3D Ball Position Tracking via Camera-Model Intersection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for tracking golf shots during professional tournaments are labor-intensive, requiring manual input from numerous operators to determine advanced shot metrics, such as the final rest position of the ball after bounces and rolls.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a tracking camera, storage arrangement, and processing arrangement that automatically determines the three-dimensional positional coordinates of a golf ball, using intrinsic and extrinsic calibration parameters and a 3D model of the sports play area, to track the ball's movement and calculate advanced shot metrics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual tracking by human operators is used, then measurement precision can be maintained, but device complexity and labor requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical tracking by human operators with an automated image processing system. The processing arrangement automatically detects ball positions in camera images, calculates trajectories, and determines shot metrics without human intervention, thereby reducing labor requirements while maintaining measurement precision through algorithmic processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically processing its own data. The processing arrangement uses the camera images and calibration parameters to autonomously determine ball positions, trajectories, and shot metrics without requiring external manual measurement or operator intervention, enabling the system to serve itself in the data collection and processing function.
2Speed
If radar-based tracking systems are used, then speed of data capture is improved, but measurement precision for advanced shot metrics deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces camera images as an intermediary medium between the ball motion and the measurement system. Instead of directly measuring with radar, the system captures visual information through cameras and processes this intermediary data to derive both speed information and advanced shot metrics, allowing high-speed capture while maintaining precision for complex measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from radar's traditional measurement approach to a visual dimension approach using cameras. By capturing images and processing them through image recognition and trajectory analysis, the system gains the ability to measure advanced shot metrics that radar alone cannot provide, while maintaining high-speed data capture capabilities.
3Productivity
If automated tracking systems are implemented, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate due to complexity of automated processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration of camera parameters before actual shot tracking. By pre-determining intrinsic and extrinsic calibration parameters, the system establishes accurate reference frames in advance, ensuring that subsequent automated tracking and measurement processes maintain high precision despite the complexity of automated processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing arrangement uses feedback from detected ball positions and trajectories to refine measurements. By continuously analyzing camera images and comparing detected positions against expected trajectories and physical constraints, the system corrects and validates automated measurements, maintaining precision while achieving high productivity through automation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a camera capturing images in a first field of view of a sports ball bouncing and rolling, a storage arrangement, and a processing arrangement. The storage arrangement includes a three-dimensional 3D model of a part of a sports play area and the processing arrangement is configured to: detect a pixel location of a ball in an image; determine, based on intrinsic and extrinsic calibration parameters, a camera-ball line comprising a straight line passing through the camera in the direction of the sports ball and to determine, based on the 3D model, an intersection point of the camera-ball line with the 3D model. The processor outputs the intersection point as a 3D position of the ball in the image.