even a one-second difference in the time of acquisition can greatly alter the position of each player P and their arrangement with each other. Therefore, in order to properly analyze the performance of each player P, all devices (first device 1 and second device 2) must be time-synchronized. Therefore, by synchronizing the time of the second device 2 with the time of the first device 1 based on the time difference in equation 4 above, and by synchronizing multiple first devices 1 together with the server device 3 at a predetermined timing, it becomes possible to synchronize the times of all first devices 1 and second devices 2. This makes it possible to collect accurate location information of all players P at the event venue at the same time, enabling more accurate performance analysis.

[0076] Therefore, by using the team sports analysis system S described above, it becomes possible to track the location information of multiple players P with high accuracy even in venues where it was difficult to obtain accurate location information of all players P using conventional sensors, such as indoor facilities, urban areas with many high-rise buildings, and mountainous areas, and to perform performance analysis in real time based on the acquired location information. This makes it possible to evaluate whether the team's tactics are being executed as planned, or whether they are responding optimally to the opposing team's tactics. Furthermore, by analyzing the interactions between individual players P, it becomes possible to make more concrete tactical improvements such as pass options, how to create space, and how to maintain distance from opposing players P, thereby strengthening team coordination and improving the positioning and decision-making of individual players P. Furthermore, by analyzing the movements of the entire team, it becomes possible to optimize formations, such as determining which player P is most effective in which position when executing a specific tactic, and evaluating which formations are effective against a particular opponent. In addition, by comparing data obtained from training with data from competition, it is possible to analyze how training affects competition, empirically measure the effectiveness of training, and adjust it as needed. Furthermore, because it becomes possible to acquire the three-dimensional positional information of player P, it becomes possible to analyze fine movements that were difficult to capture with conventional technology, such as the height and depth of jumps and the angle of dives.

[0077] As shown in Figure 2, the team sports analysis system S may also include, in addition to the first device 1 and the second device 2, a third device 6 that each player P carries and which can acquire body movement information indicating the movements of each player P's body (such as limb movements) and posture (such as body tilt). The third device 6 may be, for example, multiple small wearable sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, strain gauge) worn by the player P, a motion capture camera, or a video camera.

[0078] In a configuration that includes a third device 6, as shown in Figure 9, a machine learning device 5 may be provided, which is connected to a communication network 4 and includes an input data acquisition unit 51 that acquires data sets including the position information of the second device 2 at a predetermined timing and body movement information acquired by the third device 6 as input data; a label acquisition unit 52 that acquires data sets including an evaluation of the overall performance of each player P and the entire team at the predetermined timing as labels; and a learning model construction unit 53 that constructs a learning model by performing supervised learning using the input data and label pairs as training data. With such a machine learning device 5, it becomes possible to infer the evaluation of the performance of player P and the entire team based on the position information of the second device 2 acquired from the server device 3 and the body movement information of player P acquired from the third device 6. With this configuration, it becomes possible to identify performance problems of player P that tend to be overlooked in conventional evaluation methods. Furthermore, by integrating the evaluation of each player P's performance with the analysis of the team's overall performance, it becomes possible to perform analysis from a more comprehensive perspective, such as how the performance of a particular player P affects the entire team.

[0079] Furthermore, depending on the size of the venue, for example, it is certainly possible that multiple different groups may each use the team sports analysis system S. In such cases, the location information of the second device 2 held by players P from different groups is unnecessary and may even become noise. Therefore, the server device 3 may be configured to selectively receive only the location information of the second device 2 that transmits the identification information associated with its own device, from among the identification information that identifies the second device 2.

[0080] Furthermore, while the above example illustrates a configuration in which the location information of the second device 2 is displayed on the display screen 36 of the server device 3, the system is not limited to this configuration, and it is certainly possible to display the information on another display device connected to the server device 3 via the communication network 4.

[0081] Furthermore, the team sports analysis system S described above can also be provided in the form of a program (team sports analysis program) that causes a computer to execute each step of the team sports analysis method described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1 1st device 16 Clocks 2 Second device 26 Clock 3 Server equipment 36 Display screen 6 Third device P Player S Team Sports Analysis System

Claims

1. A team sports analysis system that identifies and analyzes the locations of all players by using a plurality of first devices placed at and around the venue of a team sport, each capable of identifying its own location, and a second device carried by all players of the team sport, Distance calculation means for calculating the distance between each of the multiple first devices and the second device based on the bidirectional transmission and reception times of information or signals between each of the multiple first devices and the second device, A position determination means that determines the position of the second device based on the distance between each of the first and second devices calculated by the distance calculation means, and the position information of each of the first devices, A team sports analysis system characterized by having the following features.

2. A display means that displays the location information of the second device identified by the location identification means in real time, The team sports analysis system according to claim 1, further comprising the following:

3. A third device is provided, which is carried by all players in the aforementioned team sport to acquire information on the players' body movements. A motion information acquisition means that acquires motion information of each player during movement from each of the third devices, The team sports analysis system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising the following:

4. A learning model storage means stores a learning model that has been machine-trained to store the correlation between input data including the location information of the second device identified by the location identification means and the body movement information of the multiple players during their movements acquired by the body movement information acquisition means, and output data including an evaluation of the performance of the multiple players. An evaluation estimation means that uses the learning model to estimate the performance of the multiple players based on the location information of the second device identified by the location identification means and the body movement information of the multiple players acquired by the body movement information acquisition means during their movements, The team sports analysis system according to claim 3, further comprising the features described above.

5. The distance calculation means is The difference between the time on the first device's clock when it transmits information or a signal and the time on the second device's clock when it receives the information or signal transmitted from the first device, The team sports analysis system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it calculates the propagation time of the information or signal between the first device and the second device based on the difference between the time on the second device's clock when the second device transmits information or a signal and the time on the first device's clock when the first device receives the information or signal transmitted from the second device, and calculates the distance between the first device and the second device based on this propagation time.

6. A team sports analysis method that uses a plurality of second devices, which are placed at and around the venue of a team sport and capable of identifying their own location, and a first device, which is carried by all players of the team sport, to identify and analyze the location of all players, A distance calculation step that calculates the distance between each of the multiple first devices and the second device based on the bidirectional transmission and reception times of information or signals between each of the multiple first devices and the second device, A position determination step in which the position of the second device is determined based on the distance between each of the first and second devices calculated in the distance calculation step, and the position information of each of the first devices, A method for analyzing team sports, characterized by having the following features.

7. A third device is provided, which is carried by all players in the aforementioned team sport to acquire information on the players' body movements. A motion information acquisition step in which motion information of each player during movement is acquired from each of the aforementioned third devices, A learning model storage step stores a learning model that has been machine-trained to store the correlation between input data including the location information of the second device identified in the location identification step and the body movement information of the multiple players during their movements acquired in the body movement information acquisition step, and output data including an evaluation of the performance of the multiple players. An evaluation estimation step in which, using the learning model, an evaluation of the performance of the multiple players is estimated from the position information of the second device identified in the position identification step and the body movement information of the multiple players acquired in the body movement information acquisition step, The team sports analysis method according to claim 6, further comprising the feature described above.

8. A team sports analysis program for causing a computer to perform each step of the team sports analysis method according to claim 6 or 7.

Images