U.S. patent application number 14/955108 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-30 for system and method for automatic video filming and broadcasting of sports events.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sstatzz Oy. Invention is credited to Harri Hohteri, Gavin Weigh.
Application Number | 20160188172 14/955108 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49549616 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160188172 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hohteri; Harri ; et
al. |
June 30, 2016 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC VIDEO FILMING AND BROADCASTING OF
SPORTS EVENTS
Abstract
A portable computing device for enabling user to view video
content of sports activity such as basketball or ice hockey. The
computing device is configured to receive video content, video
clips, statistics of the game as well as spatial position data of
players and position data of for example a ball used in the game as
functions of time. Spectators can use the portable computing device
to view spatial position of the players and the ball at given time
of the game or view spatial position of the players and/or the ball
based on set filters by the user. User can for example select to
see spatial position of players in at the times when the team
scored or according to other statistics. The user/spectator can use
the user interface of the computing device to select an icon of a
player to see corresponding video clip of actions in the sports
field.
Inventors: |
Hohteri; Harri; (Helsinki,
FI) ; Weigh; Gavin; (Helsinki, FI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sstatzz Oy |
Helsinki |
|
FI |
|
|
Family ID: |
49549616 |
Appl. No.: |
14/955108 |
Filed: |
December 1, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13660247 |
Oct 25, 2012 |
9202526 |
|
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14955108 |
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13471404 |
May 14, 2012 |
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13660247 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
715/719 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/04817 20130101;
G06F 3/04842 20130101; H04N 7/188 20130101; G11B 27/105 20130101;
G11B 27/34 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/0484 20060101
G06F003/0484; G06F 3/0481 20060101 G06F003/0481 |
Claims
1. A graphical user interface produced by an application program
operating on a computing device having a display device associated
therewith, comprising: an application program window presented on
the display device, the application window being generated by the
application program operating on the computing device, the
application program window concurrently including at least a first
sub-window and a second sub-window displayed on the display device
associated with the computing device; wherein the first sub-window
displays first content received by the application program from a
server over a network, the first content comprising a display
element representing a playing area (or surface) and includes a
player element representing a position of a player on the playing
area at a point in time; and wherein the second sub-window displays
second content received from the server over the network, the
second content comprising a selectable link to a video content
corresponding to the player at a point in time.
2. The graphical user interface of claim 1, wherein the display
element of the playing area corresponds to an activity involving
one or more players.
3. The graphical user interface of claim 2, wherein the activity is
a sport activity.
4. The graphical user interface of claim 2, wherein multiple player
elements are presented on the display element relative to a point
in time.
5. The graphical user interface of claim 4, wherein each player
element is presented on the display element relative to their
position on the playing area at the point in time.
6. The graphical user interface of claim 5, wherein the display
element continuously tracks and presents a position of each player
on the playing area relative to time.
7. The graphical user interface of claim 5, wherein the display
element is configured to present a relative movement of each player
on the playing area relative to time.
8. The graphical user interface of claim 1, wherein the display
element includes multiple player elements, each player element
being uniquely identified.
9. The graphical user interface of claim 1, wherein the first
content includes at least one playing field demarcation element
representing an area on the playing area; and each player element
is presented relative to the at least one playing field demarcation
element.
10. The graphical user interface of claim 1, wherein the first
content includes a selectable filter element, the filter element
enabling a display of one or more positions of a player element
corresponding to a rule.
11. The graphical user interface of claim 10, wherein the rule
corresponds to an action on the playing area by one or more
players.
12. The graphical user interface of claim 11, wherein upon
selection of the filter element, each player and a position of each
player pertaining to the rule, is presented on the display
device.
13. The graphical user interface of claim 12, wherein selection of
the filter element relocates each player position element to a
position on the playing area to a specific position corresponding
to a rule associated with the selected filter element.
14. The graphical user interface of claim 12, wherein selection of
the filter element reshapes each player filter element that
pertains to the rule associated with the selected filter
element.
15. The graphical user interface of claim 12, wherein selection of
the filter element applies the rule to a recorded video content of
an activity associated with the playing area, and a position of
each player element pertaining to the rule at different points in
time of the activity are presented on the display device.
16. The graphical user interface of claim 10, wherein selection of
the filter element causes: the first content to present only those
player elements on the display device pertaining to the rule; the
second content to present links to video content for the player
elements pertaining to the rule; and wherein selection of one of
the player elements pertaining to the rule causes the display
device to present the corresponding video content on the display
device.
17. The graphical user interface of claim 1, wherein multiple
player elements are presented on the display device and the second
content comprises multiple links to video content, each link
corresponding to a specific player at a specific point in time.
18. The graphical user interface of claim 17, wherein selection of
a player element presents a video content from the second content
on the display device, the video content pertaining to the player
corresponding to the selected player element.
19. The graphical user interface of claim 1, wherein the first
content includes a game playing element, the game playing element
being positioned on the display element relative to a position on
the playing field at a point in time.
20. The graphical user interface of claim 1, wherein the computing
device comprises an electronic pad device, an electronic tablet
device, a computer, a smart phone, an electronic organizer, a
personal digital assistant, a portable terminal or a mobile
communication device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of, claims
priority to, and the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No.
13/471,404, filed on 14 May 2012, which is now pending, the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to
systems for automatic video filming and broadcasting of sports
events. Moreover, the aspects of the present disclosure also
concerns methods of automatic video filming and broadcasting of
sports events.
[0003] Many popular games, for example soccer, basketball, cricket,
baseball, are played globally. When played, most of these games,
whether at national or international level, are broadcasted, to be
shown as live telecasts to spectators. Currently, video filming of
most of the sports events is executed in a substantially manual
manner, requiring many people to be employed, for example
cameramen, which continuously capture motion pictures of different
regions of a playing area, and corresponding activities of
different players involved in the sports events. For example,
during video filming of a soccer match played upon a soccer field,
different cameramen are active through different regions around the
soccer field, and they continuously capture motion pictures of
players' activities; some cameramen are dedicated to following a
soccer ball continuously, as the match progresses. Moreover, there
are also cameramen who are dedicated to identifying and capturing
most interesting events during the match, and some people are
involved in editing the captured video for delivering content
corresponding to those interesting events to spectators.
Furthermore, events such as goals, penalties and fouls, are often
given special attention during video filming of soccer match.
Additionally, different viewers of the soccer field may have
different priorities, for example watching activities of specific
players of the soccer match, or specific moves, as the soccer match
progresses.
[0004] Efficient collaboration of personnel involved in video
filming of a sports event is important for achieving satisfactory
broadcasting of the sports event to the spectators, for example in
an interesting manner. Moreover, a major problem arising with
contemporary approaches when executing video filming of sports
event is a need to employ numerous people, for example cameramen,
video-clip editors and statistical data collectors, who must
collaborate effectively for video filming of the sports events.
Furthermore, customization of the video content corresponding to
the sports event for rendering it suitable spectator viewing,
pursuant to desires and preferences different spectators, is
another problem.
[0005] Therefore, there arises a need for an effective system and
method for video filming of sports events, which can reduce a need
to employ numerous different people when executing video filming
and associated editing. Moreover, there arises a need for the
recorded video content to be customizable pursuant to needs of
different categories of viewers, who wish to concentrate on
different aspects of the recorded sports events.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present disclosure is concerned with a method and a
system for automatically capturing motion pictures of a sports
event in a field, wherein the sports event is to be viewed by
spectators. In the disclosure, one or more high definition cameras
are operable to capture video content of an entire field in which
the sports event is undertaken, and all post-processing activities
thereafter, for example editing, panning and zooming, are
implemented automatically through mutual collaboration of different
components of the system.
[0007] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for
automating video filming and data collection associated with a
sports activity occurring in a playing region. The system includes
an imaging device that continuously generates video signals. The
video signals represent a view of the playing region, players
involved in the sports activity, and one or more projectiles
associated with the sports activity. Examples of projectiles
associated with sports activities include footballs, tennis balls,
shuttlecocks, javelins and so forth. A position measuring
arrangement continuously monitors and measures positions of the
different players, and the one or more projectiles within the
playing region, and generates position signals that indicate these
measured positions as a function of time. A data processor is
coupled to the imaging device and the position measuring
arrangement. The data processor receives the position signals and
the video signals, analyzes the position signals for editing the
video signals, and generates an edited output video content.
Multiple transmitters, for example one per player, are coupled to
the players involved in the sports activity, and a set of detectors
are positioned at appropriate locations around the playing region.
The transmitters send signals representing the spatial positions of
the different players, to the detectors, and these signals are
used, at least partially, to generate the edited output video
content.
[0008] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method
of automatically providing video filming and collecting data
associated with a sports activity occurring in a playing region.
The method involves continuously generating video signals
corresponding to the players and one or more projectiles associated
with the sports activity. The method further includes measuring
spatial positions of one or more players, and generating position
signals that indicate the spatial positions as a function of time.
The position signals are analyzed to edit the video signals, for
generating an edited output video content. The method and system of
the present disclosure substantially automate video filming of a
sports event, and eliminate a need for different people to
collaborate and execute dedicated activities for video filming of
the sports event. Moreover, the recorded video content is
optionally customizable pursuant to preferences of different
categories of viewers, for example spectators, who can define a set
of rules to modify the video content.
[0009] Additional aspects, advantages, features and objects of the
present disclosure are apparent from the drawings and the detailed
description of illustrative embodiments construed in conjunction
with the appended claims that follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a view of a game field, showing different
players involved in a game, and a camera for continuously capturing
the game field, in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a camera coupled to, and in communication
with an automatic editing server, for editing the continuously
captured videos of the players and the different activities
occurring in the field of FIG. 1, in accordance with the present
disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a set of pre-defined rules following by
the system and method for automatically video filming of a game, in
accordance with the present disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary environment for implementing
the system and method for automatically video filming a game, in
accordance with the present disclosure
[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates different components of an exemplary
system for automatically video filming a game occurring in a game
field, in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates different steps included in a method of
automatically video filming a game occurring in a game field, in
accordance with the present disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 7 illustrates example of user interface view, in
accordance with the present disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 8 illustrates second example user interface view, in
accordance with the present disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 9 illustrates third example user interface view, in
accordance with the present disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 10 illustrates user interface for showing some game
statistics of basketball game.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0020] The following detailed description discloses aspects of the
claimed invention and the ways it can be implemented. However, the
description is not intended to define or limit the invention, such
definition or limitation being solely contained in the claims
appended thereto. Although the best mode of carrying out the
invention has been disclosed comprehensively, those in the art
would recognize that other embodiments for carrying out or
practicing the invention are also possible.
[0021] Sports such as baseball, cricket, soccer, basketball, etc.
are popularly played in different parts of the World. For example,
the game soccer is actively played and watched by spectators in
many countries around the World. During special tournaments,
including the World Cup and some league matches, millions of
spectators watch live telecasts of matches on televisions. Video
filming of any sports game involves multiple cameramen positioned
to capture a continuous view of a corresponding game field and
associated players, from different angles, to capture readily some
special occurrences during the game, while conducting the live
telecasting. Moreover, there are people involved in continuously
collecting data pertaining to an ongoing game. For example, in a
soccer game, this data may be team goals, the number of goals
scored by each player, the number of penalties occurring, and fouls
due to every player, and so forth. All this data is used to edit
and render the final video content during telecasting. Major
activities during video filming of a sports event are
contemporarily implemented manually, for example through use of
cameramen and statistical data collectors, etc. If the process of
video filming of a sports event can be substantially automated,
this would provide a benefit of reducing manual effort required and
also make the process of generating video content much easier, with
an additional benefit that the process can be utilized in different
kinds of sports events.
[0022] The present disclosure elucidates a substantially automated
method and system for video filming sports activities. The method
and system can be implemented for different sports activities,
including soccer, basketball, baseball, cricket, etc. The
complexity of the system and the method, and the number of
different components of the system collaborating for the video
filming, may depend on several parameters, including the number of
players involved in the game, the different aspects of the game,
and the area of the playing field employed for executing the
game.
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a view of a field 100 having different players
102 involved in playing a game within the field 100. The game may
be any one of the well-known games, including ice hockey, soccer,
basketball, etc. Every player 102 associated with the game is
equipped with a radio transmitter 104 attached to an appropriate
portion of the player's body, for example ankle, shirt, shoes, etc.
The radio transmitters 104 precisely locate the different players
102 in the field 100, by identifying their location coordinates,
for example x, y, z coordinates with respect to a Cartesian
coordinates system. Moreover, the transmitters 104 can be any
suitable conventionally used transmitters, for identifying spatial
positions of the different players 102. For example, low power
Bluetooth transmitters can be utilized, which transmit data through
low power radio wave emissions. Such transmitters typically work
and communicate using a carrier frequency of about 2.45 GHz.
Multiple bases stations 106 are located at different spatial
locations around the field 100. The transmitters 104 are operable
to communicate with these base stations 106, through a suitable
communication network, which may be any wireless network, including
wireless local area network (WLAN), Wi-Fi or a short range
Bluetooth network. In a preferable embodiment, a triangulation
technique is used to determine the locations of the different
players 102 through use of their transmitters 104. Those skilled in
the art would appreciate that the triangulation technique
determines the location of any point by determining angles to the
point from two known points on either side of a fixed baseline.
However, other techniques, including trilateration, which measures
the distance to a point directly, can also be used to identify the
spatial positions of the different players.
[0024] One or more people operate through a desk 108, where they
collect statistical data pertaining to the game continuously, as
the game proceeds. The statistical data may include, for example,
keeping updates of the time elapsed since the game started,
tracking start and finishing of different phases of the game,
operating time clock, names of each player, individual players'
performances (for example, in soccer, a number of goals made by
each player, penalities, free kicks, etc.). For collecting the
statistical data pertaining to the game, the people operating
through the desk 108 can use a laptop computer, a desktop computer,
or any other suitable electronic device, including a smartphone,
for example an iPhone; "iPhone" is a registered trademark. The
collected statistical data can be stored within a hard disk of the
electronic device used on the desk 108. Moreover, multiple such
devices can be used to collect statistical data for the desk 108,
depending on the complexity of the game being played, and each such
device can be dedicated to collect specific category of data
pertaining to the game. For example, if the game being played is
soccer, one electronic device can be used to track and store data
pertaining to the goals made by each player, another electronic
device can be used to keep a continuous track of the time elapsed
since the game started, the time for intermission, the time when
the first goal was ever made, the number of goals made by both
teams during specific predefined time periods, and so forth.
[0025] Multiple video cameras 112 are positioned at different
spatial locations around the field 100. The cameras 112 to operable
to continuously capture the video of the entire field 100,
activities of the different players 102, and different events
occurring during playing of the game. Many such cameras 112 are
beneficially positioned at different spatial locations around the
field 100 to ensure that none of the important activities occurring
during the ongoing game are missed out. Moreover, the task of
capturing the field 100 can be divided among different cameramen
operating these cameras 112, logically, such that each camera 112
covers and continuously captures a specific region of the field
100, and has a predefined viewing angle within which it is
dedicated to operate. This is beneficial to reduce the workload on
each cameraman, and reduce the possibility of missing the capturing
of certain special and important events, which are essential for
broadcasting to spectators. For example, if the game is soccer,
then one such camera 112 can be dedicated to capturing defenders of
a particular team, one for capturing and monitoring mid-field
players, and one of them may concentrate on continuously capturing
activities proximal to goal areas on both sides of the field 100,
and so forth. The cameras 112 employed for capturing the different
portions of the field 100, are beneficially all high definition
cameras, each having a high pixel resolution of about
2500.times.1500. In an embodiment, a single camera with a high
resolution and having a substantially broad viewing angle, as shown
being trapped between lines 114, can be used to cover the entire
field 100.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 2, multiple servers 200 are coupled
to, and are in communication with the camera 112. The servers 200
are configured to operate as automatic editing servers, and the
camera 112 is operable to continuously record and send the captured
content to these servers 200. In an embodiment, the different
servers 200 are configured to operate remotely through a cloud
computing environment, which involves delivering of hosted services
over the Internet. The automatic editing servers 200 continuously
receive the video content from one or more cameras 112. In a case
where there are multiple such cameras 112, the cameras 112 are
configured to capture the game field 100, and the servers 200 are
coupled to each of these cameras 112, through a suitable wireless
network, and receive the video content from all such cameras 112
continuously, as the game proceeds. Moreover, in an embodiment, the
servers 200 are configured to receive content from different
locations and games, to continuously receive data corresponding to
different games going on at different locations. Furthermore, as
shown, the servers 200 also receive other information, including
the spatial positions of the different players of the game. For
that matter, the transmitters coupled to the different players of
the game, as illustrated earlier in FIG. 1, are coupled to the
servers 200, and the transmitters continuously transmit position
signals to the servers 200. The servers 200 also collect other
relevant statistical data corresponding to the game, as
aforementioned, within their databases. Specifically, the
electronic devices operative at desk 108 shown in FIG. 1 are
connected to the servers 200 through one or more suitable wireless
networks, and these devices are operable continuously to update the
servers 200 with the collected statistical data. Specifically, the
servers 200 are continuously updated with information, for example
information pertaining to the time elapsed since the game started,
the number of goals made, the time left to play, etc., through a
set of game statistics time stamps that they receive information
from the desk 108. Moreover, different categories of spectators,
including media companies and coaches, can store customized and
pre-defined criteria/plans on the server 200, for watching
different events within the recorded game, according to their
specific priorities. Such stored criteria/plans can be executed
through the server 200, while watching the recorded game on a
display device.
[0027] These automatic editing servers 200 use the obtained
information pertaining to the game, and edit the video content
received from the cameras 112, for generating and rendering an
edited video content to the spectators. Typically, the edited
content, to be delivered for viewing by the spectators, has a
resolution lower than the resolution at which the cameras 112
capture the video content. In a preferred embodiment, the edited
video content to be rendered has a resolution of about
1280.times.720 pixels, which is significantly lower than the
resolution at which the cameras 112 capture the content.
[0028] The system and method of the present disclosure, also use a
set of pre-defined rules for editing, generating and rendering the
output video content to the spectators. These pre-defined rules
depend on factors such as the type of game being played, the
complexity of the game, and the area of the game field, etc. Such
rules are stored in the databases of one or more editing servers
200, wherein the rules are applied during editing operations. For
example, if the game being played is soccer, one such rule pertains
to the case when a goal is being made, when the camera is
configured to zoom automatically to the player who made the goal,
and the camera specifically focusses and captures a continuous
picture of the player making the goal, for a pre-defined time
period. In an embodiment, the camera follows the goal maker
continuously for a period in a range of about 20 to 25 seconds
before the goal is made, and then zooms directly for a period of
about 10 seconds, to all the players involved in passing the ball,
and eventually, towards the goal maker. Another such rule
corresponds to the case of a penalty, where the camera finds the
person who made the penalty, and zooms in towards the person, and
the players around him, for a period in a range of about 10 to 15
seconds before the penalty occurred. In an embodiment, another such
rule to be continuously followed while capturing the game is to
show at least two or three players every time, and hence, always
include two or more players in the video. Going further within this
rule, a sub-rule is to zoom closer to the players when they are
positioned closely, and zoom out if the players are spaced apart.
Another rule is to focus on the regions of the game field close to
the goal, and continuously track the activity of different players
within that region, when the ball is close to the goal on either
side.
[0029] There are also some special event rules to be followed in
certain cases. This is explained now in conjunction with FIG. 3.
The figure shows a pre-planned move of the players in the game
through three different cases showing continuous succession in a
pre-planned movement of players, specifically, case A, case B and
case C. The plan starts with the case A, when a player 2 starts
following and running towards and next to player 1. The player 1
passes the ball to the player 2, and starts moving from right to
left, as shown in the case A. Following this, as shown in the case
B, another player, namely a player 3, starts running to the center,
and the player 2 passes the ball back to the player 1. The player 1
follows with the ball, and seeks for the appropriate time to shoot
the ball into the goal. Eventually, the players 3, 5, 2 and 4 start
moving simultaneously. The coach of the game, or any other viewer,
can configure to seek for such a special movement, from the
location database of the different players in the automatic editing
server, for example as shown in FIG. 2.
[0030] Similarly, even the different spectators of the game, at
their own end, can operate through the recorded video of the game,
and edit the content based on their own desired preferences. A
spectator can set his/her own rule for zooming in or out,
concentrating on specific players, focusing and watching the moves
of a specific player for some time, viewing specific events during
the highlights, and so forth. In the same manner, the watching
media companies can set their own business rules while editing and
watching the recorded video content. Generically, any viewer can
set his own rules for creating and watching a specific version of
the recorded game. Such rules can be stored in the database of the
automatic editing servers connected to the cameras capturing the
view of the game field, as shown previously in FIG. 2. The
databases can have a set of pre-defined default rules corresponding
to the game type, which can be modified and redefined.
[0031] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary environment for supporting and
implementing the method and system for automatically video filming
an ongoing game in a field, according to the present disclosure. As
shown, multiple transmitters 402, 404, and so on, are attached to
suitable portions of the body of the different players to
continuously track their spatial locations. The transmitters 402,
404 are connected to a set of automatic editing servers 412, 414,
and so on, through a suitable communication network 406. The
communication network 406 can be any appropriate network, including
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Wi-Fi, etc. The transmitters
402, 404, etc., are low-power Bluetooth transmitters, providing
wireless transmission output, as noted previously, and can also be
configured to be connected to the editing servers 412, 414 etc.,
through separate Bluetooth networks, with the help of base stations
(though not shown). A set of electronic devices operate through the
desks 408, 410, etc., and positioned at appropriate locations
around the game field, collect and record statistical data
pertaining to the game. The editing servers 412 and 414 have
corresponding databases 416 and 418, respectively, at their back
ends, for storing collected statistical data and information
pertaining to the game. The transmitters 402, 402 continuously
provide information pertaining to the spatial locations of the
different players of the game, and this information is eventually
stored in the databases of the editing servers 412 and 414.
Moreover, the servers 412 and 414 are optionally cloud servers,
operating remotely from the game field, as aforementioned.
[0032] FIG. 5 shows a system for facilitating automatic video
filming of a game occurring within a field. As shown, the system
includes an imaging module 510 for continuously capturing the
different portions of the game field, and the different events
occurring therein. The imaging module 510 includes multiple imaging
devices 512, 514, etc., positioned at different locations around
the field, for continuously capturing the entire view of the field.
The devices 512 and 514, etc., are high-definition video cameras,
as aforementioned. Though two such devices have been shown, in an
embodiment, a single high definition video camera having a wide
viewing angle can also be used to capture the view of the entire
field. A position measuring module 520 is shown (referred to as
`module 520` hereinafter, for simplicity and economy of
expression), which continuously measures the spatial locations of
the different players involved in the game. The module 520 includes
multiple transmitters 522 coupled to multiple detectors 524. The
transmitters 522 are coupled to suitable portions on the body of
the players, to track their spatial locations. The transmitters 522
are beneficially also included within one or more projectiles used
by the players when playing the game in the field; examples of the
one or more projectiles associated with sports activities include
footballs, tennis balls, shuttlecocks, javelins and so forth,
depending upon a nature of the game. The detectors are positioned
around the game field, to receive position signals from the
transmitters 522. Preferably, the transmitters and receivers are
wireless communication devices, communicating with each other
through a suitable wireless network. A data processor 530
(`processor 530` hereinafter) is coupled to the position measuring
module 520 and the imaging module 510. The processor 530 is
operable to edit the video content captured by the imaging module
510, and generates the final content to be delivered for viewing by
spectators. As shown, the processor 530 includes an editing module
532, and databases 534 and 536. The imaging module 510 continuously
transmits video signals to the processor 530, and eventually, the
video content captured by the imaging module 510 is continuously
stored in databases 534 and 536. The spatial positions of the
different players, as measured by the position measuring module
520, is communicated to the data processor 530 continuously, with
time, and the databases 534 and 536 regularly update these spatial
positions. Moreover, additional information pertaining to the game,
including statistical data, is also stored in the databases 534 and
536. The statistical data is collected through different electronic
devices configured to operate through desk arrangements positioned
around the field (though not shown herein), as aforementioned. The
editing module 532 retrieves all such information stored within the
databases 534 and 536, uses this information to process the
captured video content, and edits the captured content to generate
an output video content, which is rendered for viewing by the
spectators.
[0033] FIG. 6 is an illustration of steps of a method of
automatically capturing and generating video filming of a game,
according to the present disclosure. At a step 602, the method
includes continuously capturing video of the game field, the
players involved in the game, and one or more projectiles
associated with the game; as aforementioned, examples of
projectiles associated with sports activities include footballs,
tennis balls, shuttlecocks, javelins and so forth. At a step 604,
the method includes generating video signals corresponding to the
content captured at the step 602. These signals are transmitted to
a data processor, for processing the captured videos, as
aforementioned. At a step 606, the method includes measuring the
spatial positions of the different players of the game
continuously, as the game proceeds. Wireless transmitters attached
to the different players, communicate with wireless detectors
positioned around the field, to continuously identity the locations
of the different players, in terms of their spatial coordinates
(for example, x, y, z Cartesian coordinates). Specifically, the
method includes using triangulation techniques for detecting
locations of the different players. However, in other less
preferred embodiments, other techniques, including trilateration
may also be used as an alternative. At a step 608, the method
includes generating positions signals representing the locations of
the different players, as the time lapses. These signals are also
transmitted to the data processor (shown in FIG. 5). At a step 610,
the spatial positions of the different players are used by the data
processor, for processing the captured video content. At a step
612, the method includes checking and monitoring the occurrence of
any special events pertaining to the game. For example, in a soccer
game, such events may include capturing the goals being made, or
identifying a sudden penalty, a granted free-kick, etc. Moreover,
any special event rules which are pre-defined, and are directed by
the user to be followed, such as tracking the movement of specific
players, while the video content is being rendered, are also taken
into consideration at the step 612. Detailed examples of such rules
have been aforementioned in details, in conjunction with previous
figures of the disclosure. If any such special event is being
identified, then the method includes accordingly editing the
captured video content at step 614. Following this, at step 616,
the method includes generating and delivering the edited video
content to the viewer. If no such special events are identified to
happen at the step 612, the method includes continuing with
delivering captured video content.
[0034] The method and system of the present disclosure, for
automatically video filming a game and generating the content to be
rendered to a viewer, can be implemented for many games commonly
played today, including cricket, soccer, basketball, ice hockey,
etc. Moreover, certain pre-defined rules, including the special
event rules as described earlier, can be incorporated and used to
customize the rendered video content, according to the viewer's
desire.
[0035] According to an embodiment of the invention coaches or
spectators can have a computing device or portable terminal 700,
such as web pad or smart phone, as shown in FIG. 7. The portable
terminal 700 has display 704, such as a graphical user interface,
to show graphics to user of the terminal as well as provide input
means (for example via touch screen) to control the terminal 700.
In one embodiment, the display 704 is a touch screen or near touch
screen device. FIG. 7 shows an exemplary user interface for the
game of basketball. The user interface presents a schematic layout
or element of the playing area or field. In one embodiment, the
schematic layout can include a playing field demarcation element or
area, such as for example element 706 representing so called
three-point line. In alternate embodiments, the schematic layout of
the playing area can include any number of playing field
demarcation elements, that will vary according to the particular
game or sport being played, and can include for example, foul
lines, goal lines, offside lines and center lines. The aspects of
the disclosed embodiments are directed to determining a position of
a player on the playing area relative to the demarcation element,
and process actions of the player relative to the demarcation
element 706 according to the rules of the particular game. For
example, according to the rules of the basketball if a player
throws ball inside said line 706 through the goal hoop--or
basketball net--the team will be awarded with 2 points and if the
player throws the ball into the basket from a point or position
outside of the line 706 the team will be awarded with 3 points.
Similarly, in the game of ice hockey, one or more of the center,
red line, blue line, face off circles, hash marks, goal line and
goal area can be presented as demarcation elements on the display
704. The actions of the players relative to each of these
demarcation elements can also be recorded, monitored, and
displayed, as is generally described herein.
[0036] The user interface further has set of filter buttons 708. In
the example buttons are "2 points", "2 points miss", "3 points OK"
and "3 points miss". The user of the terminal can select with touch
screen or other input means the filter to be applied to the screen.
In FIG. 7 user has selected buttons "2 points" and "2 points miss".
As those are selected the user interface displays each player who
have tried to make 2 points during the game and the position where
the throw was done. In the FIG. 7 positions of the users 702 is
shown. Circle represents position of player who made successful
score (players 5, 7, 10), pentagons represent failed attempts
(players 10, 8) and diagonal squares show position (5, 10, 8) of
other players when the points were made.
[0037] The lower part of the user interface in the terminal 700
shows selectable links or thumbnails 710 of corresponding video
clips. If user clicks for example icon 702 of player 5 a video is
shown where the player 5 scores (makes points) from said position.
The video could be for example last 10 seconds before the point is
recorded until the point is made.
[0038] Further (FIG. 8) if the user is interested to see only
successful 3-point throws the user can select with buttons 808 "3
points OK" and the user interface would show icons 802 of players
who were successful to score 3 points (players 5, 7 and 8). The
user interface would display now a set of video links or thumbnails
810 of said throws in the lower part of the user interface.
[0039] In general the system can be configured so that users can
either make arbitrary filters to find interesting clips of the
sporting event or there can be set of ready made filters for the
users. In certain embodiment the terminal can be configured to
receive video clips according to set filters for said user. Example
application for this could be to have "pod cast" type of service
where user terminal downloads clips relating to the set filter
automatically as the clip of certain type is available. Downloading
of clips can be made over wireless local area network (Wi-Fi) or
for example over cellular network. In alternative embodiment all
video content is streamed all the time to the user terminal
together with position data of players and the ball and statistics
feed. The terminal can be configured to select clips for user
locally depending on filter settings in the terminal. The terminals
can be used in sports arena or remotely. One particular problem
when using said system in sports arenas is possibility to run out
of radio resources if a large amount of terminals download a clip
or video or statistics at the same time. Based on embodiments such
clips or other information which is needed by more than one person
can be broadcast to the terminals using cellular broadcast,
broadcast over Wi-Fi or for example using data broadcast over
digital video broadcast for handheld standard (DVB-H) or similar or
using Internet Protocol (IP) Multicast or IP Broadcast
protocols.
[0040] FIG. 9 shows example of user interface according to other
embodiment. The user interface can be configured to show the
positions of the players 902 at selected moment of time in the
game. User interface can show the movement trajectories of the
players 904 and movement trajectories of the ball 906 for last for
example 5 seconds. The user interface can be configured to initiate
video of the said last 5 seconds by pressing play the video button
910.
[0041] Further more the system can be configured to collect
automatically statistics of player movements and other actions.
Example statistic views are shown in FIG. 10. For example in basket
ball the system can be configured to monitor distance travelled by
passing the ball or the distance travelled by dribbling. For
example the team W managed to move ball by passing 1500 meters
during the game (graph 10A) and by dribbling 694 meters. Statistics
can be used to show for example how many % each player has ball in
possession as shown in 10A.
[0042] Statistics can be collected per player or per team.
Additionally statistics such as shot distribution as function of
shot clock can be collected as shown in FIG. 10C. Shot distribution
as function of shot clock can be collected due to configuration
which takes in account time when the shot clock is started and
recorded statistic of shot (success or not success) Additional
statistics such as pass distribution (to which players the ball is
passed) can be collected using the sensors and game time (or
absolute time) related statistics as shown in 10B. In example 10B
Syrjala has passed ball to player Heiskanen 24% of the total
passes.
[0043] Although the current invention has been described
comprehensively, in considerable details to cover the possible
aspects and embodiments, those skilled in the art would recognize
that other versions of the invention may also be possible.
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