Stereo Camera Tracking in Net Posts for Racquet Sports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing racquet sports tracking systems are expensive, complex, and interfere with gameplay or fail to meet regulatory requirements, lacking satisfactory precision and reliability for mass-market applications.
Innovation Solution
A low-cost apparatus using small, integrated camera components within net posts or referee chairs, controlling image capturing properties like gain, framerate, and resolution, providing high-performance tracking without interfering with gameplay or violating regulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If advanced high-resolution precision optics and multiple cameras are used, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex high-resolution precision optics with relatively simple and inexpensive camera components. The system uses standard cameras with controllable parameters (gain, framerate, resolution, exposure time) rather than specialized optical equipment, significantly reducing cost and complexity while maintaining adequate tracking precision for racquet sports.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention controls image capturing properties by dynamically adjusting camera parameters such as gain, framerate, resolution, and exposure time. This allows the system to adapt to different lighting conditions and tracking requirements without requiring fixed high-resolution optics, enabling flexible precision control with simpler hardware.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cameras are mounted high above the floor or under the net, then tracking coverage is improved, but interference with gameplay and regulatory compliance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates camera components within the net posts themselves, utilizing the vertical dimension of the net post structure. This allows cameras to be positioned at optimal heights for tracking coverage while being integrated into existing court infrastructure, avoiding the need for separate high-mounted camera installations that would interfere with gameplay.
Solution Approach 2:
The net post serves multiple functions: it supports the net structure and simultaneously houses the camera components for tracking. This multi-functional integration eliminates the need for separate camera mounting structures, reducing gameplay interference while maintaining comprehensive tracking coverage.
3Measurement precision
If high-resolution precision optics and advanced components are used, then measurement precision is improved, but cost and ease of manufacture deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses inexpensive standard camera components rather than expensive high-resolution precision optics. These simpler components are easier to manufacture, install, and maintain, while still providing adequate tracking precision when used in pairs with proper parameter control and image processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses two adjacent cameras with specific angular orientation (20°-120°) to achieve three-dimensional tracking through stereo vision. This segmentation approach divides the tracking function across multiple simpler components rather than relying on a single complex high-resolution system, improving ease of manufacture and installation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an apparatus, method and computer program for collecting and processing digital information by computer vision and/or tracking as well as observing specific events during sports, in particular during the practice of racket sports, comprising: at least one camera pair for obtaining real image-related information in sports-related stereo, processor for processing the actual image-related information from the at least one camera, memory space containing stored comparison data for typical actions of a fictitious athlete and for typical movements and positions of a fictitious ball, the camera, processor and memory space all to each other for both storage and retrieval of digital information, the processor comparing the actual image-related information from the at least one camera with the corresponding stored comparison data from the memory space and categorizing the work image-related information.