ANALYZING A MOTION OF A BOWLER

• US 20090270193A1
• Filed: 04/24/2008
• Published: 10/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: United States Bowling Congress, Inc.
• Original Assignee: United States Bowling Congress
• Inventors: Jaryszak, James E., Stremmel, Neil B., Roloff, Robert V., Ridenour, Paul J.
• Application Number:
  US12/108,964
• Publication Number:
  US 20090270193A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/55
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0012 Comparing movements or motion sequences with a registered reference
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/02 Testing, calibrating or measuring of equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/62 posture
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0006 Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0046 for bowling
• CPC Class Codes: A63D 5/04 Indicating devices

Abstract

Systems and methods for analyzing a motion of a bowler. The system includes a plurality of cameras positioned around a capture volume. The capture volume includes a reference location. A plurality of markers is configured to be attached to the bowler and reflect light from the cameras. The cameras are configured to detect a first set of positions of the markers attached to the bowler. The markers are located within the capture volume. The cameras are also configured to transmit a first plurality of signals representative of the markers at the first set of positions. The cameras are configured to detect a second set of positions of the markers attached to the bowler. The markers are located within the capture volume. The cameras are also configured to transmit a second plurality of signals representative of the markers at the second set of positions. A computer system is configured to receive the first plurality of signals and the second plurality of signals related to the markers attached to the bowler, calculate a plurality of characteristics of the motion of the markers with respect to the reference location, and analyze the characteristics of the motion of the bowler to generate a quantitative description of the motion of the bowler. The quantitative description of the motion of the bowler is then correlated with a first result on a bowling lane.

Claims

1. A system for analyzing a motion of a bowler, the system comprising:

a plurality of cameras positioned around a capture volume, the capture volume including a reference location;

a plurality of markers configured to be attached to the bowler, wherein the plurality of markers define a shape of the bowler;

the cameras configured to detect a first set of positions of the markers attached to the bowler, the markers located within the capture volume, the cameras further configured to transmit a first plurality of signals representative of the markers at the first set of positions;

the cameras configured to detect a second set of positions of the markers attached to the bowler, the markers located within the capture volume, the cameras further configured to transmit a second plurality of signals representative of the markers at the second set of positions; and

a computer system configured to receive the first plurality of signals and the second plurality of signals related to the markers attached to the bowler, calculate a plurality of characteristics of the motion of the markers with respect to the reference location, and analyze the characteristics of the motion of the bowler to generate a quantitative description of the motion of the bowler;

wherein the quantitative description of the motion of the bowler is correlated with a first result on a bowling lane.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the capture volume includes an approach plane.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the approach plane extends a first distance into the bowling lane.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of characteristics of the motion of the markers includes a set of calculated positions and a set of calculated distances.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of characteristics of the motion of the markers includes a set of calculated velocities of the markers.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the motion of the bowler includes a stance, an approach, and a finish of the bowler.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the quantitative description of the motion of the bowler is analyzed with respect to consistency and accuracy.

8. A method for analyzing a motion of a bowler, the method comprising:

positioning a plurality of cameras around a capture volume, the capture volume including a reference location;

attaching a plurality of markers to the bowler, wherein the plurality of markers define a shape of the bowler;

detecting, with the cameras, a first set of positions of the markers attached to the bowler, the markers being located within the capture volume;

transmitting, from the cameras, a first plurality of signals representative of the markers at the first set of positions;

detecting, with the cameras, a second set of positions of the markers attached to the bowler, the markers being located within the capture volume;

transmitting, from the cameras, a second plurality of signals representative of the markers at the second set of positions; and

receiving, at a computer system, the first plurality of signals and the second plurality of signals related to the markers attached to the bowler;

calculating a plurality of characteristics of the motion of the markers with respect to the reference location;

analyzing the characteristics of the motion of the markers;

generating a quantitative description of the motion of the bowler; and

correlating the quantitative description of the motion of the bowler with a first result on a bowling lane.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein calculating a plurality of characteristics of the motion of the markers with respect to the reference location includes calculating a set of positions and a set of distances.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein calculating a plurality of characteristics of the motion of the markers with respect to the reference location includes calculating a set of velocities of the markers.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising analyzing the quantitative description of the motion of the bowler with respect to consistency and accuracy.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising defining an approach plane within the capture volume, wherein the approach plane extends a first distance into the bowling lane.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising attaching a plurality of markers to the bowler, wherein the plurality of markers define a shape of the bowler.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein generating a quantitative description of the motion of the bowler includes generating a quantitative description of a stance, an approach, and a finish of the bowler.

15. A system for analyzing a motion of a bowler, the system comprising:

a plurality of cameras positioned around a capture volume, the capture volume including a reference location;

the cameras configured to detect a first position of the bowler located within the capture volume, the cameras further configured to transmit a first plurality of signals representative of the position of the bowler;

the cameras configured to detect a second position of the bowler located within the capture volume, the cameras further configured to transmit a second plurality of signals representative of the second position of the bowler; and

a computer system configured to receive the first plurality of signals and the second plurality of signals representative of the first and second positions of the bowler, calculate a plurality of characteristics of the motion of the bowler with respect to the reference location, and analyze the characteristics of the motion of the bowler to generate a quantitative description of the motion of the bowler;

wherein the quantitative description of the motion of the bowler is correlated with a first result on a bowling lane.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the capture volume includes an approach plane.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of characteristics of the motion of the bowler includes a set of calculated positions and a set of calculated distances.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of characteristics of the motion of the bowler includes a set of calculated velocities.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the motion of the bowler includes a stance, an approach, and a finish.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the quantitative description of the motion of the bowler is analyzed with respect to consistency and accuracy.