Goaltender simulator system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A goaltender simulator system, comprising:
- a launch area from which an object, having a predetermined color, can be accelerated;
a goal distanced from the launch area in the direction of travel of said object;
a goaltender figure positioned in front of said goal;
said goaltender figure being movable in front of said goal;
a camera positioned to view said travel of said object;
said camera including an output signal;
filter means connected to said output signal for filtering out all colors other than said predetermined color of said object to generate a filtered signal; and
computer control means electrically connected to said digital camera for receiving said filtered signal to generate object trajectory data to move said goaltender figure into the trajectory of said object.
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Abstract
A goaltender simulator system, which closely simulates shooting on a goal tended by a live goaltender, is provided. The system includes a digital video camera which tracks the trajectory of the object launched toward the goal. The continuous image data is filtered to enable a computer control to accurately determine the trajectory of the object as well as estimate its anticipated trajectory. Knowing the anticipated trajectory of the object, the computer control instructs motors to move the goaltender figure and/or its arms to the appropriate position to block the incoming object in an attempt to prevent it from entering the goal.
71 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A goaltender simulator system, comprising:
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a launch area from which an object, having a predetermined color, can be accelerated; a goal distanced from the launch area in the direction of travel of said object; a goaltender figure positioned in front of said goal; said goaltender figure being movable in front of said goal; a camera positioned to view said travel of said object; said camera including an output signal; filter means connected to said output signal for filtering out all colors other than said predetermined color of said object to generate a filtered signal; and computer control means electrically connected to said digital camera for receiving said filtered signal to generate object trajectory data to move said goaltender figure into the trajectory of said object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A goaltender simulator system, comprising:
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a launch area from which an object, having a predetermined color, can be accelerated; a goal distanced from the launch area in the direction of travel of said object; a goaltender figure positioned in front of said goal; said goaltender figure being movable in front of said goal; a camera positioned to view said travel of said object; said camera including an output signal; filter means connected to said output signal for filtering out all colors other than said predetermined color of said object to generate a filtered signal; computer control means electrically connected to said digital camera for receiving said filtered signal to generate object trajectory data to move said goaltender figure into the trajectory of said object; frame grabber means for periodically capturing an image of said object during its flight trajectory;
a series of images being generated providing trajectory information;processor means for determining the trajectory of said object based on said series of images; and a first motor means, a second motor means and a third motor means each connected to said processor means;
said first motor means pivoting said goaltender figure horizontally in front of said goal;
said second motor means moving a first goaltender arm;
said third motor means moving a second goaltender arm;
said goaltender figure, said first arm and said second arm being moved, in accordance with said trajectory information, to a position in the flight trajectory of said object to prevent said object from entering said goal.
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14. A goaltender simulator system, comprising:
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a launch area from which an object can be accelerated; a goal distanced from the launch area in the direction of travel of said object; a goaltender figure positioned in front of said goal; said goaltender figure being movable in front of said goal; detector means for tracking a trajectory of travel of said object;
said detector means including an output signal of trajectory data; andcomputer control means electrically connected to said detector means for receiving said output signal of trajectory data to move said goaltender figure into the trajectory of said object. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of tending a goal, comprising the steps of:
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providing a goal; providing a goaltender figure; launching an object, of a predetermined color, towards said goal; periodically capturing images of said object in flight; filtering out of said images all colors other than said predetermined color; determining position of said object in said images; determining size of said object in said images; comparing position and size of said object in said images; determining trajectory of said object; estimating a terminal position of said object at said goal; moving said goaltender figure to said terminal position; and centering said goaltender figure in front of said goal. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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Specification