US5912700A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for enhancing the television presentation of an object at a sporting event
Assignee: Sportsmedia Technology Corp
•
Filing: 1996-01-10
•
Granted: 1999-06-15
•
Expires: 2016-01-10
Abstract
Abstract A system for enhancing the television presentation of an object at a sporting event includes one or more sensors which are used to determine the location of the object. Based on the location of the object and the field of view of a broadcast camera, a processor determines the position of the object in a video frame of the broadcast camera. Once knowing where the object is positioned within the video frame, the television signal can be edited or augmented to enhance the presentation of the object.
Inventors
- 👤 Stanley K. Honey
- 👤 Richard H. Cavallaro
- 👤 David Blyth Hill
- 👤 Andrew G. Setos
- 👤 Jerry Neil Gepner
- 👤 Timothy Paul Heidmann
- 👤 Patrick Wade Olsen
- 👤 Fred Judson Heinzmann
- 👤 Alan C. Phillips
- 👤 Harold Guthart
- 👤 Alan Alexander Burns
- 👤 Charles Lawrence Rino
- 👤 Philip Calvin Evans
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:29
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B71/00; A63B71/06; A63B71/0605; G; G01; G01S; G01S5/00; G01S5/16; H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/222; H04N5/262; H04N7/00; H04N7/08; H04N7/087; H04N7/088; A63B2220/00; A63B2220/80; A63B2220/806; A63B2225/00; A63B2225/30; A63B2225/50; A63B2225/54; A63B43/00; A63B67/00; A63B67/14; G01S3/00; G01S3/78; G01S3/782; G01S3/785; G01S3/786; G01S3/7864
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 103
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for enhancing a live video presentation of an object during a sporting event, comprising the steps of: determining a three dimensional location of said object in real space, said step of determining said three dimensional location being performed during said sporting event; determining a position of an image of said object in a first live video image using said determined three dimensional location of said object, said step of determining said position being performed during said sporting event; and enhancing said first live video image based on said position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for enhancing a live video presentation of an object during a sporting event, comprising the steps of: determining a three dimensional location of said object in real space, said step of determining said three dimensional location being performed during said sporting event; determining a position of an image of said object in a first live video image using said determined three dimensional location of said object, said step of determining said position being performed during said sporting event; and enhancing said first live video image based on said position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein: said object is a game object used at a sporting event.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein: said game object is a hockey puck.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein: said game object is a football.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein: said game object is a golf ball.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein: said game object is a tennis ball.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein: said game object is a baseball.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein: said step of determining a three dimensional location uses infrared technology.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein: said step of determining a three dimensional location uses radar technology.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1, further including the step of: delaying said first live video image.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1 further including the step of: sensing flashes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 further including the step of: sensing pulses from said object.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein: said step of determining a three dimensional location includes: sensing said object, including creating data representing said three dimensional location of said object; and removing false detections from said data.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein: said step of removing false detections includes removing data outside of a defined set of boundaries.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein: said step of removing false detections includes subtracting data.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 13, wherein: said step of removing false detections includes temporal subtraction.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein: said step of removing false detections includes spectral subraction.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein: said step of removing false detections includes filtering data.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein: said step of removing false detections includes using a region of play filter.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein: said step of removing false detections includes removing data representing exclusion zones.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein: said step of removing false detections includes removing data if a flash occurred.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein: said step of removing false detections includes removing data below a predefined threshold.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 1 further including the step of: determining a broadcast camera's pan, tilt and zoom, said broadcast camera being used to capture said first live video image, said pan, tilt and zoom being used in said step of determining a position.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 1 further including the step of: registering a sensor and a camera, said sensor being used to determine said first three dimensional location, said camera being used to capture said first live video image.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein: said step of enhancing said first live video image includes: creating a second video image; and combining said second video image with said first live video image.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein: said step of enhancing includes adding a graphic to said first live video image.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein: said step of enhancing includes adding a graphic to said first live video image at said position.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein: said step of enhancing includes adding a graphic to said first live video image logically near said position.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein: said step of enhancing includes adding a trajectory to said first live video image.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein: said step of enhancing includes adding a trajectory and a target to said first live video image.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein: said step of enhancing includes adding audio data.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein: said step of enhancing includes adding data to a vertical blanking interval during a broadcast of said sporting event.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein: said step of enhancing includes providing a viewer with remote control capabilities.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein: said step of enhancing includes creating a video frame and combining said video frame with said first live video image.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein: said object is a game object, said game object includes an electromagnetic transmitter adapted to transmit an electromagnetic signal not visible to a human eye.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein: said step of determining a three dimensional location includes interpolating said object's three dimensional location if said object's three dimensional location cannot be determined directly.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein: said step of enhancing is finished within one second of said step of determining a three dimensional location.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein: said step of enhancing is finished within one third of a second of said step of determining a three dimensional location.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein: said step of determining said position includes: transforming data representing said three dimensional location using a matrix.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein: said step of determining a three dimensional location includes determining lines of position.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein: said step of determining a three dimensional location includes: determining lines of position; grouping pairs of said lines of position; determining one or more points of closest contact for at least a subset of said pairs of lines of position; and determining a center of said points of closest contact.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein: said step of determining a three dimensional location includes: determining lines of position; determining probabilities for spaces near said lines of position; and finding said location based on said probabilities.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 1 further including the step of: inserting nonvideo data into a television signal, said nonvideo data relating to said position, said television signal including said first live video image.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 1 further including the step of: inserting nonvideo data into a television signal, said data including an address on a network, said television signal including said first live video image.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 1 further including the step of: inserting nonvideo data into a television signal, said data including said first location of said object, said television signal including said first live video image.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1 further including the steps of: calculating one or more statistics at least partially based on said location of said object.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 46 further including the steps of: inserting said one or more statistics into said first video image.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein: said step of enhancing includes adding nonvideo data into a television signal, said television signal includes said first live video image.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 48, wherein: said nonvideo data being used at a remote location to enhance said first video image.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of determining a three dimensional location includes: receiving an infrared signal; creating sensor data representing said reception of said infrared signal; and removing a false detection from said sensor data, said sensor data being used to determine said three dimensional location of said object.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 50 wherein: said step of removing false detections includes removing sensor data received during a flash.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 50 wherein: said infrared signal is a series of pulses; and said step of removing false detections includes subtraction.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method according to claim 50 wherein: the step of determining a three dimensional location of said object further includes the steps of: determining lines of position; grouping said lines of position into pairs of lines; determining one or more closest points of intersection for one or more pairs of lines of position; and determining a center of said points.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 50 further including the step of: determining field of view data for a camera, said camera being used to capture said first live video image, said step of determining said position uses said field of view data.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 50 further including the step of: creating clusters of said sensor data.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 1 further including the step of: sensing field of view data, said step of determining said position uses said three dimensional location of said object and said field of view data.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 further including the step of: capturing said first live video image.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 1 further including the steps of: synchronizing a sensor to said object; and sensing data using said synchronized sensor, said data being used by said step of determining a three dimensional location of said object.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein: said object is mobile.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for enhancing a live video presentation of an object during a sporting event, comprising the steps of: sensing said object; determining said object's three dimensional location in real space based on said step of sensing; capturing a first live video image using a camera, said first live video image includes an image of said object; determining field of view data for said camera while capturing said first live video image; determining said object's position in said first live video image using said field of view data and said object's three dimensional location, said step of determining said object's position being performed during said sporting event; and enhancing said live first video image using said determined position.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for enhancing a live video presentation of an object during a sporting event, comprising the steps of: sensing said object; determining said object's three dimensional location in real space based on said step of sensing; capturing a first live video image using a camera, said first live video image includes an image of said object; determining field of view data for said camera while capturing said first live video image; determining said object's position in said first live video image using said field of view data and said object's three dimensional location, said step of determining said object's position being performed during said sporting event; and enhancing said live first video image using said determined position.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 60 wherein: said step of enhancing includes creating a second video image, said second video image including a graphic at a position in said second video image corresponding to said object's position in said first live video image.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 60 wherein: said step of enhancing includes creating a second video image, said second video image including a graphic logically near said object's position in said first live video image.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method according to claim 60 wherein: said step of determining said object's three dimensional location includes: determining lines of position; grouping pairs of said lines of position; determining one or more points of closest contact for at least a subset of said pairs; and determining a center of said points of closest contact.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 60 wherein: said step of determining said object's three dimensional location includes: determining lines of position; and finding said object's location using probabilities.
Claim 67
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for enhancing a live television presentation of an object during a sporting event, comprising the steps of: receiving field of view data for a camera during said sporting event; receiving sensor data pertaining to said object during said sporting event; determining a three dimensional location of said object in real space using said sensor data during said sporting event; determining a position of said object in a video frame of said camera using said field of view data and said three dimensional location, said step of determining a position being performed during said sporting event; and enhancing said video frame based on said position, said enhanced video frame being part of said live television presentation.
Claim 68
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for enhancing a live television presentation of an object during a sporting event, comprising the steps of: receiving field of view data for a camera during said sporting event; receiving sensor data pertaining to said object during said sporting event; determining a three dimensional location of said object in real space using said sensor data during said sporting event; determining a position of said object in a video frame of said camera using said field of view data and said three dimensional location, said step of determining a position being performed during said sporting event; and enhancing said video frame based on said position, said enhanced video frame being part of said live television presentation.
Claim 69
Independent Claim
94 words
A system for enhancing a television presentation of an object during a sporting event, comprising: means for determining a three dimensional location of said object in real space during said sporting event; means for capturing a live video image which includes an image of said object, said image of said object being at a particular position in said video image; means for determining said particular position of the object in said video image during said sporting event using said three dimensional location; and means for enhancing said live video image at said particular position.
Claim 70
Independent Claim
94 words
A system for enhancing a television presentation of an object during a sporting event, comprising: means for determining a three dimensional location of said object in real space during said sporting event; means for capturing a live video image which includes an image of said object, said image of said object being at a particular position in said video image; means for determining said particular position of the object in said video image during said sporting event using said three dimensional location; and means for enhancing said live video image at said particular position.
Claim 71
Independent Claim
135 words
A system for enhancing a live video presentation of an object during a sporting event, said system to be used in conjunction with a camera, said system comprising: one or more object sensors; a field of view sensor, said a field of view sensor senses field of view data for said camera; and one or more processors in communication with said one or more object sensors and said field of view sensor; said one or more processors programmed to: determine a three dimensional location of said object in real space during said sporting event, determine a position of an image of said object in a live video image from said camera during said sporting event, based on said three dimensional location, and cause the enhancement of said live video image based on said determined position.
Claim 72
Independent Claim
135 words
A system for enhancing a live video presentation of an object during a sporting event, said system to be used in conjunction with a camera, said system comprising: one or more object sensors; a field of view sensor, said a field of view sensor senses field of view data for said camera; and one or more processors in communication with said one or more object sensors and said field of view sensor; said one or more processors programmed to: determine a three dimensional location of said object in real space during said sporting event, determine a position of an image of said object in a live video image from said camera during said sporting event, based on said three dimensional location, and cause the enhancement of said live video image based on said determined position.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system according to claim 66 further including: a video modification unit, said video modification receives data from said one or more processors and said camera in order to modify said live video image.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 68 further including: a video delay unit coupled between said broadcast camera and said video modification unit.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 66 wherein: said field of view sensor includes pan and tilt sensors.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 66 wherein: said field of view sensor includes a zoom sensor.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 66 further including: a flash detector in communication with said one or more processors.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 67 wherein: said one or more object sensors include a radar unit.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 67 wherein: said one or more object sensors include an optical sensor.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 67 further including: a synchronization system in communication with said one or more object sensors.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
58 words
A system according to claim 67 further including: a video modification unit in communication with said camera and said one or more processors; a video control unit in communication with said camera; a replay deck in communication with said video control unit; and a delay unit in communication with said video control unit and said video modification unit.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system according to claim 67 wherein: said one or more sensors include a master infrared detector and a slave infrared detector; and said one or more processors subtract slave infrared detector data from master infrared detector data.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 67 wherein: said one or more sensors include a radar transmitter and a radar receiver.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 67 wherein: said one or more processors further programmed to calculate one or more statistics regarding said object.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system according to claim 67 further including an electromagnetic transmitter, completely disposed inside said object, said electromagnetic transmitter adapted to transmit an electromagnetic signal not visible to a human eye to said one or more object sensors.
Claim 86
Independent Claim
139 words
A system for enhancing a live video presentation of an object at a sporting event, said system to be used in conjunction with a camera, comprising: a field of view sensor coupled to said camera; a first infrared pulse detector; a first infrared sensor unit receiving data from said first infrared pulse detector and from said object; and one or more processors receiving data from said field of view sensor and said first infrared sensor unit, said processors programmed to determine a three dimensional location of said object in real space during said sporting event, to determine a position of an image of said object in a live video frame from said camera during said sporting event and based on said three dimensional location, and to cause an enhancement of said live video frame based on said determined position.
Claim 87
Independent Claim
139 words
A system for enhancing a live video presentation of an object at a sporting event, said system to be used in conjunction with a camera, comprising: a field of view sensor coupled to said camera; a first infrared pulse detector; a first infrared sensor unit receiving data from said first infrared pulse detector and from said object; and one or more processors receiving data from said field of view sensor and said first infrared sensor unit, said processors programmed to determine a three dimensional location of said object in real space during said sporting event, to determine a position of an image of said object in a live video frame from said camera during said sporting event and based on said three dimensional location, and to cause an enhancement of said live video frame based on said determined position.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 81 further including: a flash detector, in communication with said one or more processors.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 81 wherein: said first infrared sensor unit includes a master infrared sensor and a slave infrared sensor.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system according to claim 83 wherein: said one or more processors includes sensor electronics adapted to remove data outside of a defined boundary and below a defined brightness, said sensor electronics further adapted to subtract slave infrared sensor data from master infrared sensor data.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system according to claim 84 further including: a second infrared sensor unit.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system according to claim 81 wherein: said first infrared pulse detector includes: a photodetector; an infrared filter in front of said photodetector; a leading edge threshold detector in communication with said photodetector; and a trailing edge threshold detector in communication with said photodetector.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 81 further including: a collector box; and a plurality of infrared pulse detectors connected to said collector box.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 87 further including: at least one flash detector in communication with said collector box.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 81 wherein: said field of view sensor includes a pan sensor, a tilt sensor and a zoom sensor.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 81 wherein: said one or more processors include: means for performing brightness threshold analysis; means for performing subtraction; and means for boundary determinations.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 81 wherein: said one or more processors include: means for performing field of play filters; and means for using exclusion zones.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
56 words
A system according to claim 81 further including: a second infrared sensor unit, said one or more processors receives data from said second infrared sensor unit, said one or more processors uses said data from said first infrared sensor unit and from said second infrared sensor unit to determine said three dimensional location of said object.
Claim 99
Independent Claim
144 words
A system for enhancing a live video presentation of an object at a sporting event, comprising: a camera, said camera includes a tripod for panning and tilting; a pan sensor connected to said camera; a tilt sensor connected to said camera; a zoom sensor connected to said camera; a first infrared sensor unit including a first master sensor and a first slave sensor; a second infrared sensor unit including a second master sensor and a second slave sensor; a first processor in communication with said first infrared sensor; a second processor in communication with said second infrared sensor; a third processor in communication with said first processor, said second processor, said pan sensor, said tilt sensor and said zoom sensor; a flash detector in communication with said first processor; and one or more pulse detectors in communication with said first and second infrared sensors.
Claim 100
Independent Claim
144 words
A system for enhancing a live video presentation of an object at a sporting event, comprising: a camera, said camera includes a tripod for panning and tilting; a pan sensor connected to said camera; a tilt sensor connected to said camera; a zoom sensor connected to said camera; a first infrared sensor unit including a first master sensor and a first slave sensor; a second infrared sensor unit including a second master sensor and a second slave sensor; a first processor in communication with said first infrared sensor; a second processor in communication with said second infrared sensor; a third processor in communication with said first processor, said second processor, said pan sensor, said tilt sensor and said zoom sensor; a flash detector in communication with said first processor; and one or more pulse detectors in communication with said first and second infrared sensors.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system according to claim 93 further including: a memory in communication with said third processor; a keyer in communication with said third processor; a video control unit in communication with said camera; and a delay unit in communication with said video control unit and said keyer.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
148 words
A processor readable storage medium having processor readable code embodied on said processor readable storage medium, said processor readable code for programming one or more processors to perform a method comprising the steps of: determining a three dimensional location of said object in real space, said step of determining a three dimensional position being performed during said sporting event; receiving field of view data for a first live video image, said first live video image includes an image of said object, said image of said object being at a particular position in said first live video image; determining said particular position of said image of said object in said first live video image using said determined location and said field of view data, said step of determining being performed during said sporting event; and directing an enhancement of said first live video image based on said particular position.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
148 words
A processor readable storage medium having processor readable code embodied on said processor readable storage medium, said processor readable code for programming one or more processors to perform a method comprising the steps of: determining a three dimensional location of said object in real space, said step of determining a three dimensional position being performed during said sporting event; receiving field of view data for a first live video image, said first live video image includes an image of said object, said image of said object being at a particular position in said first live video image; determining said particular position of said image of said object in said first live video image using said determined location and said field of view data, said step of determining being performed during said sporting event; and directing an enhancement of said first live video image based on said particular position.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-06-14 | 2002-12-14 | 2003-06-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-06-14 | 2006-12-14 | 2007-06-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-06-14 | 2010-12-14 | 2011-06-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |