3D Optical Tracking of Multiple Golf Balls Using Segmented Camera Sectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to effectively track and visually present the trajectory of a single golf ball in a crowded driving range environment with multiple in-flight golf balls, due to air space restrictions and high density of golf balls, while also filtering out static background clutter and other moving objects.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising high-resolution cameras positioned around the driving range to create contiguous video streams, a central computer processing images to calculate the 3D trajectory of golf balls, and display monitors at each tee-line bay to show the trajectory of the launched golf ball, using overlapping fields of view and mathematical calculations to filter out clutter and other balls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple cameras are positioned around the driving range to track golf balls, then the ability to track in-flight trajectory is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The driving range is divided into multiple sectors, with each sector covered by a dedicated camera pair. This segmentation allows the complex task of tracking multiple golf balls across the entire range to be broken down into manageable portions, with each camera pair independently tracking balls in its designated sector, thereby reducing the processing complexity for each individual camera while maintaining overall system accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
A central computer acts as an intermediary that receives video feeds from multiple cameras, processes the images to calculate 3D trajectories, and displays the results on monitors at tee-line bays. This intermediary component consolidates the complexity of multi-camera coordination and trajectory calculation in a central processing unit, allowing individual cameras to focus solely on capturing images in their designated sectors.
2Productivity
If the system tracks multiple golf balls simultaneously in a crowded air space, then the productivity is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air space is segmented into multiple sectors, each monitored by a dedicated camera pair. This spatial segmentation prevents camera confusion between golf balls in different sectors and allows the system to track multiple balls simultaneously without increasing the measurement difficulty for any single camera, as each camera only needs to track balls within its designated sector.
Solution Approach 2:
Each camera pair is optimized for tracking golf balls in its specific sector, with camera positioning and field of view tailored to that local area. This local optimization ensures that each camera pair can accurately identify and track multiple balls within its sector without interference from balls in other sectors, maintaining high productivity while managing detection difficulty locally.
3Measurement precision
If the system filters out background clutter and other golf balls to present only the launched ball's trajectory, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The central computer serves as an intermediary that handles the complex image processing and trajectory calculation tasks. It receives raw video feeds from cameras, processes images to calculate 3D trajectories, filters out background clutter and other golf balls, and presents only the relevant trajectory information on monitors at tee-line bays. This intermediary approach consolidates the complexity of filtering and presentation in a central processing unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and isolates the trajectory information of the launched golf ball from the complex visual data captured by cameras. By separating the relevant trajectory data from background clutter and other golf balls in the image processing stage, the system presents only the essential trajectory information to the golfer, improving measurement precision while managing complexity through centralized extraction and processing.
4Measurement precision
If high-resolution cameras are used to capture golf ball trajectories, then the measurement precision is improved, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple cameras distributed across different sectors rather than relying on a single high-resolution camera system. This segmentation allows each camera to operate at lower power levels while collectively providing comprehensive coverage and accurate trajectory tracking through coordinated operation and centralized processing, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining measurement precision.
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
Accurately tracks and presents the in-flight trajectory of a golf ball from launch to end point, filtering out background clutter and other golf balls, providing a simple, cost-effective, and efficient solution for golfers to evaluate their swing accuracy in busy driving ranges.
Implementation Method 1
an n number of cameras positioned on a periphery of the airspace for creating contiguous video streams
Implementation Method 2
the system of the present invention can include a laser light projector for presenting projected targets onto the driving range
Data Source
AI summary
A system for visually tracking the trajectory of an in-flight golf ball through an x-y-z space above a driving range includes a plurality of cameras for respectively creating a video stream of the x-y-z space. Each video stream is presented on a dedicated camera focal plane with information on respective azimuth angles θ and elevation angles ϕ from the particular camera to the in-flight golf ball. A central computer is connected with the camera focal plane of each camera to identify a start point for the golf ball, to track its trajectory in the x-y-z space, and to filter out background clutter. A visual display is provided to show the in-flight golf ball from its start point to a target point in real time.