Method and systems for sports simulations
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for computer generated sports simulation, the system comprising:
- a screen configured to have a sports object launched thereat and to display a future trajectory of the sports object thereon;
a projector configured to project the future trajectory of the sports object on the screen;
a launch area configured to have the sports object launched therefrom and toward the screen;
one or more infrared strobe lights directed toward the launch area and coupled to a strobe controller;
a triggering device coupled to the strobe controller to flash the infrared strobe lights and illuminate the launch area;
a first camera, wherein the first camera is positioned over the launch area and configured to capture one or more images of the launch area illuminated by the one or more strobe lights;
a second camera, wherein the second camera is positioned to capture one or more images of the sports object as the sports object travels from the launch area toward the screen;
at least a first sensor plane located between the launch area and the screen; and
a processor in data communication with the first camera, the second camera, the one or more strobe lights, the triggering device, the strobe controller, and the first sensor plane, wherein the processor is configured to execute a set of instructions to perform a method comprising;
detecting the launch of the sports object;
flashing the strobe lights to illuminate the launch area;
capturing with the first camera one or more images of the illuminated launch area as the sports object is launched from the launch area;
sensing passage of the sports object through the first sensor plane using sensors and emitters located within the first sensor plane;
determining one or more components of the translational velocity of the sports object based at least on the sensed passage of the sports object through the first sensor plane and the captured one or more images of the illuminated launch area by the first camera;
determining one or more components of rotational velocity of the sports object;
computing the future trajectory of the sports object based on the one or more components of rotational velocity and the one or more components of translational velocity; and
displaying the future trajectory of the sports object on the screen.
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Abstract
A sports simulator calculates the rotational and translational velocity of a sports object. The rotational velocity is calculated using image analysis. The translational velocity is calculated using image analysis and a set of emitters and sensors. The simulator then computes the future trajectory of the sports object based on the rotational and translational velocity. In one embodiment, the sports object is a golf ball and the sports simulator simulates golf.
56 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A system for computer generated sports simulation, the system comprising:
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a screen configured to have a sports object launched thereat and to display a future trajectory of the sports object thereon; a projector configured to project the future trajectory of the sports object on the screen; a launch area configured to have the sports object launched therefrom and toward the screen; one or more infrared strobe lights directed toward the launch area and coupled to a strobe controller; a triggering device coupled to the strobe controller to flash the infrared strobe lights and illuminate the launch area; a first camera, wherein the first camera is positioned over the launch area and configured to capture one or more images of the launch area illuminated by the one or more strobe lights; a second camera, wherein the second camera is positioned to capture one or more images of the sports object as the sports object travels from the launch area toward the screen; at least a first sensor plane located between the launch area and the screen; and a processor in data communication with the first camera, the second camera, the one or more strobe lights, the triggering device, the strobe controller, and the first sensor plane, wherein the processor is configured to execute a set of instructions to perform a method comprising; detecting the launch of the sports object; flashing the strobe lights to illuminate the launch area; capturing with the first camera one or more images of the illuminated launch area as the sports object is launched from the launch area; sensing passage of the sports object through the first sensor plane using sensors and emitters located within the first sensor plane; determining one or more components of the translational velocity of the sports object based at least on the sensed passage of the sports object through the first sensor plane and the captured one or more images of the illuminated launch area by the first camera; determining one or more components of rotational velocity of the sports object; computing the future trajectory of the sports object based on the one or more components of rotational velocity and the one or more components of translational velocity; and displaying the future trajectory of the sports object on the screen. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for computer generated sports simulation, the system comprising:
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a screen configured to have a sports object launched thereat and to display a future trajectory of the sports object thereon; a projector configured to project the future trajectory of the sports object on the screen; a launch area configured to have the sports object launched therefrom and toward the screen; one or more infrared strobe lights directed toward the launch area and coupled to a strobe controller; a triggering device coupled to the strobe controller to flash the infrared strobe lights and illuminate the launch area; a first camera, wherein the first camera is positioned over the launch area and configured to capture one or more images of the launch area illuminated by the one or more strobe lights; a second camera, wherein the second camera is positioned to capture one or more images of the sports object as the sports object travels from the launch area toward the screen; one or more sensor planes located between the launch area and the screen, wherein the one or more sensor planes includes only one vertical sensor plane; and a processor in data communication with the first camera, the second camera, the one or more strobe lights, the triggering device, the strobe controller, and the one or more sensor planes, wherein the processor is configured to execute a set of instructions to perform a method comprising; detecting the launch of the sports object; flashing the strobe lights to illuminate the launch area; capturing with the first camera one or more images of the illuminated launch area as the sports object is launched from the launch area; sensing passage of the sports object through the one or more sensor planes using sensors and emitters located within the one or more sensor planes one or more sensor planes; determining one or more components of the translational velocity of the sports object based at least on the sensed passage of the sports object and the captured one or more images of the illuminated launch area by the first camera; determining one or more components of rotational velocity of the sports object; computing the future trajectory of the sports object based at least in part on the one or more components of rotational velocity and the one or more components of translational velocity; and displaying the future trajectory of the sports object on the screen. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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Specification