Circular Buffer Video Capture for Sports Replay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current video capture and data recording systems for sports applications are limited by slow image processing, low image quality, and inadequate collaboration tools, leading to inefficient data retrieval and analysis during and after sporting events.
Innovation Solution
A system that captures and stores real-time data in a circular buffer, allowing for immediate viewing and analysis with variable spatial and temporal resolution, enabling features like zoom, cropping, and temporal manipulation, and facilitating collaborative annotation and sharing of video data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If thermal printers are used to print video images during games, then images can be viewed and analyzed, but the printing speed is slow (10-90 seconds) and only one print is allowed per play
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical thermal printing system with a digital video capture and display system. Instead of using thermal printers that physically print images, the system captures video frames digitally, stores them in a circular buffer, and allows immediate viewing on electronic displays. This substitution eliminates the slow mechanical printing process entirely, enabling instant access to game images without the 10-90 second delays of thermal printing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates digital copies of video frames through electronic capture rather than physical prints. The circular buffer stores multiple video frames as digital data, allowing unlimited copies to be made instantly. This digital copying approach replaces the physical printing process, enabling coaches to view multiple images simultaneously without the constraints of thermal printer limitations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple video cameras and printers are deployed for each play, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but the system complexity increases and collaboration becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple camera feeds and video processing functions into a single integrated system. Instead of having separate printers and cameras for each play, the system combines all camera inputs into one centralized video capture system with a circular buffer. This consolidation allows multiple coaches to access the same video data simultaneously through electronic displays, enabling easy collaboration without the complexity of coordinating multiple independent printing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal video review system that serves multiple functions: capturing video from multiple cameras, storing in circular buffer, enabling instant viewing, allowing telestration, and facilitating collaboration. This single multi-functional system replaces the need for multiple specialized devices (printers, cameras, labeling systems), reducing overall system complexity while enhancing collaboration capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If manual marking and cataloging is performed for each play, then detailed annotations can be added, but the process is labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual physical marking with electronic telestration tools. Instead of coaches using markers to annotate physical prints, the system provides electronic drawing tools that allow annotation of digital video frames displayed on screens. This electronic substitution eliminates the labor-intensive process of manually marking and cataloging, enabling quick and efficient annotations without time delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary digital capture and storage of video frames in the circular buffer before any analysis or annotation is needed. This preliminary action of digitizing and storing the video data immediately after capture eliminates the need for subsequent manual cataloging and marking processes, as all data is already in electronic format ready for instant access and analysis.
4Reliability
If video data is captured and stored for later analysis, then comprehensive data is available, but dropped frames occur and data may be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous video capture and storage in a circular buffer that operates without interruption. The system continuously captures and stores video frames in real-time, ensuring that no frames are dropped or lost. This continuous operation maintains reliable data completeness, allowing full playback and analysis of the entire game without gaps or missing information that would occur with intermittent capture methods.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for monitoring a sporting event includes devices for monitoring characteristics of the event and collecting monitored data. Devices address different aspects of the event and monitor and collect real-time data. The devices process the data into digitized frames, and a digital storage device receives and stores the frames in a random access storage buffer as time-stamped digitized data frames with unique addresses. The storage device is capable of both time-shifting and relational association. The system includes a controller and devices for monitoring and extracting a digitized data frame according to a predetermined criterion. A viewer communicates with the storage device and controller and selects, manipulates, and extracts the digitized data frame. The system records and plays back the monitored data using a circular storage buffer with a memory mapped file and allows playback of stored data without interrupting simultaneous recording of new input data.