Composite Ball Trajectory Image for Bounce Position Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ball trajectory tracking systems face challenges in balancing camera/image resolution and shutter speed, leading to poor image definition and blur issues due to non-uniform illumination and occlusions, which affect the accuracy of ball detection and processing.
Innovation Solution
The method involves constructing a composite image from sequences of ball images using high-resolution cameras with low frame rates and long shutter exposure times to create a tube-like representation of the ball's trajectory, allowing for three-dimensional tracking and bounce position determination, even in lower light conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high resolution cameras are used to improve ball definition, then image quality improves, but the number of images that can be taken during ball flight decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple low-frame-rate image sequences are merged into a composite trajectory image that contains continuous ball position information. The system combines several sequences captured at different times to create a single composite image showing the complete ball trajectory, effectively increasing the information content without requiring higher frame rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from tracking ball position in discrete time steps (frames) to representing ball position as a continuous spatial trajectory. By creating a composite image that shows the ball's path as a continuous visual trace rather than discrete positions, the system gains temporal continuity without increasing frame rate.
2Loss of information
If long shutter exposure times are used to capture ball trajectory, then trajectory visibility improves, but image blur increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sequences with different exposure characteristics are combined to create a composite image. The merging process allows the system to extract clear ball position information from sequences that individually contain blur, by aggregating the positional data across multiple captures.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite trajectory image acts as an intermediary representation that translates blurred individual frames into clear trajectory information. Rather than directly using the blurred images for measurement, the system creates an intermediate composite representation that preserves the trajectory data while eliminating the blur artifact.
3Productivity
If standard ball detection methods are used, then processing speed is maintained, but accuracy decreases due to occlusions and lighting variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary construction of the composite trajectory image before detailed ball detection and analysis. By pre-processing the data into a composite representation that emphasizes the trajectory pattern, the system simplifies subsequent detection tasks and improves accuracy without adding significant processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite trajectory image uses visual differentiation (analogous to color changes) to distinguish the ball trajectory from background elements and occluding objects. The trajectory is represented as a distinct visual feature that can be easily separated from other image content during processing.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed in some examples is a method, system and medium relating to determining a ball trajectory and bounce position on a playing surface. An example method includes recording a first and a second sequence of ball images before and after a ball bounce on the playing surface; constructing a composite image of the trajectory of the ball from the first and second sequences; and determining a bounce position of the ball from the composite image.