Game Ball Optical Tracking With NIR Retro-Reflective Regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing game balls, such as basketballs, volleyballs, and soccer balls, are challenging to modify for tracking without impacting their appearance or performance characteristics, making it difficult to accurately track spin, location, and speed for player training, fan engagement, and officiating assistance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating optically highlighted tracked regions on game balls using retro-reflective layers with NIR+ filters or NIR+ absorbing materials that provide camera-detectable contrast while being minimally visible to the naked eye, allowing for optical tracking through computer vision systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional tracking methods are used on game balls, then tracking capability is improved, but the appearance and performance characteristics of the game ball are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a retro-reflective coating with NIR+ filter properties that changes the optical characteristics of the game ball surface. The coating appears dark to the naked eye but reflects near-infrared light, creating a visual contrast that enables tracking while maintaining the ball's traditional appearance during normal play.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (retro-reflective coating with NIR+ filter) between the camera system and the game ball. This intermediary layer selectively reflects near-infrared light while absorbing visible light, enabling the camera to detect the ball's movement without requiring modifications to the ball itself that would affect its performance.
2Measurement precision
If retro-reflective layers with NIR+ filters are applied to game balls, then camera-detectable contrast is improved, but visibility to the naked eye is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the game ball surface by applying a coating with specific NIR+ filter properties. The coating has high reflectivity in the near-infrared spectrum (700-2500 nm) and high absorption in the visible spectrum (400-700 nm), creating a dichromatic optical response that is detectable by cameras but invisible to the human eye under normal lighting conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the retro-reflective coating with NIR+ filter properties to specific tracked regions on the game ball rather than the entire surface. This localized application creates contrast between tracked and untracked regions, enabling tracking while minimizing visual impact on the overall appearance of the ball during play.
3Measurement precision
If modifications are made to game balls for tracking, then tracking capability is improved, but player experience is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical or physical modifications to the ball (such as adding tracks, sensors, or visible markers) with an optical solution using retro-reflective materials with NIR+ filter properties. This substitution allows tracking without mechanical additions that would affect the ball's handling characteristics or player experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an optical intermediary (retro-reflective coating with NIR+ filter) that mediates between the tracking system and the game ball. This intermediary enables tracking functionality without requiring direct mechanical or physical modifications to the ball's structure, thereby preserving player experience and handling characteristics.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances the ability to track game ball movement parameters like spin, location, and speed accurately without affecting player experience or ball performance, facilitating player training, fan engagement, and officiating assistance.
Implementation Method 1
retro-reflective layers with NIR+ filters or NIR+ absorbing materials
Implementation Method 2
NIR+ absorbing materials that provide camera-detectable contrast
Data Source
AI summary
A game ball for an optical tracking system includes a tracked region on the game ball. The tracked region includes a retro reflective surface and an optical filter overlying the retro reflective surface.