Methods and computer-readable medium for tracking motion

• US 6,859,547 B2
• Filed: 01/25/2003
• Issued: 02/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Mostert Group
• Original Assignee: The Mostert Group
• Inventors: Jaynes, Christopher O., Webb, Stephen B., Mostert, Paul S., Seales, William B., Steele, R. Matt
• Primary Examiner(s): MARIAM, DANIEL G
• Application Number:
  US10/351,176
• Publication Number:
  US 20040146182A1
• Time in Patent Office: 759 Days
• Field of Search: 382/103, 382/107, 382/236, 382/311, 382/312, 348154-155, 348/157, 348/169, 375/240.01
• US Class Current: 382/103
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04855 Interaction with scrollbars
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2200/24 involving graphical user interfaces [GUIs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30221 Sports video; Sports image
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30241 Trajectory
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/20 Analysis of motion motion estimation for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals H04N19/43, H04N19/51

Abstract

In a computer system, methods and computer-readable medium are disclosed for tracking motion of a subject in an activity captured by camera. The camera supplies pluralities of discrete images of the subject to a computing system environment. An event window, displayed on a monitor, has at least two cells for receiving a user input pertaining to an action of the subject in the activity. In a first of the two cells, the user indicates a specific image number corresponding to one of the plurality of discrete images and an estimate of a fractional percent thereof. In the second cell, the user indicates another specific image number and estimate of a fractional percentage thereof. Software calculates a delta between the specific image numbers and their corresponding estimated fractions. Scroll and position bars provide user-aid for navigating between discrete images. Example subjects include horses in a horse race activity while an action includes a horse stride length.

Claims

1. In a computer system, a method for tracking motion, comprising:

receiving a plurality of discrete images from a camera having captured a subject in an activity;

providing an event window having at least two cells for receiving a user input, each of said at least two cells pertaining to an action of said subject in said activity;

in one of said at least two cells, receiving a first indication from a user regarding a first specific image number corresponding to one of said plurality of discrete images;

in said one of said at least two cells, receiving a first estimate from said user regarding a first fraction of said first specific image number;

in the other of said at least two cells, receiving a second indication from said user regarding a second specific image number corresponding to another of said plurality of discrete images;

in said other of said at least two cells, receiving a second estimate from said user regarding a second fraction of said second specific image number.

2. The method of claim 1, further including comparing said one of said plurality of discrete images and a one larger discrete image to arrive at said first estimate.

3. The method of claim 1, further including comparing said one another of said plurality of discrete images and a one larger discrete image to arrive at said second estimate.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said event window further includes a delta cell and said first indication and said first estimate together equal a first entry and said second indication and said second estimate together equal a second entry, displaying a difference between said first entry and said second entry in said delta cell.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said event window further includes a delta average cell displaying an average of said delta cell.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said event window further includes a scroll bar for navigating in said event window.

7. The method of claim 1, further including compiling a profile of said subject from said first and second indications and said first and second estimates.

8. The method of claim 7, further including comparing said profile of said subject to a stored profile.

9. In a computer system, a method for tracking motion, comprising:

a) receiving a plurality of discrete images from a camera having captured a subject in an activity;

b) providing an event window having at least two cells for receiving a user input, each of said at least two cells pertaining to a single action of said subject in said activity, said event window further including a delta cell and a delta average cell;

c) in one of said at least two cells, receiving a first indication from a user regarding a first specific image number corresponding to one of said plurality of discrete images;

d) comparing said one of said plurality of discrete images and a first one larger discrete image to achieve a first estimate regarding a first fraction of said first specific image number;

e) in said one of said at least two cells, receiving said first estimate from said user;

in the other of said at least two cells, receiving a second indication from said user regarding a second specific image number corresponding to another of said plurality of discrete images;

f) comparing said another of said plurality of discrete images and a second one larger discrete image to achieve a second estimate regarding a second fraction of said second specific image number;

g) in said other of said at least two cells, receiving said second estimate from said user; and

h) wherein said first indication and said first estimate together equal a first entry and said second indication and said second estimate together equal a second entry, displaying a difference between said first entry and said second entry in said delta cell.

10. The method of claim 9, further including compiling a profile of said subject from said first and second entries.

11. The method of claim 10, further including comparing said profile of said subject to a stored profile.

12. The method of claim 9, further including repeating steps a) through h) for a plurality of other subjects.

13. The method of claim 12, further including compiling a plurality of other profiles for each of said plurality of other subjects.

14. The method of claim 13, further including comparing said plurality of other profiles to at least one stored profile.

15. The method of claim 14, after said comparing said plurality of other profiles to at least one stored profile, selecting a best profile from said plurality of other profiles.

16. A computer-readable medium having computer executable instructions stored thereon for performing the steps of claim 15.

17. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing steps comprising:

receiving a plurality of discrete images from a camera having captured a subject in an activity;

providing an event window having at least two cells for receiving a user input, each of said at least two cells pertaining to an action of said subject in said activity;

in one of said at least two cells, receiving a first indication from a user regarding a first specific image number corresponding to one of said plurality of discrete images;

in said one of said at least two cells, receiving a first estimate from said user regarding a first fraction of said first specific image number;

in the other of said at least two cells, receiving a second indication from said user regarding a second specific image number corresponding to another of said plurality of discrete images;

in said other of said at least two cells, receiving a second estimate from said user regarding a second fraction of said second specific image number.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, further including calculating a delta value between said user inputs received in each said at least two cells.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 18, further including displaying said delta value in a delta cell of said event window.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, further including compiling a profile of said subject based upon said user inputs.

21. The computer-readable medium of claim 20, further including comparing said profile of said subject to a stored profile.