Corner-Oriented Pylon Cameras for Football Replay Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera systems mounted on football field pylons cannot simultaneously provide clear, high-definition views of both the goal line and sideline areas, leading to inaccuracies in determining touchdowns, and they often fail to meet safety standards and efficiency requirements.
Innovation Solution
A pylon-mounted camera assembly with corner-oriented cameras, each with a wide-angle lens capable of viewing over 90 degrees, positioned orthogonally to each other, and a third camera directly facing the goal line, along with a hard-wired transmission system to reduce latency and meet safety standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If cameras are mounted on pylon faces directed toward goal line or sidelines, then each camera can capture that specific area, but the cameras cannot simultaneously see where the goal line and sideline intersect to determine touchdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions cameras at the corner of the pylon rather than on flat faces, utilizing the three-dimensional corner space to achieve orthogonal alignment. This dimensional positioning allows cameras to view both the goal line and sideline simultaneously from a unique vantage point that captures the intersection area where touchdowns are determined.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric camera placement with two cameras positioned orthogonally at the corner (one facing goal line, one facing sideline) rather than symmetric placement on opposite faces. This asymmetric configuration optimizes the viewing angle to capture the critical intersection area while maintaining balanced coverage of both boundary lines.
2Reliability
If wireless transmission is used for video signals, then installation is simplified, but transmission latency increases and reliability decreases for critical scoring plays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wireless transmission with a hard-wired transmission system that physically connects the corner-mounted cameras to the video replay system. This wired connection eliminates signal interference and latency issues inherent in wireless systems, ensuring reliable and immediate transmission of critical scoring play footage.
3Measurement precision
If multiple cameras are positioned to view goal line and sideline intersections, then touchdown determination accuracy improves, but the number of cameras and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By utilizing the corner position in three-dimensional space, the patent enables two cameras to achieve orthogonal viewing angles that would require multiple cameras if positioned on flat surfaces. This dimensional advantage reduces the total camera count while maintaining comprehensive coverage of the goal line and sideline intersections.
Solution Approach 2:
The corner-mounted camera configuration serves multiple functions simultaneously: it captures the goal line, the sideline, and their intersection area with a single camera each, whereas traditional face-mounted cameras would require additional cameras to achieve the same comprehensive coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
A pylon-mounted camera assembly comprising a body including a first face and a second face adjacent to the first face, such that the first face and the second face form a first corner, a first aperture arranged on a portion of and centered about the first corner, and a first camera positioned within the first aperture, the first camera facing outwardly from the body.