Automated offside detection and visualization for sports
AssigneeSportsMEDIA Technology Corporation
InventorGerard J. Hall
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention includes systems and methods for automated detection and visualization of offside positions. In soccer, offside is determined by the position of a player relative to the position of players on the opposing team and/or the soccer ball. The present invention provides systems and methods for tracking the location of players on a soccer field and for determining whether a player is in an offside position. The present invention further includes an imaging system for tracking the location of a boundary object that determines where offside positions begin. The system is then operable to enhance image and video data using the data collected during detection of offside positions.
Claims20
A system for automated offside detection, comprising:
- at least one processor in communication with at least one image sensor attached to a chassis, wherein the chassis is configured to move parallel relative to a sideline of a play field;
- wherein the at least one image sensor is operable to track at least one player and/or a ball;
- wherein the at least one image sensor generates location data for the at least one player and/or the ball and transmits the location data to the at least one processor;
- wherein the at least one image sensor automatically moves based on the location data such that the at least one image sensor is substantially in line with a first player or with the ball;
- wherein the at least one image sensor is operable to generate relative position data, including a location of the first player or the ball relative to a second player;
- and
- wherein the at least one processor is operable to generate an alert indicating the second player is offsides based on the relative position data and/or the location data.
A method for automated offside detection, comprising:
- providing at least one processor in communication with at least one image sensor attached to a chassis;
- the chassis being configured to move parallel relative to a sideline of a play field;
- the at least one image sensor tracking at least one player and/or a ball;
- the at least one image sensor generating location data for the at least one player and/or the ball and transmitting the location data to the at least one processor;
- the at least one image sensor automatically moving based on the location data such that the at least one image sensor is substantially in line with a first player or with the ball;
- the at least one image sensor generating relative position data, including a location of the first player or the ball relative to a second player;
- and
- the at least one processor generating an alert indicating the second player is offsides based on the relative position data and/or the location data.
A system for automated offside detection, comprising:
- at least one processor in communication with at least one image sensor attached to a chassis, wherein the chassis is configured to move parallel relative to a sideline of a play field;
- wherein the at least one image sensor is operable to track at least one player and/or a ball;
- wherein the at least one image sensor generates location data for the at least one player and/or the ball and transmits the location data to the at least one processor;
- wherein the at least one image sensor automatically moves based on the location data such that the at least one image sensor is substantially in line with a first player or with the ball;
- wherein the at least one image sensor is operable to generate relative position data, including a location of the first player or the ball relative to a second player;
- wherein the at least one processor is operable to generate an alert indicating the second player is offsides based the relative position data and/or the location data;
- and
- wherein the at least one processor generates a digital boundary overlay on at least one video broadcast, wherein the digital boundary overlay is generated in real-time, and wherein the position of the digital boundary overlay is based on a position of the at least one image sensor, the location data, and/or the relative position data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.