Trajectory detection and feedback system for tennis
First Claim
1. A device for analyzing trajectories of tennis balls, the device comprising:
- one or more cameras for recording video frame data used to characterize a trajectory of a tennis ball generated by a player during a tennis related activity;
a logic device designed or configured to i) receive the video frame data, ii) identify the tennis ball in the video frame data, iii) determine when a tennis racquet strikes the tennis ball, iv) generate trajectory parameters that characterize one or more states of the tennis ball along its trajectory based on the identified tennis ball in the video frame data, including at least one trajectory parameter measured by the logic device that characterizes a state of the tennis ball when the tennis racquet is determined by the logic device to strike the tennis ball, and v) generate feedback information using the trajectory parameters, wherein the feedback information indicates the at least one trajectory parameter, wherein the logic device is designed or configured to identify a net associated with a tennis court including an upper edge of said net in the video frame data, wherein the logic device is further designed or configured to measure a height of the tennis ball relative to the upper edge of said net when the tennis ball is above the net during a shot of the tennis ball, and wherein the feedback information indicates the measured height of the tennis ball; and
at least one output mechanism for providing the feedback information.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for capturing and analyzing a trajectory of a tennis ball or other object associated with a play of a game of tennis and providing feedback is described. The system may be designed to capture and analyze a trajectory of a tennis ball during various activities related to the play of a game of tennis. The system may be configured to provide immediate feedback that may be utilized by a player to improve their performance as well as provide entertainment value above and beyond what is normally associated with the play of a game of tennis. Further, the system may be operable for use in an area where tennis is normally played during normal playing activities, such as player playing a game or practicing on an outdoor tennis court. The system may be operable to account for factors associated with its ambient environment, such as wind, temperature and humidity.
130 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A device for analyzing trajectories of tennis balls, the device comprising:
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one or more cameras for recording video frame data used to characterize a trajectory of a tennis ball generated by a player during a tennis related activity; a logic device designed or configured to i) receive the video frame data, ii) identify the tennis ball in the video frame data, iii) determine when a tennis racquet strikes the tennis ball, iv) generate trajectory parameters that characterize one or more states of the tennis ball along its trajectory based on the identified tennis ball in the video frame data, including at least one trajectory parameter measured by the logic device that characterizes a state of the tennis ball when the tennis racquet is determined by the logic device to strike the tennis ball, and v) generate feedback information using the trajectory parameters, wherein the feedback information indicates the at least one trajectory parameter, wherein the logic device is designed or configured to identify a net associated with a tennis court including an upper edge of said net in the video frame data, wherein the logic device is further designed or configured to measure a height of the tennis ball relative to the upper edge of said net when the tennis ball is above the net during a shot of the tennis ball, and wherein the feedback information indicates the measured height of the tennis ball; and at least one output mechanism for providing the feedback information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 38, 39)
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29. A device for analyzing trajectories of tennis balls, the device comprising:
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one or more cameras for recording video frame data used to characterize a trajectory of a tennis ball generated by a player during a tennis related activity; a logic device designed or configured to i) receive the video frame data, ii) identify the tennis ball in the video frame data, iii) determine when a tennis racquet strikes the tennis ball, iv) generate trajectory parameters that characterize one or more states of the tennis ball along its trajectory based on the identified tennis ball in the video frame data, including at least one trajectory parameter measured by the logic device that characterizes a state of the tennis ball when the tennis racquet is determined by the logic device to strike the tennis ball, and v) generate feedback information using the trajectory parameters, wherein the feedback information indicates the at least one trajectory parameter, wherein the at least one trajectory parameter includes a height at which the tennis racquet strikes the tennis ball, wherein the logic device is further designed or configured to identify a boundary line of a tennis court in the video frame data and to determine whether the tennis ball is inside or outside of the boundary line based on the identified tennis ball and the identified boundary line in the video frame data, wherein the feedback information indicates whether the tennis ball is inside or outside of the boundary line, wherein the logic device is designed or configured to determine a height of a serve toss based on the identified tennis ball in the video frame data, and wherein the feedback information indicates the height of the serve toss, wherein the logic device is further designed or configured to identify a net associated with a tennis court including an upper edge of said net in the video frame data, wherein the logic device is further designed or configured to determine a position of the tennis ball relative to the upper edge of said net when the tennis ball is above the net, and wherein the feedback information indicates the position of the tennis ball relative to the upper edge of said net; and at least one output mechanism for providing the feedback information. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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31. A device for analyzing trajectories of tennis balls, the device comprising:
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one or more cameras for recording video frame data used to characterize a trajectory of a tennis ball generated by a player during a tennis related activity; a logic device designed or configured to i) receive the video frame data, ii) identify the tennis ball in the video frame data, iii) generate trajectory parameters that characterize one or more states of the tennis ball along its trajectory based on the identified tennis ball in the video frame data, and iv) generate feedback information using the trajectory parameters, wherein the feedback information indicates at least one of the one or more states, wherein the logic device is further designed or configured to identify a net associated with a tennis court including an upper edge of said net in the video frame data, wherein the logic device is further designed or configured to measure a height of the tennis ball relative to the upper edge of said net when the tennis ball is above the net during a shot of the tennis ball, and wherein the feedback information indicates the measured height of the tennis ball relative to the upper edge of said net; and at least one output mechanism for providing the feedback information.
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32. A method for analyzing trajectories of tennis balls, comprising:
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recording video frame data by one or more cameras, the video frame data including images of a tennis ball during a tennis related activity at a tennis court; receiving the video frame data at a logic device; identifying, by the logic device, the tennis ball in the video frame data; generating, by the logic device, trajectory parameters that characterize one or more states of the tennis ball along its trajectory; generating, by the logic device, feedback information using the trajectory parameters; identifying, by the logic device, a net associated with the tennis court in the video frame data; measuring, by the logic device, a height of the tennis ball relative to an upper edge of said net when the tennis ball is above the net during a shot of the tennis ball, wherein the feedback information indicates the measured height; and outputting the feedback information by an output mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A device for analyzing trajectories of tennis balls, the device comprising:
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one or more cameras for recording video frame data used to characterize a trajectory of a tennis ball generated by a player during a tennis related activity; a logic device designed or configured to i) receive the video frame data, ii) identify the tennis ball in the video frame data, iii) determine when a tennis racquet strikes the tennis ball, iv) generate trajectory parameters that characterize one or more states of the tennis ball along its trajectory based on the identified tennis ball in the video frame data, including at least one trajectory parameter measured by the logic device that characterizes a state of the tennis ball when the tennis racquet is determined by the logic device to strike the tennis ball, and v) generate feedback information using the trajectory parameters, wherein the feedback information indicates the at least one trajectory parameter, wherein the logic device is further designed or configured to identify a net associated with a tennis court, wherein the logic device is further designed or configured to measure a height of the tennis ball when the tennis ball is above the net, and wherein the feedback information indicates the measured height; and at least one output mechanism for providing the feedback information.
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Specification