Abstract: A method for monitoring the location accuracy of an object tracking system includes receiving, from the object tracking system, a recorded position of a wireless test tag installed at a fixed position. This fixed position may be accurately determined without the tracking system, for example, using a laser measurement device. The method includes determining a positioning error of the tracking system by comparing the recorded position, as measured with the tracking system, to the fixed position. The method also includes outputting, in response to the positioning error exceeding a threshold, an indication that the tracking system has reduced accuracy. The method may be extended to several test tags located at several fixed positions throughout the operating area of the tracking system, in which case the indication of reduced accuracy may be generated when any one or more of the test tags has a positioning error exceeding the threshold.

Abstract: A method optimizes an object tracking system that uses receivers to receive beacon signals, or pings, from tracking tags that are attached to objects. An optimizer receives locations of the tracking tags and groups identifiers of the tracking tags into two or more sets. The first set identifies tracking tags that are attached to objects involved in a situation of interest. The optimizer determines a first receiver group based on the locations of tracking tags in the first set and the locations of the receivers. The optimizer determines a center of a smallest three-dimensional polygon bounding the locations of tracking tags in the first set. An antenna of each receiver in the first receiver group is then steered to point towards the center of the polygon while a number of receiver events per second generated by the receiver for tracking tags in the first set increases.

Abstract: An image-stream windowing method includes capturing, with a camera located at a fixed position and having a fixed field of view, a high-resolution image stream of an object that moves during said capturing. The high-resolution image stream includes a sequence of high-resolution frames. The method also includes determining, for each high-resolution frame of the sequence of high-resolution frames, a respective window, of a sequence of windows corresponding to the sequence of high-resolution frames, that encloses the object within said each high-resolution frame. The size and location of the respective window are determined based at least on the fixed position, the fixed field of view, and a position of the object. The method also includes generating a low-resolution image stream from the high-resolution image stream by cropping said each high-resolution frame with its respective window.

Abstract: A method optimizes an object tracking system that uses receivers to receive beacon signals, or pings, from tracking tags that are attached to objects. An optimizer receives locations of the tracking tags and groups identifiers of the tracking tags into two or more sets. The first set identifies tracking tags that are attached to objects involved in a situation of interest. The optimizer determines a first receiver group based on the locations of tracking tags in the first set and the locations of the receivers. The optimizer determines a center of a smallest three-dimensional polygon bounding the locations of tracking tags in the first set. An antenna of each receiver in the first receiver group is then steered to point towards the center of the polygon while a number of receiver events per second generated by the receiver for tracking tags in the first set increases.

Abstract: A speed-based projection filtering method includes generating, based on a sequence of raw location points that indicate locations of a tracking tag attached to a tracked object, a sequence of averaged location points. Based on at least two most-recent averaged location points of the sequence, a latest speed and direction of the tracked object are determined. Based on the latest speed and direction, one or more projected location points are determined when the latest speed of the tracked object is greater than a high-speed threshold and raw location points are missing after the sequence of raw location points. The projected location points are then outputted.

Abstract: An image-stream windowing method includes capturing, with a camera located at a fixed position and having a fixed field of view, a high-resolution image stream of an object that moves during said capturing. The high-resolution image stream includes a sequence of high-resolution frames. The method also includes determining, for each high-resolution frame of the sequence of high-resolution frames, a respective window, of a sequence of windows corresponding to the sequence of high-resolution frames, that encloses the object within said each high-resolution frame. The size and location of the respective window are determined based at least on the fixed position, the fixed field of view, and a position of the object. The method also includes generating a low-resolution image stream from the high-resolution image stream by cropping said each high-resolution frame with its respective window.

Abstract: Object tracking anti-jitter filtering systems and methods. A plurality of raw location points for a tracking tag attached to a tracked object is received. The raw location points are stored within a raw location points buffer. Raw location points within an averaging window are averaged to generate an averaged location point. The averaged location point is stored within an averaged location points buffer for use within the object tracking system.

Abstract: A method for dynamically configuring a receiver of an object tracking system includes detecting an environmental or situation change with the tracking system, and transmitting, in response to the detected change, a signal to the receiver to switch from a first analog front end to a second analog front. The analog front ends may have antennas with different gain, or antennas with the same gain but different filters. The environmental change may be detected based on events per second received from the receiver. The situational change may be detected by determining a bounding region encompassing tracking-tag locations and identifying an optimum analog front end from a plurality of analog front ends of the receiver. A signal is then transmitted to the receiver to switch to the optimum analog front end. The optimum analog front end is the one analog front end having the greatest coverage of the bounding area.

Abstract: Object tracking systems are remotely linked to facilitate real-time competition between athletes in geographically separated, or remote, venues. Athletes wear tracking tags that are monitored by receivers in each venue to generate digital tracking data for the athletes. A local tracking system at each venue receives digital tracking data from other venues and uses it to drive a pacing system or ribbon board display so that the relative performance of athletes in different venues can be observed in real time. Alternatively, the local tracking system can output the data to a large-screen display or webcast so that attendees at the local venue can view the competition in real-time.

Abstract: A camera for facilitating autonomous picture production includes an imager for capturing an image stream, a signal processor for processing the image stream into a plurality of image data paths, at least one image stream output, and a memory for cyclically buffering images of at least two of the plurality of image data paths, into separate circular buffers, respectively, and for buffering one or more output image streams of the camera. A camera for facilitating autonomous picture production produces a standard resolution and rate image stream and a slow-motion image stream of an action of interest.

Abstract: A method for dynamically configuring a receiver of an object tracking system includes detecting an environmental or situation change with the tracking system, and transmitting, in response to the detected change, a signal to the receiver to switch from a first analog front end to a second analog front. The analog front ends may have antennas with different gain, or antennas with the same gain but different filters. The environmental change may be detected based on events per second received from the receiver. The situational change may be detected by determining a bounding region encompassing tracking-tag locations and identifying an optimum analog front end from a plurality of analog front ends of the receiver. A signal is then transmitted to the receiver to switch to the optimum analog front end. The optimum analog front end is the one analog front end having the greatest coverage of the bounding area.

Abstract: A method for determining split times in a relay race run using one or more lanes of a running track, where a relay team in each lane carries a respective relay baton, includes, for each lane: (a) periodically determining a location of the respective relay baton, (b) determining, for one or more take-over zones in the lane, respective first times when the relay baton crosses a respective line within the take-over zone, (c) determining a second time when a finish line of the relay race is reached, and (d) determining a split time for each segment of the relay race, based upon a start time of the relay race, the one or more first times, and the second time.

Abstract: Systems, methods and software products optimize installation and operation of an object tracking system. Performance of the athlete tracking system is continually monitored and optimized based upon one or more of: statically positioned tags, grouping tags within two or more tag sets to assign ping rates, selecting receiver configuration and aim dynamically based upon environmental and situational conditions. Tracking tags are improved to facilitate coupling of the tag to an athlete and may be self-configurable. A trackable protection pad allows a tracking tag to be positioned substantially horizontal when the athlete is competing. A data replay tool replays location tracking information in chronological order and visually plots location of tracking tags and errors in the determined location. A tag manager automatically configures the tracking tags. A robotic vehicle automated installation of the object tracking system.

Abstract: A camera for facilitating autonomous picture production includes an imager for capturing an image stream, a signal processor for processing the image stream into a plurality of image data paths, at least one image stream output, and a memory for cyclically buffering images of at least two of the plurality of image data paths, into separate circular buffers, respectively, and for buffering one or more output image streams of the camera. A camera for facilitating autonomous picture production produces a standard resolution and rate image stream and a slow-motion image stream of an action of interest.

Abstract: An autonomous picture production system for automatically capturing an image of a location within a spectator seating area of a stadium upon request of a spectator includes one or more motorized cameras, an external interaction device for receiving an external request from the spectator, a camera control device for determining an optimal camera from the one or more motorized cameras for capturing the image, the camera control device controlling the optimal camera to capture the image, and a database for storing the image, wherein the external interaction device informs the spectator how to retrieve the image from the database.

Abstract: A camera for facilitating autonomous picture production includes an imager for capturing an image stream, a signal processor for processing the image stream into a plurality of image data paths, at least one image stream output, and a memory for cyclically buffering images of at least two of the plurality of image data paths, into separate circular buffers, respectively, and for buffering one or more output image streams of the camera. A camera for facilitating autonomous picture production produces a standard resolution and rate image stream and a slow-motion image stream of an action of interest.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide feedback to at least one participant in a field of play. A performance analysis device determines performance information of each participant in the field of play, where the performance information is based upon at least one of determined location, speed, path, acceleration and biometrics of said each participant. At least one output device provides real-time feedback to the at least one participant based upon the performance information. The real-time feedback comprises performance information of the at least one participant and/or performance information of one or more other participants in the field of play.

Abstract: A mobile camera system includes a camera affixed to a drone, a video transmitter that wirelessly transmits a video feed outputted by the camera, and At least one tracking tag that wirelessly transmits a location signal receivable by a tracking system to determine a drone position and a drone orientation of the drone. A local controller, also affixed to the drone, is configured to (a) wireless receive, from a camera controller, movement instructions derived from the drone position and the drone orientation, and (b) control the drone position and the drone orientation, based on the movement instructions, such that the camera maintains a perspective view of an object. The tracking system receives location signals to determine the drone position and object position. The camera controller determines movement instructions, based on the drone and object positions, and wirelessly communicates the movement instructions to the mobile camera system.

Abstract: A method for using tracking tags to control mobile cameras to determine and capture desired perspective views of objects of interest (OOIs), includes locating each OOI and determining an orientation of each OOI. A second location of each mobile camera is determined with an orientation of each mobile camera; the method includes controlling, based upon the first and second location, and the orientations, the mobile camera to maintain desired perspective views of the OOIs despite movement of the OOIs. The method executes on a system for controlling a mobile camera including tracking tags configured with each OOI and tracking tags configured with the mobile cameras. A tracking apparatus having at least three receivers positioned around an operational area receives locate signals from the tracking tags to determining location data and a processor determines movement plans for the mobile cameras.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining a target situation in an athletic event. Positional information including the relative positions of a group of selected participants is initially received from a tracking system, and the aggregate motion of the selected participants is detected in real-time using the positional information. The target situation may be determined to have occurred when a change in the aggregate motion occurs in accordance with a predetermined characteristic during an initial time interval.