Golf Broadcast Putt Overlay Using 3D Mesh Camera Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for augmenting golf broadcasts with putt predictions are cumbersome, requiring lengthy calibration and are limited to fixed camera perspectives, often obstructed by players, and lack accuracy in trajectory overlays.
Innovation Solution
A method using a broadcast camera to overlay a virtual 3D mesh with ball trajectory and aiming points, aligning it with the camera's field of view by comparing physical features like hole diameter and flagstick markings, without real-time tracking, allowing moveable camera perspectives and quick alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a calibrated camera with motion tracking is used to overlay ball trajectory, then trajectory overlay accuracy is improved, but calibration time and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The putting green topography is pre-scanned and stored as a 3D mesh before the broadcast. During the broadcast, the system only needs to locate the ball and hole positions on this pre-existing mesh, eliminating the need for time-consuming real-time calibration while maintaining accurate trajectory overlay.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex motion tracking to capture the actual camera movement, the system creates a virtual copy of the putting green environment with pre-stored topographic data. This virtual model is then overlaid on the broadcast footage, achieving accurate trajectory display without requiring precise real-time measurement of camera position and movement.
2Measurement precision
If stationary cameras are used to maintain fixed perspective for trajectory overlay, then overlay accuracy is improved, but adaptability to different camera positions and obstructions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the 3D mesh overlay to match the current camera perspective by using the broadcast camera's actual position and orientation data. This allows the trajectory overlay to remain accurate regardless of whether the camera is stationary or moving, and regardless of the camera angle or potential obstructions.
3Measurement precision
If complex calibration and tracking systems are implemented, then trajectory overlay accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and removes the complex real-time calibration and motion tracking components from the solution. Instead, it uses a simplified approach with pre-stored 3D mesh data and basic camera position information, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining trajectory overlay accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical motion tracking systems with a computational approach using pre-stored 3D models and camera position data. This substitution eliminates the need for sophisticated hardware-based tracking while achieving the same accuracy goal through software-based trajectory calculation and overlay.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for augmenting live television golf broadcasts in real time using a broadcast camera, comprising the steps: providing a virtual 3D mesh, comprising the topography of an area, a ball location within the area, and a hole location within the area; calculating a ball trajectory, an aiming point and an expected break, and adding them to the 3D mesh; aligning the 3D mesh with the view of the broadcast camera by comparing a length scale to the break, wherein the augmented broadcast comprises an overlay of the ball trajectory and the aiming point.