Ball tracking in three-dimensions
First Claim
1. A method for tracking a ball in three-dimensions, comprising:
- imaging a ball moving on or over a playing field with a plurality of solid-state detector focal plane arrays, each of the arrays having a plurality of detectors;
sequentially capturing, from each of the arrays, frames of data corresponding to images of the ball and the playing field;
detecting frame-to-frame movement of ball images through detectors of each focal plane arrays; and
correlating data from the focal plane arrays to track ball motion in three-dimensions.
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Abstract
The invention monitors the driving range and tracks golf balls from users at the driving range and informs those users of characteristics such as driving distance. A solid state camera images the range, and preferably one or more tee-off positions, and collects frames of image data to track a ball'"'"'s motion through space. Simulation routines augment that track and assist in isolating the start location as well as where the ball lands, or would have landed had it not been obstructed (e.g., by a net). Preferably, the invention also determines the ball'"'"'s position in 3-D to increase the accuracy. In one technique, two or more solid state cameras are used, and synchronized, to specify stereoscopic imaging. In another technique, the ball'"'"'s energy or physical extent is used to determine an absolute distance between the camera and the ball. A computer at the club house monitors the entire system and further manages a network including an array of displays at the several tee off positions. The computer thus sends information such as distance to the several users via the network.
56 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for tracking a ball in three-dimensions, comprising:
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imaging a ball moving on or over a playing field with a plurality of solid-state detector focal plane arrays, each of the arrays having a plurality of detectors;
sequentially capturing, from each of the arrays, frames of data corresponding to images of the ball and the playing field;
detecting frame-to-frame movement of ball images through detectors of each focal plane arrays; and
correlating data from the focal plane arrays to track ball motion in three-dimensions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of tracking a ball in three-dimensions on or over a playing field, comprising mounting a plurality of solid-state cameras adjacent to the field so as to concurrently image the field and a ball traveling on or over the field, and correlating data from the cameras to determine whether the ball exceeded an edge of the field.
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13. A system for tracking a ball in three-dimensions on or over a playing field, comprising:
- a plurality of solid state cameras arranged to image the field and the ball traveling over the field; and
a processor linked with the cameras for combining ball images from the plurality of cameras to determine a three dimensional position of the ball and whether the ball passes an edge of the field.
- a plurality of solid state cameras arranged to image the field and the ball traveling over the field; and
Specification