# US 12,223,718 B2 · Systems and methods for the analysis of moving objects > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,223,718 B2 - Document ID: US12223718B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/372,309 - Filed: 2023-09-25 - Published: 2024-05-23 - Granted: 2025-02-11 - Earliest claimed: 2019-09-18 - Applicants: Trevor Bauer; Warren Bauer - Inventors: Trevor Bauer; Warren Bauer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12223718B2 ## CPC - G06V 20/42: {of sport video content} - G06V 20/46: {Extracting features or characteristics from the video content, e.g. video fingerprints, representative shots or key frames} - G06V 40/23: {Recognition of whole body movements, e.g. for sport training} - G06V 10/751: {Comparing pixel values or logical combinations thereof, or feature values having positional relevance, e.g. template matching} - G06V: IMAGE OR VIDEO RECOGNITION OR UNDERSTANDING ## Abstract Methods and apparatus for the analysis of moving objects. In one embodiment, a pitch tracking system is disclosed that includes one or more cameras that have been positioned in a desired location and a computing system containing executable software that is configured to receive imaging data from the one or more cameras that captured the desired location and analyze seam placement and/or finger placement as a function of time for the received imaging data. Computer readable media and methodologies are also disclosed herein. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A computer-implemented method for comparing performance with respect to a plurality of pitched baseballs, comprising the steps of: capturing a first plurality of frames of a scene of a pitched baseball; segmenting an object of interest out of the captured scene by performing a thresholding operation on a pixel-by-pixel basis to determine a location of the object of interest within a first frame of the first plurality of frames and utilizing the determined location of the object of interest within the first frame to assist in determining a location of the object of interest within a second frame of the first plurality of frames; analyzing the segmented scene to identify markers associated with the object of interest; retrieving a second plurality of frames of a prior captured scene of a pitched baseball; and comparing the analyzed scene with the prior captured scene to enable a comparison in performance for the pitched baseball. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the analyzing of the segmented scene further comprises determining speed, spin axis, spin rate and finger placement with respect to the object of interest. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the comparing of the analyzed scene with the prior captured scene further comprises comparing the determined speed, spin axis, spin rate and finger placement with a speed, spin axis, spin rate and finger placement of the prior captured scene. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein the performing of the thresholding operation on the pixel-by-pixel basis comprises starting the thresholding operation in an area of the captured scene dependent upon a handedness for a pitcher of the pitched baseball. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein the performing of the thresholding operation on the pixel-by-pixel basis for the second frame of the first plurality of frames is only performed on a subset of pixels of the second frame. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the determining of the location of the object of interest comprises determining that a pixel value for a pixel within the first frame is within a predetermined range of pixel values. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein the segmenting of the object of interest out of the captured scene further comprises repositioning the object of interest within the segmented scene within each of the first plurality of frames. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein the analyzing of the segmented scene further comprises performing a second thresholding operation on the segmented scene to identify the markers associated with the object of interest. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The computer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein the performing of the second thresholding operation comprises determining placement of a finger with respect to a geometric center of the pitched baseball. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein the performing of the second thresholding operation further comprises determining seam orientation with respect to the geometric center of the pitched baseball. ### Claim 11 A non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus comprising a plurality of instructions, that when executed by a processor apparatus, are configured to: receive a first plurality of frames of a captured scene of a pitched baseball; segment out an object of interest within the captured scene via performance of a thresholding operation on a pixel-by-pixel basis to generate a subset of the captured scene of the pitched baseball, the performance of the thresholding operation on the pixel-by-pixel basis comprises determination of a location of the object of interest within a first frame of the first plurality of frames of the captured scene and utilization of the determined location of the object of interest within the first frame to assist in determination of a location of the object of interest within a second frame of the first plurality of frames; analyze the segmented scene to identify markers associated with the object of interest; retrieve a second plurality of frames of a prior captured scene of a pitched baseball; and compare the analyzed scene with the prior captured scene to enable a comparison in performance for the pitched baseball. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 11, wherein the analysis of the segmented scene further comprises a determination of speed, spin axis, spin rate and finger placement with respect to the object of interest. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 12, wherein the comparison of the analyzed scene with the prior captured scene further comprises a comparison of the determined speed, spin axis, spin rate and finger placement with a speed, spin axis, spin rate and finger placement of the prior captured scene. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 13, wherein the performance of the thresholding operation on the pixel-by-pixel basis comprises commencement of the thresholding operation in an area of the captured scene that is dependent upon a handedness for a pitcher of the pitched baseball. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 13, wherein the performance of the thresholding operation on the pixel-by-pixel basis for the second frame of the first plurality of frames is only performed on a subset of pixels of the second frame. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 13, wherein the determination of the location of the object of interest comprises determination that a pixel value for a pixel within the first frame is within a predetermined range of pixel values. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 13, wherein the segmentation of the object of interest out of the captured scene further comprises performance of a reposition operation for the object of interest within the segmented scene within each of the first plurality of frames. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 13, wherein the analysis of the segmented scene further comprises performance of a second thresholding operation on the segmented scene to identify the markers associated with the object of interest. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 18, wherein the performance of the second thresholding operation comprises determination of placement of a finger with respect to a geometric center of the pitched baseball. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 19, wherein the performance of the second thresholding operation further comprises determination of seam orientation with respect to the geometric center of the pitched baseball.