Mobile Device Player Location Tracking via Camera Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current real-time sports analytics systems require expensive, complex setups with multiple high-definition cameras and high-end hardware, making them inaccessible for mass mainstream usage, particularly challenging for player location determination when the mobile device is placed at or near ground level, where the ground is difficult to see in video data.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using a mobile device with a camera to determine player location by receiving calibration data, computing a camera projection, and performing computer vision algorithms to identify the player's image location and real-world position, even when the ground is not visible, by utilizing reference points and sensor data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple high-definition cameras and high-end hardware are used for real-time sports analytics, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a single mobile device to perform multiple functions: capturing video data, tracking player locations, and providing real-time analytics. This replaces the traditional multi-camera system with a versatile mobile device that can handle all these tasks, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses computer vision algorithms to create a virtual representation of player locations from video data captured by a single camera. This copying approach allows the system to determine accurate player positions without requiring multiple physical cameras, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy
2Measurement precision
If multiple high-definition cameras are used for real-time sports analytics, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation and adaptability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device serves as a universal tool that combines video capture, image processing, and analytics capabilities in one unit. This eliminates the need for complex multi-camera setups and makes the system easier to operate and adapt to different sports environments
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-calibration and automatic player tracking using computer vision algorithms. The mobile device automatically processes video data and determines player locations without requiring manual intervention or complex setup procedures, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining measurement precision
3Adaptability or versatility
If the mobile device is placed at ground level for video capture, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision worsens due to difficulty in seeing the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces computer vision algorithms as an intermediary that processes video data to infer ground and player locations even when not directly visible. The algorithms analyze visual cues and patterns in the video stream to accurately determine positions, thereby maintaining measurement precision while allowing ground-level device placement for improved adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for detecting a player in a gaming environment using a mobile device are disclosed. The methods and systems perform the steps of receiving calibration data from a camera of a user device, the calibration data comprising a first reference point associated with the gaming environment, a second reference point associated with the gaming environment, and sensor data associated with the user device; computing a camera projection based on the first reference point, the second reference point, and the sensor data obtained from the user device; receiving an input video of the gaming environment, wherein the input video is captured using the camera, and wherein frames of the input video comprise at least one player in the gaming environment; identifying an image location of the player by performing a computer vision algorithm on the input video; and determining a real-world location of the player based on the image location and the camera projection.