Multi-Camera Video Analytics for Real-Time Athlete Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capturing youth sports events with a single camera often results in a suboptimal viewing experience due to distance from the action, making it difficult for parents and coaches to record and share high-quality video.
Innovation Solution
A multi-camera live-streaming system using ground-level and drone-mounted cameras, coupled with a mobile application (VIDGO) for simultaneous video capture, processing, and live streaming, allowing for split-screen viewing and interactive advertising, with features like auto highlight selection and real-time motion tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single camera is used to capture sports events, then the device complexity is reduced, but the video quality and viewing experience deteriorate due to distance from the action
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the video capture system into multiple independent camera units positioned at different locations (ground level and aerial). Each camera captures a specific portion of the sports field, and the views are combined through virtual stitching to create a comprehensive high-quality video experience, resolving the contradiction between simple device operation and high video quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces aerial/drone cameras to capture video from a vertical dimension, complementing the horizontal ground-level camera views. This multi-dimensional approach provides superior coverage of the sports field and action, achieving high video quality without requiring a single complex camera system.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple cameras are deployed for comprehensive coverage, then video quality and viewing experience improve, but the device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple camera feeds (ground-level and aerial) into a single unified video stream through virtual stitching technology. This combination provides comprehensive field coverage and high video quality while maintaining operational simplicity, as the system automatically integrates the multiple views without requiring complex manual coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs automatic video alignment, stitching, and integration without requiring manual intervention. The multi-camera system self-coordinates to provide seamless coverage, reducing operational complexity while maintaining high video quality through automated processing of multiple camera inputs.
3Ease of operation
If traditional single-camera systems are used, then the system is easy to operate, but the ability to capture and share high-quality multi-angle footage is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal video capture system that can record from multiple angles and perspectives simultaneously using both ground-level and aerial cameras. The system provides versatile functionality for capturing various sports events and sharing them through multiple platforms, while maintaining ease of operation through automated integration of all camera feeds.
4Manufacturing precision
If aerial cameras are added for better overhead coverage, then the viewing experience improves, but the device complexity and coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses virtual stitching technology as an intermediary process to automatically align and integrate aerial camera footage with ground-level camera views. This intermediary processing layer simplifies the coordination between cameras at different heights and positions, providing superior overhead coverage without requiring complex manual synchronization.
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments disclose a video-based analytics system to automatically calculate athletic performance metrics during a sporting event, such as a baseball game. The system utilizes at least two video cameras positioned at different locations to capture live motion video of participating athletes and corresponding sports equipment, such as a baseball. A synchronization processor generates time-stamped, synchronized video data streams from the multiple feeds. A video recognition module tracks the location, speed, and movement trajectories of the athletes and sports equipment across these synchronized streams. An analytics processor calculates, in real time, the bat's speed and the baseball's launch angle, exit velocity, and projected travel distance, along with player position, running path, and relative speed. The system further computes the probability of a successful play outcome based on this data. A software application delivers these calculated performance metrics to users in real time.