Broadcasting system for broadcasting images with augmented motion data

• US 8,827,824 B2
• Filed: 01/10/2013
• Issued: 09/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Newlight Capital, LLC
• Original Assignee: Blast Motion Incorporated
• Inventors: Bentley, Michael, Bose, Bhaskar, Kaps, Ryan
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, David L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hoel, Matthew D
• Application Number:
  US13/737,956
• Publication Number:
  US 20130225309A1
• Time in Patent Office: 607 Days
• Field of Search: 473/199, 473/190, 473/192, 473/198, 473/202, 473/209, 473219-224, 473231-233, 473/247, 473/266
• US Class Current: 473/199
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/36 for golf
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/23 Recognition of whole body movements, e.g. for sport training

Abstract

A broadcasting system for broadcasting images with augmented motion data, which includes at least one camera, a computer and a wireless communication interface. The system obtains data from motion capture elements, analyzes data and optionally stores data in database for use in broadcasting applications, virtual reality applications and/or data mining. The system also recognizes at least one motion capture data element associated with a user or piece of equipment, and receives data associated with the motion capture element via the wireless communication interface. The system also enables unique displays associated with the user, such as 3D overlays onto images of the user to visually depict the captured motion data. Ratings, compliance, ball flight path data can be calculated and displayed, for example on a map or timeline or both. Furthermore, the system enables performance related equipment fitting and purchase.

Claims

1. A broadcasting system for broadcasting images with augmented motion data comprising:

at least one camera configured to receive images containing at least one motion capture element;

a computer;

a wireless communication interface configured to receive motion capture data from said at least one motion capture element;

wherein said computer is coupled with said wireless communication interface and said at least one camera, and wherein said computer is configured to

receive said motion capture data after a communications link to said at least one motion capture element is available and capable of receiving information;

receive said motion capture data after an event or periodically request said motion capture data from said at least one motion capture element;

recognize said at least one motion capture element associated with a user or piece of equipment and associate said at least one motion capture element with assigned locations on said user or said piece of equipment;

receive data associated with said at least one motion capture element via said wireless communication interface;

receive one or more images of said user associated with said at least one motion capture element from said at least one camera;

analyze said data to form motion analysis data;

draw

a three-dimensional overlay onto at least one of said one or more images of said user,

a rating onto at least one of said one or more images of said user,

at least one power factor value onto at least one of said one or more images of said user,

a calculated ball flight path onto at least one of said one or more images of said user,

a time line showing points in time along a time axis where peak values occur onto at least one of said one or more images of said user,

an impact location of a ball on said piece of equipment onto at least one of said one or more images of said user,

a slow motion display of the user shown from around the user at various angles at normal speed onto at least one of said one or more images of said user, or

any combination thereof associated with said motion analysis data; and

,

broadcast said one or more images to a multiplicity of display devices.

2. The broadcasting system according to claim 1 wherein said computer is further configured to:

access previously stored motion capture data or motion analysis data associated with said user or piece of equipment or previously stored motion capture data or motion analysis data associated with at least one other user or other piece of equipment;

broadcast information comprising at least one avatar associated with said at least one user on a virtual reality display based on

said motion analysis data associated with said user or piece of equipment and

said previously stored motion capture data or motion analysis data associated with said user or piece of equipment or

said previously stored motion capture data or motion analysis data associated with at least one other user or other piece of equipment.

3. The broadcasting system according to claim 1 wherein said computer is configured to:

broadcast said one or more images based on

a comparison of

said motion analysis data associated with said user or said piece of equipment and

previously stored motion capture data or motion analysis data associated with said user or said piece of equipment or previously stored motion capture data or said motion analysis data associated with at least one other user.

4. The broadcasting system according to claim 1 further comprising:

an identifier coupled with said user or said piece of equipment;

wherein said computer further comprises an identifier reader configured to obtain said identifier;

wherein said computer further configured to

receive said identifier; and

associate said identifier with said motion analysis data.

5. The broadcasting system according to claim 1 wherein said computer is further configured to:

broadcast said one or more images to enable a multiplicity of viewers to purchase said piece of equipment based on said one or more images.

6. The broadcasting system according to claim 5 wherein said computer is further configured to:

broadcast an advertisement with information related to purchasing said piece of equipment based on said one or more images.

7. The broadcasting system according to claim 1 wherein said computer is further configured to:

broadcast said one or more images to enable a multiplicity of viewers to order a custom fitted piece of equipment over a network.

8. The broadcasting system according to claim 1 wherein said computer is further configured to broadcast an alarm if said motion analysis data comprises a value below a first threshold or above a second threshold or either below said first threshold or above said second threshold.

9. The broadcasting system according to claim 1 wherein said multiplicity of display devices comprises televisions, computers, mobile devices or any combination thereof.

10. The broadcasting system according to claim 1 wherein said computer is further configured to:

broadcast said one or more images to the Internet.

11. The broadcasting system according to claim 1 wherein said computer is further configured to:

intermittently receive said motion capture data and synchronize said images in time with said motion capture data.

12. The broadcasting system according to claim 1 wherein said computer is further configured to:

intermittently receive said motion capture data and synchronize said images in time with said motion capture data based on

location information associated with said images, and

location information, an identifier and time associated with said at least one motion capture element.

13. The broadcasting system according to claim 1 wherein said computer is further configured to:

intermittently receive said motion capture data and synchronize said images in time with said motion capture data based on

time and an identifier associated with said images, and

time and an identifier associated with said at least one motion capture data element.

14. The broadcasting system according to claim 1 wherein said computer is further configured to:

intermittently receive said motion capture data and synchronize said images in time with said motion capture data based on

time, location information and a motion event associated with said images, and

time, location information and a motion event associated with said at least one motion capture data element.

15. The broadcasting system according to claim 1 wherein said computer is further configured to:

recognize said at least one motion capture element after said at least one motion capture element is removed from said piece of equipment and coupled with a second piece of equipment.

16. A broadcasting system for broadcasting images with augmented motion data comprising:

at least one camera configured to receive images containing at least one motion capture element;

a computer;

a wireless communication interface configured to receive motion capture data from said at least one motion capture element;

wherein said computer is coupled with said wireless communication interface and said at least one camera, and wherein said computer is configured to

receive said motion capture data after a communications link to said at least one motion capture element is available and capable of receiving information;

receive said motion capture data after an event or periodically request said motion capture data from said at least one motion capture element;

receive data associated with said at least one motion capture element via said wireless communication interface;

receive one or more images of said user associated with said at least one motion capture element from said at least one camera;

analyze said data to form motion analysis data;

draw

a three-dimensional overlay onto at least one of said one or more images of said user,

a rating onto at least one of said one or more images of said user,

at least one power factor value onto at least one of said one or more images of said user,

a calculated ball flight path onto at least one of said one or more images of said user,

a time line showing points in time along a time axis where peak values occur onto at least one of said one or more images of said user,

an impact location of a ball on said piece of equipment onto at least one of said one or more images of said user,

a slow motion display of the user shown from around the user at various angles at normal speed onto at least one of said one or more images of said user, or

any combination thereof associated with said motion analysis data;

broadcast said one or more images to a multiplicity of display devices;

access previously stored motion capture data or motion analysis data associated with said user or piece of equipment or previously stored motion capture data or motion analysis data associated with at least one other user or other piece of equipment;

broadcast information comprising at least one avatar associated with said at least one user on a virtual reality display based on

said motion analysis data associated with said user or piece of equipment and

said previously stored motion capture data or motion analysis data associated with said user or piece of equipment or

said previously stored motion capture data or motion analysis data associated with at least one other user or other piece of equipment.

17. The broadcasting system according to claim 16 wherein said computer is further configured to:

intermittently receive said motion capture data and synchronize said images in time with said motion capture data.

18. The broadcasting system according to claim 16 wherein said computer is further configured to:

recognize said at least one motion capture element after said at least one motion capture element is removed from said piece of equipment and coupled with a second piece of equipment.

19. A broadcasting system for broadcasting images with augmented motion data comprising:

at least one camera configured to receive images containing at least one motion capture element;

a computer;

a wireless communication interface configured to receive motion capture data from said at least one motion capture element;

wherein said computer is coupled with said wireless communication interface and said at least one camera, and wherein said computer is configured to

receive said motion capture data after a communications link to said at least one motion capture element is available and capable of receiving information;

receive said motion capture data after an event or periodically request said motion capture data from said at least one motion capture element;

intermittently receive data associated with said at least one motion capture element via said wireless communication interface;

receive one or more images of said user associated with said at least one motion capture element from said at least one camera;

synchronize said one or more images in time with said motion capture data;

analyze said data to form motion analysis data;

draw

a three-dimensional overlay onto at least one of said one or more images of said user,

a rating onto at least one of said one or more images of said user,

at least one power factor value onto at least one of said one or more images of said user,

a calculated ball flight path onto at least one of said one or more images of said user,

a time line showing points in time along a time axis where peak values occur onto at least one of said one or more images of said user,

an impact location of a ball on said piece of equipment onto at least one of said one or more images of said user,

a slow motion display of the user shown from around the user at various angles at normal speed onto at least one of said one or more images of said user, or

any combination thereof associated with said motion analysis data;

broadcast said one or more images to a multiplicity of display devices, wherein said computer is configured to broadcast said one or more images based on a comparison of

said motion analysis data associated with said user or said piece of equipment and

previously stored motion capture data or motion analysis data associated with said user or said piece of equipment or previously stored motion capture data or said motion analysis data associated with at least one other user.

20. The broadcasting system according to claim 19 wherein said computer is further configured to:

recognize said at least one motion capture element after said at least one motion capture element is removed from said piece of equipment and coupled with a second piece of equipment.