Sporting Projectile Positioning from Broadcast Images Without Extra Hardware
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for detecting the position of a sporting projectile in sports events require additional hardware, increasing costs, and there is a need for a method to accurately determine the position using broadcast feeds.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that analyze broadcast images to identify sporting projectiles by establishing pixel positions relative to predetermined real-world distances of lines on the field, calculating real-world positions using pixel ratios and distances, and determining the projectile's position through equations like x=(A″C″-A″D″)(1-y)A″C″-yA″D″.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If specific cameras are installed and calibrated to the specific field of play to detect the position of a ball or other sporting projectile, then the positional detection accuracy is improved, but the system cost increases due to additional hardware requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses broadcast feed images (a copy of the sporting event) instead of dedicated detection cameras. By analyzing the broadcast feed which already captures the sporting event, the system avoids installing additional hardware while still achieving positional detection of the ball through image processing and coordinate transformation algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the broadcast feed serve multiple functions: it is used for both entertainment purposes and for positional detection of the ball. By processing the same broadcast images that are shown to viewers, the system eliminates the need for separate detection cameras, reducing hardware costs while maintaining detection capability
2Device complexity
If broadcast feed is used to detect the position of the sporting projectile, then the hardware cost is reduced, but the measurement precision may be affected due to perspective distortion and image quality variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the coordinate system parameters from broadcast image space to real-world field space by establishing correspondence between broadcast coordinates and real-world positions using known field markings. This parameter transformation compensates for perspective distortion and enables accurate position calculation despite using standard broadcast feed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces field markings (such as yard lines or boundary lines) as an intermediary reference system. These markings serve as a bridge between the broadcast image coordinates and the real-world field positions, enabling accurate coordinate transformation and position determination without requiring dedicated detection hardware
Data Source
AI summary
A method, computer program and device is described that obtains a first image of a sporting event, the first image containing a sporting projectile at a first pixel position and a first and second line separated by a predetermined real-world distance in a direction; establishes the number of pixels between the first and second line in the direction; establishes a real-world distance represented by a pixel in the direction; establishes the number of pixels between the first pixel position and the first line in the direction; and determines the real-world position of the sporting projectile in the sporting event in accordance with the established real-world distance and the number of pixels between the first pixel position and the first line.