Video Event Management System for Racetrack Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems face challenges in efficiently tracking and recording moving objects of interest in large, live event spaces due to limitations in camera deployment, operator readiness, and storage capacity, particularly in capturing episodic events amidst long periods of inactivity.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of unmanned, high-resolution video cameras with stationary fields of view and a video event management system that includes an object locating and identifying unit and an event scoring unit, which automatically detect and analyze imagery data, generate subframes with metadata, and discard non-essential footage to conserve storage and focus on capturing interesting events.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple camera operators are deployed to cover all spots in a large event space, then the coverage of episodic events is improved, but the cost and complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage of episodic eventsVSAvoidcamera deployment and operator coordination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses automated computer vision algorithms to independently detect, track, and identify objects of interest across multiple camera feeds without human intervention. The automated event detection system autonomously determines when interesting events occur and notifies appropriate camera operators, eliminating the need for operators to manually monitor all spots simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of multiple human operators manually monitoring and operating cameras with an automated electronic system using image processing algorithms, object detection models, and computer vision technology to perform the same functions automatically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If all video footage is recorded for later review, then no interesting events are missed, but the storage capacity requirements become economically prohibitive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapture of interesting eventsVSAvoidstorage capacity needed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of video footage in real-time using automated object detection and event detection algorithms before storage. By pre-identifying and flagging potentially interesting events, the system enables selective storage of only relevant footage rather than requiring storage of all footage, significantly reducing storage capacity requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and separates interesting events from mundane footage using automated detection algorithms. Only the extracted interesting events are stored for later review, while boring footage is discarded or deleted, dramatically reducing the quantity of data that requires storage while ensuring no interesting events are missed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If camera operators manually pan and adjust cameras to track moving objects, then the tracking accuracy is improved, but the response time to episodic events decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking accuracyVSAvoidresponse time to events

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual mechanical camera panning and adjustment with automated computer-based object tracking algorithms that continuously analyze video feeds and automatically control camera positioning, enabling instant response to episodic events without human reaction delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The automated system maintains continuous monitoring and tracking of objects of interest without interruption, eliminating the start-stop nature of manual operation. The system is always ready to detect and respond to episodic events immediately as they occur, maximizing response time while maintaining tracking accuracy through continuous automated analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS20230215173A1Automatic determination and monitoring of vehicles on a racetrack with corresponding imagery data for broadcast

Publication Date: 2023.07.06 SPORTSMEDIA TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

AI summary

Methods and systems for automatically tracking and analyzing imagery data of at least one vehicle on a racetrack comprising. A video event management system with a plurality of video cameras positioned around a racetrack determines the presence of the at least one vehicle and based on a weighted event score corresponding to dynamics for the at least one vehicle and other objects captures video imagery and stills and generates at least one subframe. Excess video imagery data and excess stills data are discarded based on metadata of linked subframes.