Automated Camera Framing for Fencing via Position Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for filming athletes in fencing competitions are prone to inaccuracies due to human error in maintaining the video camera's focus on moving fencers, particularly during rapid exchanges, leading to missed frames and ineffective video assistance for referees.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a motor-driven video camera support, a secondary fixed camera for position tracking, and a processing unit that uses real-time video processing or radio/optical transmitters/receivers to determine fencer positions and adjust the camera's orientation automatically, ensuring continuous framing of the fencers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a person manually operates the video camera to maintain framing on moving fencers, then the camera can be adjusted to follow the athletes, but the framing accuracy deteriorates due to human error and inattentiveness during rapid exchanges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical operation of the camera with an automated electronic system. A detection device tracks the positions of fencers using their clothing colors, and a control unit automatically adjusts the camera orientation based on detected positions, eliminating human error in manual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the camera to automatically track and frame the fencers without human intervention. The detection device continuously monitors fencer positions, and the control unit self-adjusts the camera orientation in real-time, making the system self-sufficient for maintaining accurate framing.
2Area of stationary object
If the video camera is positioned behind the referee at a height greater than the referee, then the referee's view is not obstructed, but the camera setup becomes more complex requiring mobile support and manual adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mobile mechanical support system with a simplified fixed mounting structure. The automated detection and control system eliminates the need for manual mechanical adjustment mechanisms, reducing device complexity while maintaining proper camera positioning.
3Measurement precision
If automated detection devices with tags and complex communication sections are used to track fencer positions, then framing accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the fencers' existing clothing colors as the detection target instead of expensive electronic tags. The detection device simply identifies the colored clothing items worn by fencers, eliminating the need for complex tag communication systems while maintaining accurate position tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the visual information from the fencers' clothing colors as a copy or representation of their positions. Instead of directly tracking physical tags, the detection device captures and processes color information from the fencers' attire to determine their locations and maintain framing.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Method to adjust the orientation of a mobile video camera (5) suited to film a pair of athletes (2) moving on a field of play (1), wherein the position of the athletes (2) is determined relative to a coordinate system integral to the field of play (1) by using radio transmitters (12; 16), which are applied to the bodies of the athletes (2), and radio receivers (13; 17) arranged around, and fixed relative to the field of play (1) and interfaced with a processing and control unit (9), the processing and control unit (9) determines an intermediate position between the two athletes (2) as a function of the current positions of two athletes (2), and a motor-driven moving device (7) moves the mobile video camera (5) so as to center the respective framing (10) on the intermediate position.