Sports Simulation System Trajectory Detection via Pixel Difference Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer-based sports simulators struggle to accurately detect and simulate the trajectory of sports projectiles, such as balls, pucks, arrows, or darts, in a virtual environment, lacking efficient calibration methods and precise impact detection algorithms.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a camera, projector, and processor that captures a sequence of images of a sports projectile launched from a marked mat towards a screen, determines the impact frame by analyzing pixel differences, and calculates the trajectory based on the object's location in the impact frame, projecting the trajectory onto the screen for visual feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a camera captures a sequence of images to track object trajectory, then measurement precision of trajectory is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple components (camera, processor, projector, mat)
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the trajectory detection process into discrete segments: capturing individual frames, comparing pixels between consecutive frames, identifying impact moments, and calculating trajectory. This segmentation allows complex motion analysis to be broken down into manageable computational steps, improving precision while maintaining manageable system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The processor acts as an intermediary that receives raw image data from the camera, processes it through pixel comparison algorithms, determines impact frames, and calculates trajectories. This intermediary processing layer transforms simple camera images into precise trajectory measurements without requiring direct complex interactions between all system components
2Measurement precision
If the system uses pixel comparison to detect impact frame, then measurement precision of impact detection is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary frame capture and pixel comparison in real-time during the object's flight, rather than analyzing images after the impact occurs. By continuously comparing pixels between consecutive frames during the motion sequence, the system identifies impact moments immediately, reducing processing delays while maintaining high precision
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of analyzing every pixel in every frame exhaustively, the system skips to the most critical pixel regions where impact occurs by monitoring pixel difference patterns. This selective analysis approach rushes through the data processing to identify impact frames quickly while maintaining the precision needed for accurate trajectory calculation
3Ease of operation
If the system projects trajectory onto a screen for visual feedback, then user engagement is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback loop where the calculated trajectory is projected onto a screen to provide visual feedback to the user. This feedback mechanism enhances user engagement by showing the actual path of the object, allowing users to compare expected versus actual trajectories. The feedback is generated automatically from the same camera and processing components already present in the system
Solution Approach 2:
The screen serves multiple functions: it displays the trajectory visualization for user feedback, and can also serve as the target surface for the object to impact. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate display components, adding user engagement features without proportionally increasing system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include a screen to be impacted by an object and to display a trajectory of the object, a projector to project the trajectory of the object on the screen, a mat positioned to have the object launched therefrom and toward the screen, and a camera positioned to capture one or more images of the mat and the screen. The system may include a processor in data communication with the camera and the projector and configured to execute a set of instructions to: receive a sequence of images from the camera, determine which of the sequence images represents an impact frame in which the object impacts the screen, determine the trajectory of the object based on the object location in the impact frame; and output a display signal to the projector to display a visual graphic on the screen based on the trajectory.