System for capturing and transmitting images of sporting events

Abstract

A system for capturing and transmitting images of sporting events comprising: at least one mast (1) configured to be fixed at one of the corners or on one of the sides of a playing field (C), and incorporating: an upper video camera (2a), orientable, mounted on the top of the mast (1); a lower video camera (2b), orientable, arranged within a housing defined within a lower area of the mast (1) and oriented towards playing field; a geospatial sensor (3) providing a three-dimensional scanned representation of the playing field, and electronics (4), associated with said upper and lower cameras and with said geospatial sensor and connected to a mobile unit (10).

Description

DESCRIPTION

[0001] System for capturing and transmitting images of sporting events.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a system for capturing and transmitting images of sporting events that is applicable to playing fields and preferably, but not exclusively, to soccer fields.PRIOR ART

[0003] Increasingly sophisticated video systems are incorporated into sports broadcasting in order to allow match plays to be observed from different angles and analyzed in detail, for example to determine if a foul has occurred or if the ball has overshot the boundaries of the field. Specific cameras are used to do this, such as the Hawk-Eye, or a Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

[0004] The following is some background information reflecting the state of the art.

[0005] The document closest to the invention is the utility model U202032221 (ES 1259134U U) by the same applicant as the present invention, relating to a corner flag with an integrated camera comprising a set of cameras and a microphone for recording the actions and sounds from said point of view, one of the cameras being of the FTV type, located on the mast of the flag, and another of the PTZ type arranged inside a transparent spherical capsule located at the apex or end of the flag.

[0006] EP1911499A2 refers to a device for the monitoring and evaluation of sporting actions that is especially applicable to competitive games wherein a ball, or element of a game, is involved that must hit or cross a delimited spacein order to simulate or obtain a game point, wherein the presence of the ball, or element of a game, is monitored within said delimited space by means of sensors that determine and retain in inspectable memory the spatial characteristics of the point that the ball, or element of a game, has reached and crossed said delimited space.

[0007] US2023196770 discloses a sports system that includes a display screen, a plurality of sensors configured to generate data regarding a sporting attempt on the part of a user, devices for capturing images of the sporting attempt, a loudspeaker, and a control unit. The control unit, based on the data received from the sensor, may determine whether or not the sporting attempt was successful.

[0008] US2023191228 discloses a system for improving first down marking in broadcasting, comprising: at least one post; and at least one laser source provided upon, or within, at least one post, wherein the one or more laser sources is / are configured to provide a visual indication of the position of the ball within a field using a projected laser line configured to terminate at a specific distance downfield.

[0009] W02022050792A1 discloses a tennis autonomous training system, comprising: a central processing unit including a photographing unit for photographing a tennis game situation and a control unit for analyzing the game situation based upon the video obtained from the photographing unit; and a ball machine unit that moves and launches a ball in accordance with the instructions of the central processing unit.

[0010] DE102007049147 claims the use of a sensor system for detecting movement sequences of persons, in particular movement sequences of sportspersons and / or sports equipment and / or game situations in sports, the sensor system having the characteristic that at least one sensor device resolves angles and distances.

[0011] CN 104889989 discloses a soccer corner post photography robot comprising a rectangular body photography device arranged on the bottom of an insertion rod; a photography sensor arranged on the outer side end surface of the photography device; a corner post arranged on the top of the body of the robot; a recording device arranged on the top of the corner post.

[0012] The technical problem that arises is with capturing and transmitting images of sporting events to allow for improvement of the quality of sports broadcasting and greater accuracy in the analysis of plays and actions that occur during the game than what video cameras provide.DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The system for capturing and transmitting images of sporting events, object of the present invention, is applicable to playing fields and wherein the objective thereof is to improve the quality of sports broadcasting and to provide greater accuracy in the analysis of plays and actions that occur during the game,

[0014] To this end, the system of the invention comprises upper and lower cameras that provide video images in combination with geospatial sensors that provide three-dimensional images obtained by means of scanning, in order to obtain and compile sufficient data for the correct progression of the sport and to avoid any infraction or controversy that may occur on the playing field as well as to monitor in detail technical aspects and relevant situations that may occur unnoticed on said playing field and in its surroundings.

[0015] Another objective of the invention is to allow for the capturing of plays or actions right from the boundary of the playing field by incorporating video cameras and geospatial sensors within areas occupied by elements of the playing field, such as corner flags on soccer fields, the net support masts ontennis courts, or other similar elements, with said geospatial cameras and sensors occupying positions where the tripod cameras that are manually operated by an operator and currently used in sports broadcasts cannot be placed.

[0016] The proposed solution consists of incorporating geospatial sensors and cameras that are capable of a horizontal rotation movement (PAN) on at least one mast, placed right on the boundary of the playing field, either in one of the comers or on one of the sides of the playing field, and which additionally serves as a support for an element specific to said playing field, such as a corner flag in the case of soccer, a net in the case of tennis or volleyball, or other elements in different sports.

[0017] To improve the quality of sports broadcasting, it is envisaged that the video cameras and geospatial sensors placed on the masts will be connected by means of electro-optical junction boxes, which convert electrical signals into optical signals, and fiber optics with a main control box that converts the optical signals back into electrical signals to send them to a mobile unit and that has a user interface for preselecting the video cameras and geospatial sensors to be managed and for making adjustments to said cameras, such as: movements, white balance, color adjustments, black level, gamma, etc.

[0018] Both the height arrangement and the inclination of the video cameras located on the masts fall within certain parameters such that the image captured by said video cameras has the same perspective as an individual located at the boundary of the playing field, namely in a position inaccessible to spectators and specifically in the position occupied by those masts carrying the cameras and the geospatial sensors of the invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTENTS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] To complement the description in progress and in order to facilitate an understanding of the features of the invention, this specification is accompanied by a set of drawings wherein, by way of illustration and not limitation, the following has been represented:- Figure 1 shows a schematic plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the system for capturing and transmitting images of sporting events, with four masts carrying video cameras and arranged at the corners of a generic playing field.- Figure 2 shows an example of the implementation of one of the masts bearing the video cameras and geospatial sensors of the system of the invention, configured as a corner flag for soccer fields, and which incorporates a damping element in its lower area and a corner flag in its upper area.- Figure 3 shows a connection diagram of the various elements of the system for capturing and transmitting images of sporting events of figure 1 .DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0020] In Figure 1 , the system for capturing and transmitting images of sporting events comprises at least one mast (1 ) configured to be arranged at one of the comers or on one of the sides of a playing field (C), and which, as shown in Figure 2, incorporates: an upper video camera (2a), horizontally orientable (PAM), mounted on the top of the mast (1 ); a lower video camera (2b), orientable, arranged within a housing defined within a lower area of the mast (1 ) and oriented towards the playing field (C); a geospatial sensor (3), consisting in this case of a LIDAR scanner placed within an intermediate area of the mast (1 ), which provides a three-dimensional representation of space, obtained by means of scanning, and electronics (4) associated with said upper and lower cameras (2a, 2b) and with said geospatial sensor (3).

[0021] In said Figure 1 , the upper and lower cameras (2a, 2b) and the geospatial sensor (3) of each mast (1 ) are connected to an electro-optical junction box (5); the electro-optical junction boxes (5) of the masts (1 ) are connected in turn to a main control box (8) by means of fiber-optic cables.

[0022] The system comprises electro-optical junction boxes (5) that are associated with the corresponding mast (1 ) and that, as shown in Figure 3, comprise: electrical power supplies (51 ) for the electro-optical junction box (5), of the upper and lower cameras (2a, 2b), of the geospatial sensor (3) of the corresponding mast (1 ) and of the electronics (4) associated with said upper and lower cameras (2a, 2b) and the geospatial sensor (3); cables (6) for receiving electrical signals from the upper and lower cameras (2a, 2b) and from the geospatial sensor (3) of the corresponding mast (1 ) and for sending control and adjustment signals to said upper and lower cameras (2a, 2b) and to the geospatial sensor (3); a converter (52) for converting the electrical signals received from the upper and lower video cameras (2a, 2b) and from the geospatial sensor (3) of the corresponding mast (1 ), into optical signals; fiber-optic cables (7) for sending said optical signals to a main control box (8), that is common to all of the electro-optical junction boxes (5).

[0023] In said figure 3, said main control boxes (8) comprise: a converter (81 ), into electrical signals, of the optical signals originating from the electro-optical junction boxes (5); output cables (9) for the HD video electrical signals connected to a mobile unit (10); a power supply (82) and a user interface (83) comprising a mast preselector to be managed and knobs for controlling the movement and adjustment of the upper and lower cameras (2a, 2b) and the geospatial sensor (3) of the preselected mast (1 ).

[0024] In the example shown in Figure 2, the mast (1 ) has a height of 80 cm or more in order to facilitate the capturing of the video images and the scanned three-dimensional images, both within the playing field (C) and on the sidelines or areas attached thereto, from the location of the masts arranged at the boundary of the playing field. The upper cameras (2a) have a horizontal movement capability (PAN) with an amplitude equal to, or less than, 300°.

[0025] With the same objective of correctly capturing images of the game, given that said upper cameras (2a) are located on a mast (1 ), at a height of 80 cm or more, they are arranged with an inclination of between 3° and 8° with respect to the horizontal and preferably of 5°, thereby capturing the entire depth of the playing field and providing a view that is similar to that of a person standing at the location of the mast (1 ).

[0026] The lower cameras (2b), insofar as they are located within a lower housing of the corresponding mast (1 ), have a horizontal movement capability (PAN) equal to, or less than, 40°, thus avoiding excessively reducing the strength of the section of the mast (1 ) within the mounting area of said lower camera (2b).

[0027] Said lower cameras (2b) are arranged at a height of between 30 and 40 cm from the ground and at an inclination of between 10° and 20° with respect to the horizontal; preferably at a height of 50 cm and at an inclination of 15°.

[0028] The geospatial sensor (3), consisting of a three-dimensional LIDAR scanner, is arranged within an intermediate area of the mast, between the upper and lower (2a, 2b) video cameras.

[0029] In the example shown in Figure 2, the masts (1 ) have a height of 150 cm. and comprise coupling means suitable for the attachment of a corner flag (11 ), in this case for soccer fields and, within the lower area thereof, a flexible damping element (12) that allows the mast to be tilted in the event of a side impact.

[0030] Optionally, the masts (1 ) may have different heights depending upon the function of the sports field for which they are intended, for example in the order of 90 cm when serving as a support for holding a tennis net, or greater than 200 cm when serving as a support for a volleyball net; they also have suitable means for holding a flag, a net, or any other element of the playing field for which they are intended.

[0031] Once the nature of the invention has been sufficiently described, as well as an example of a preferred embodiment, it is hereby stated that the materials, shape, size, and arrangement of the elements described may be modified, provided that this does not entail an alteration to the essential features of the invention as claimed below.

Claims

Claims1. A system for capturing and transmitting images of sporting events comprising: at least one mast (1 ) configured to be arranged at one of the comers or on one of the sides of a playing field (C), and incorporating: an upper video camera (2a), orientable, mounted on the top of the mast (1 ); a lower video camera (2b), orientable, arranged within a housing defined within a lower area of the mast (1 ) and oriented towards the playing field, and electronics (4) associated with said upper and lower cameras and connected to a mobile unit (10) characterized in that it comprises:- a geospatial sensor (3), in combination with the upper and lower cameras (2a, 2b), connected to the electronics (4) of the corresponding mast (1 ) and providing a scanned three-dimensional representation of the playing field, and- an electro-optical junction box (5) associated with each of the masts (1 ) and comprising:- electrical power supplies (51 ) for the electro-optical junction box (5), of the upper and lower cameras (2a, 2b) and for the geospatial sensor (3) of the corresponding mast (1 ), and of the electronics (4) of the mast (1 );- cables (6) for receiving electrical signals of the images captured by the upper and lower cameras (2a, 2b) and the geospatial sensor (3) of the corresponding mast (1 ) and for sending movement control and adjustment signals to said upper and lower cameras (2a, 2b) and geospatial sensor (3);- a converter (52) into optical signals of the electrical signals received from the upper and lower cameras (2a, 2b) and from the corresponding geospatial sensor of the mast (3) and,- fiber-optic cables (7) for sending said optical signals to a main control box (8) connected to the mobile unit (10).

2. The system for capturing and transmitting images, according to claim 1 , wherein the main control box (8) comprises: a converter (81 ) into electrical signals of the optical signals coming from the electro-optical junction boxes (5); output cables (9) for the electrical video and three-dimensional imagesignals connected to said mobile unit (10); a power supply (82) and a user interface (83) comprising a mast preselector (1 ) to be managed and knobs for movement control and adjustment of the upper and lower cameras (2a, 2b) and the geospatial sensor (3) of the preselected mast (1 ).

3. The system for capturing and transmitting images of claim 1 , wherein the mast (1) has a height of 80 cm or more.

4. The system for capturing and transmitting images, according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper cameras (2a) have a horizontal movement capability (PAN) with an amplitude equal to, or less than, 300°.

5. The system for capturing and transmitting images, according to claim 4, wherein the upper cameras (2) are arranged at an inclination of between 3° and 8° with respect to the horizontal.

6. The system for capturing and transmitting images, according to claim 1 , wherein the lower cameras (2b) have a horizontal movement capability (PAN) with an amplitude equal to, or less than, 40°.

7. The system for capturing and transmitting images, according to claim 6, wherein the lower cameras (2b) are arranged at a height of between 30 and 40 cm from the ground, and at an inclination of between 10° and 20° with respect to the horizontal.

8. The system for capturing and transmitting images, according to claim 1 , wherein the masts (1 ) comprise suitable coupling means for the attachment of a corner flag for soccer fields.

9. The system for capturing and transmitting images, according to any previous claim, wherein the masts (1 ) comprise within their lower area a flexible damping element.

10. The system for capturing and transmitting images, according to claim 1 , wherein the masts (1) comprise suitable coupling means for the attachment of a tennis net, or other element typical of the playing field of the sporting event.

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