Tracking apparatus for use in tracking an object

• US 5,838,366 A
• Filed: 11/01/1996
• Issued: 11/17/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Matthew Denner, Tim Snape
• Original Assignee: Matthew Denner, Tim Snape
• Inventors: Snape, Tim, Denner, Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): BRITTON, HOWARD W
• Application Number:
  US08/742,511
• Time in Patent Office: 746 Days
• Field of Search: 348/169, 348/170, 348/579, 348/214, 235/469
• US Class Current: 348/170
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/7864 T.V. type tracking systems

Abstract

Tracking apparatus for use in tracking an object (4), which tracking apparatus comprises identification tag (2) which is for being attached to the object (4) and which comprises at least two colors (6,8) and a boundary (12) therebetween; a filter for filtering out colors except those colors on the identification tag (2); and a detector for detecting the boundary (12) on the identification tag (2) and thereby enabling the detected colors on the identification tag (2) to be identified from background colors (10) that may be the same as those on the identification tag (2).

Claims

1. Tracking apparatus for use in tracking an object, which tracking apparatus comprises identification means which is for being attached to the object and which comprises at least two colours and a boundary therebetween;

filter means for filtering out colours except those colours on the identification means; and

detector means which includes a chromatic edge filter and which is for detecting the boundary on the identification means and thereby enabling the detected colours on the identification means to be identified from background colours that may be the same as those on the identification means.

2. Tracking apparatus according to claim 1 in which the identification means is a sheet device for attaching to the object.

3. Tracking apparatus according to claim 2 in which the sheet device is flexible for being worn.

4. Tracking apparatus according to claim 2 in which the sheet device is rigid.

5. Tracking apparatus according to claim 1 in which the identification means includes securing means for securing the identification means to the object.

6. Tracking apparatus according to claim 1 in which the filter means is a digital filter means or an analog filter means.

7. Tracking apparatus according to claim 1 in which the detector means is an arrangement of one or more cameras that supplies a visual scene in a format useable by the filter means.

8. Filming apparatus comprising a recording camera, display means for displaying a recording made by the recording camera, and tracking apparatus, the tracking apparatus being such that it causes the recording camera to follow the movement of the identification means on the object and therefore the object, and the tracking apparatus being such that it comprises identification means which is for being attached to the object and which comprises at least two colours and a boundary therebetween;

filter means for filtering out colours except those colours on the identification means; and

detector means which includes a chromatic edge filter and which is for detecting the boundary on the identification means and thereby enabling the detected colours on the identification means to be identified from background colours that may be the same as those on the identification means.