Basketball Launching Device Camera Shot Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing basketball return machines lack an efficient method for detecting made shots, as existing detection devices are prone to physical wear, jamming, and inaccurate readings due to ambient lighting changes.
Innovation Solution
A basketball launching device equipped with a camera mounted to capture images of the basketball rim, using a machine learning model to determine if a shot is made or missed, providing accurate feedback without the limitations of traditional detection methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional detection devices (flappers, photo-eyes) are used to detect made shots, then the system can provide shooting feedback, but the devices are subject to physical wear, jamming, and inaccurate readings due to ambient lighting changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical detection devices (flappers) and optical sensors (photo-eyes) with a camera-based detection system. The camera captures images of the basketball and rim, and a machine learning model processes these images to determine if a shot is made. This substitution eliminates physical wear and jamming issues while providing immunity to ambient lighting changes, as the machine learning model can compensate for varying light conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a machine learning model as an intermediary between the camera and the shot detection process. The machine learning model processes the raw image data, extracting relevant features and making robust decisions about shot outcomes. This intermediary layer enables the system to interpret visual information accurately while being insensitive to environmental factors like lighting changes, thereby resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and susceptibility to harmful factors.
2Measurement precision
If detection devices are positioned in close proximity to the basketball hoop for accurate detection, then detection precision improves, but the devices are more susceptible to physical wear, jamming, and lighting interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical detection devices positioned near the hoop with a camera-based system that can be positioned at a distance. The camera captures images of the basketball and rim from its location, and the machine learning model processes these images to determine shot outcomes. This approach maintains detection precision while eliminating the need to position devices in harmful environments close to the hoop, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and susceptibility to harmful factors.
3Productivity
If multiple basketball launching devices are used in a facility, then training capacity and productivity increase, but tracking and comparing performance across multiple machines becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a centralized scoreboard system that serves multiple functions: it displays performance data from multiple basketball launching devices, enables player identification through various input methods, and provides comprehensive performance tracking and comparison. This universal system handles data aggregation, processing, and display across all devices, simplifying the complexity of tracking performance across multiple machines while maintaining high training capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback system where the centralized scoreboard provides real-time performance feedback to players using multiple launching devices. The system tracks shooting accuracy, attempts, and other metrics across all devices, and displays this information in a unified interface. This feedback mechanism simplifies performance tracking by consolidating data from multiple sources and presenting it in an easily interpretable format, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Basketball practice machines, systems, and methods with multi-machine performance tracking are disclosed, which include basketball passing machines each comprising a local controller. A central database receives shooting statistics data and associated player identification information from the local controllers of the basketball passing machines. A central electronic display generates a shooting performance display including the shooting statistics data and the associated player identification from the basketball passing machines.