Athletic performance monitoring systems and methods in a team sports environment

• US 9,519,750 B2
• Filed: 06/05/2014
• Issued: 12/13/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Balakrishnan, Santoshkumar, Holmes, Steve, Weast, Aaron B.
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHMAN, GLENN E
• Application Number:
  US14/297,272
• Publication Number:
  US 20140288682A1
• Time in Patent Office: 922 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 1/002 adapted to accommodate electronic equipment patients' garments for medical monitoring A41D13/1281; luminous ornaments A41D27/085
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0054 provided with magnets, magnetic parts or magnetic substances
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/02 Football boots or shoes, i.e. for soccer, football or rugby
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0025 Tracking the path or location of one or more users, e.g. players of a game
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0028 Tracking the path of an object, e.g. a ball inside a soccer pitch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0053 for locating an object, e.g. a lost ball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/06 Systems determining position data of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/34 using transmission of continuous, frequency-modulated waves while heterodyning the received signal, or a signal derived therefrom, with a locally-generated signal related to the contemporaneously transmitted signal
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/751 wherein the responder or reflector radiates a coded signal
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/82 wherein continuous-type signals are transmitted
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/10 Terrestrial scenes scenes under surveillance with static cameras G06V20/52; scenes perceived from the exterior of a vehicle G06V20/56; scenes perceived from the interior of a vehicle G06V20/59
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/273 Adaptation for carrying or wearing by persons or animals
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/44 using equipment having another main function to serve additionally as an antenna , e.g. means for giving an antenna an aesthetic aspectH01Q1/27 - H01Q1/34 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/65 Control of camera operation in relation to power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 : having computer circuitry

Abstract

Systems, apparatuses, and methods for determining when an athlete is in possession of a ball by analyzing image data are provided. A camera is worn by an athlete and is turned on when the athlete is in proximity of a ball. The camera is used to generate an image of a ball. The size of the ball is determined and compared to a threshold. The athlete is considered to be in possession of the ball when the size of the image exceeds the threshold.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory storing executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to;

receive first data from a first transducer;

compare the first data to one or more parameters of a template, wherein at least a first parameter of the template identifies a particular resonance frequency; and

determine whether a first user is in possession of an object based on the comparison of the first data to the one or more parameters of the template.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a parameter in the one or more parameters of the template are configured to identify a type of activity performed by the first user.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a parameter in the one or more parameters of the template identifies a minimum peak voltage level corresponding to an impact force on the object.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a parameter in the one or more parameters of the template identifies a minimum peak voltage level corresponding to an audible echo associated with an impact force on the object.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a parameter in the one or more parameters of the template identifies a threshold amount of time between peak voltage levels.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the executable instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to identify a first time interval during which the first data corresponds to one or more parameters of the template.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the executable instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to determine that the first user is not in possession of the object if the first data does not correspond to one or more parameters of the template for a predetermined period of time.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory are remote from the first transducer.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first transducer, the at least one processor, and the at least one memory are configured to be worn by the first user.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the executable instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to communicate power instructions to an image capturing device.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the executable instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to:

receive second data from a second transducer associated with a second user;

compare the first data and the second data to a template; and

determine which of the first user and the second user is in possession of the object based on the comparison of the first data and the second data to the template.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the executable instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to:

determine an amount of time the first user is in possession of the object.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the executable instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to:

identify a time interval during which the second data corresponds to the template; and

determine an amount of time the second user is in possession of the object.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the executable instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to:

determine whether a pass event has occurred.