Abstract: A multi-view video camera system (25) for filming a windsurfing sailor during sailing, comprising of two video cameras in waterproof compartments (7) with lenses (8) and screw caps (29) attached to a clamp (10) with tightening screw (9) and wing nut (23) for attachment to the mast (11) of a windsurfing sail rig (22). The compartments (7) are oriented to aim the contained video cameras (24) along each side of the windsurfing sail rig (22) at corresponding locations a windsurfing sailor would occupy while sailing the windsurfing sail rig. Video streams, resulting from the contained video cameras could then be combined into single composite video for analysis.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for timing athletic events. A radio-based starter unit and a radio based timer unit communicate wirelessly via radio. Push buttons/switches and lights and a speaker in the units provide an intuitive, easy to use interface. Handshaking occurs between the starter unit and the timer unit, and lights indicate that the event is ready to start. Real time clocks in the units are synchronized. Upon detection of race or other event start, such as from a starter's pistol, information indicative of the race start time is transmitted from the start unit to the timer unit. A camera in communication with the timer unit provides video frames, and the timer unit encodes and inserts elapsed time information in the video frames, which are then output from the timer unit for review and analysis on a computer.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for determining when an athlete is in possession of a ball by analyzing image data are provided. A camera is worn by an athlete and is turned on when the athlete is in proximity of a ball. The camera is used to generate an image of a ball. The size of the ball is determined and compared to a threshold. The athlete is considered to be in possession of the ball when the size of the image exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: A video replay system provided for and constructed within an end zone pylon. The video replay pylon includes an inner sleeve that serves as a rigid structure for protecting the enclosed electronic components of the system, and an outer sleeve that provides padding and a weather-proof covering. The components mounted within the inner sleeve include one or more video cameras, an audio microphone, a wireless radio frequency (RF) transmitter and a battery. A wireless receiver receives signals from the transmitter and provides the video images and audio to a television production crew and to game officials, who may use the video images and audio to determine, for example, whether a touchdown has been scored.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for video broadcast production are disclosed. A method for video broadcast production may be implemented by a computing device. A video stream is captured. An external date is inserted at a point of interest in the video stream. The external data facilitates display of content from an external source at the point of interest in the video stream. An encoded video stream including the external data inserted at the point of interest in the video stream is generated.

Abstract: A device for evaluating the appearance of the surface of a tire (P) comprising a color linear camera (1) comprising means (14, 15, 16) for separating the light beam (F) reflected by the surface of said tire (P) and entering the camera (1) into at least two base colors (R, G, B) of given wavelength, so as to direct the light beam to as many sensors (11, 12, 13) capable of obtaining a basic image in gray level (41, 42, 43) for each of the base colors, as many lighting means (21, 22, 23) as base colors, said lighting means being oriented so as to light the surface to be evaluated at different angles, characterized in that each of the lighting means (21, 22, 23) emits a colored light (R, G, B) that differs from that of the other lighting means, and the wavelength of which corresponds substantially to the wavelength of one of the base colors selected by the camera.

Abstract: Video frames of a baseball game are analyzed to determine a track for the participants in the game, e.g., players, coaches and umpires, and to update a digital record of the game. The start and/or end of a half-inning can be indicated by factors such as: the participants leaving the dugout region and entering the playing field, including the outfield, a participant leaving the dugout region and entering the region of a base coach's box, a pitcher throwing pitches when no batter is present, and players on the playing field throwing the ball back and forth to one another. In one approach, the combination of detecting an event which is known to occur most often or always between half-innings followed by detecting another event which is known to occur most often or always during a half-inning, can be used to signal that a half-inning has started.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to perform operations for racing entertainment, including providing each of multiple racers with devices to capture images and sounds as perceived by the racer during a race, obtaining information pertaining to each of multiple users such as account information and selection of a racer whom the user wants to get connection with, managing transactions, processing the images and sounds, and transmitting the processed images and sounds from the racer to a client terminal of the user who selected the racer.

Abstract: System and method for playing game based on coin toss, may utilize sensors to detect physical movement of coin or instrumented coin, communicate sensor-derived data to remote graphical display system, display virtual coin that represents movement and orientation of tossed coin. May utilize sensor, communication, display, game systems and optional message gateway. Sensor system and part of wireless communication system may be external or embedded in coin. Graphical coin movement and orientation may mimic the actual coin being tossed or may be represented as any avatar or other graphical object that represents the coin including celebrity pictures, videos, faces, logos or any other object that may represent a “head” or “tail”. May generate a random number that allows viewers to win a prize. Viewers may guess result of coin toss before toss and win prize if they guess the result correctly.

Abstract: A wireless system for monitoring and recording of recreational activities wherein the system does not require human interaction with the field of activities. The system allows the user the ability to manipulate data retrieved with the field of activities subsequent to storage in an offsite data base and data processing center.

Abstract: A user experience includes an imaging service package provided at a snow park that is able to acquire videos and images of users of the snow park. Cameras are pre-installed in many places to take footage of the users. The cameras are able to shoot a moment of a snowboarder's jump from underneath, above, or moving along with the boarder. Each camera records, transmits and keeps a stream on a server, where the footage is stored. Users are able to easily access the footage anytime using their smart phones and share the footage. The system identifies a user and his footage by matching camera location data and user data (e.g., using NFC, a mid-range communication implementation, GPS data and/or timestamps in the smart phone or other computing devices). The users are able to easily obtain their footage and share the footage through the smart phone without any other devices.

Abstract: A method for distributing sports entertainment includes the step of providing a plurality of video cameras positioned on vehicles or athletes that are participating in sporting events, transmitters for transmitting information from the plurality of cameras to a processing station, retransmission equipment for directing the camera feed from each of the plurality of cameras to separate channels for distribution and remote viewing at viewers' locations, and channel selectors that permit viewers to select from among the various channels, thereby allowing the viewers to select from the plurality of camera feeds. The cameras are simultaneously operated during the sporting event so as to generate a plurality of camera feeds during the event, each feed reflecting the perspective of an individual participant. The plurality of feeds is received by the retransmission equipment and retransmitted to selectable channels, each channel being associated with a respective camera feed.

Abstract: A television signal and image processing system that superimposes an indicator of the fall line of a golf green adjacent the hole on the green image to be televised to the viewer. This process is achieved by generating and storing typographical maps of the greens on a golf course and generating and storing the locations of the holes on those greens, the locations of the holes are then merged with topography of the individual greens, and then the high (above the hole) and low (below the hole) fall lines are calculated in xyz coordinates, and synthesized arrows having the same coordinates are then applied to the merged topography with one arrow on the high side of the hole point downwardly on the fall line in three dimensions and a second arrow on the low side of the hole also pointed downwardly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for a unique camera experience, wherein the camera is placed in an in-ground position permitting recording or broadcast of a camera perspective that is along the surface of or above the surface of the ground. In an exemplary embodiment, the in-ground camera is secured within the surface of a racetrack.

Abstract: Imaging systems and related methods are provided. A representative system includes: a network identification system operative to identify image capturing devices operating within a vicinity of each other; an image cataloging system operative to receive image data, via a communication network, from at least a first image capturing device and a second image capturing device identified as operating within the vicinity of each other, the image cataloging system being further operative to automatically catalog the received image data; and a content feed system operative to receive, via the communication network, a request for a compilation of image data and, responsive thereto, create the compilation of image data such that the compilation of image data includes at least a portion of the image data received from each of the first image capturing device and the second image capturing device.

Abstract: A real time system to both televise and stream sporting events from sports paraphernalia that are ordinarily used by the players on soccer playing fields, ice hockey rinks, tennis courts, baseball playing fields and football playing fields are disclosed. The sports paraphernalia are instrumented with a variety of TV cameras, microphones, and bi-directional communication electronics. Instrumented sports paraphernalia such as ice hockey goals, ice hockey pucks, soccer goals, tennis nets, tennis posts, baseball bases, baseball home plates, baseball pitcher's rubbers and footballs are disclosed. Instrumentation is built into and contained internally within some of the instrumented sports paraphernalia. Instrumentation is mounted and attached onto some of the sports paraphernalia. The instrumented sports paraphernalia can both televise signals to a TV viewing audience, and simultaneously stream onto the internet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting objects. An object detector associated with a platform and configured to detect a number of objects is used to monitor for the number of objects. In response to detecting the number of objects, a number of distances to the number of objects detected by the object detector are measured using a distance measurement system. A number of geographic locations for the number of objects is identified using the number of distances, a location of the platform, and an orientation of the distance measurement system.

Abstract: A system for automatically taking an image of a participant in an event with a timing system determining a time of a passing a detection line on a route by a participant having an RFID tag, the system includes a RFID tag reader system obtaining the RFID tag numbers of the RFID tag in RFID tag reads, time stamping each RFID tag read, and transmitting a tag read message including the RFID tag number, an image capture device capturing images of participants when in proximity to one of the monitored points, generating image data, an image capture system creating an image capture message including the image data, and transmitting the image capture message, and the timing system determining the RFID tag number within the tag read messages, associating the received image data with the identified participant, and storing the image data associated with the determined RFID tag number.

Abstract: There is presented a system and method for providing real-time object recognition to a remote user. The system comprises a portable communication device including a camera, at least one client-server host device remote from and accessible by the portable communication device over a network, and a recognition database accessible by the client-server host device or devices. A recognition application residing on the client-server host device or devices is capable of utilizing the recognition database to provide real-time object recognition of visual imagery captured using the portable communication device to the remote user of the portable communication device. In one embodiment, a sighted assistant shares an augmented reality panorama with a visually impaired user of the portable communication device where the panorama is constructed from sensor data from the device.

Abstract: A method of providing photographic images of live events to a spectator includes obtaining at least one photographic image from at least one camera at a live event; providing a version of the at least one photographic image to an electronic device being used by the spectator; and receiving a selection of a the photographic image or a portion of the photographic image selected by said spectator using the electronic device.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically taking an image of a participant in an event wherein a timing system is used to determine a time of a passing a detection line on a route by a participant having an RFID tag on the participant or an object associated with the participant traveling along the route is disclosed, the system includes a RFID tag reader system configured for obtaining the RFID tag numbers of the RFID tag in one or more RFID tag reads, time stamping each RFID tag read, and transmitting a tag read message including the RFID tag number, an image capture device capturing one or more images of one or more participants when in proximity to one of the RFID tag reader monitored points, generating image data over a data interface, an image capture system receiving the generated image message, creating an image capture message including the image data, and transmitting the image capture message, and timing system receiving the tag read message from the RFID tag reader system and the image capture message

Abstract: A system for automatically video filming an ongoing sports activity within a field uses an imaging device to continuously capture the entire field and the activities of the players involved in the game, and generate video signals. A position measuring arrangement, including multiple transmitters coupled to the different players, regularly measures the spatial locations of the different players with time, as the game continues, and generates position signals that indicate these spatial positions as functions 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, and analyzes the position signals to edit the video signals, and to generate an edited output video content which is delivered to the spectators of the sports activity.

Abstract: A sports training system employing a mounting apparatus and a tablet computer having an interactive user interface and a camera. The tablet computer is mounted to the mounting apparatus and used to record still pictures or live video of an athlete performing an athletic feat. The video may be reviewed by the athlete, a coach, or another professional. Comments may be drawn directly on the video or otherwise relayed to the athlete. The system may also compare successive attempts at the athletic feat to determine progress.

Abstract: A method for distributing sports entertainment includes the step of providing a plurality of video cameras positioned on vehicles or athletes that are participating in sporting events, transmitters for transmitting information from the plurality of cameras to a processing station, retransmission equipment for directing the camera feed from each of the plurality of cameras to separate channels for distribution and remote viewing at viewers' locations, and channel selectors that permit viewers to select from among the various channels, thereby allowing the viewers to select from the plurality of camera feeds. The cameras are simultaneously operated during the sporting event so as to generate a plurality of camera feeds during the event, each feed reflecting the perspective of an individual participant. The plurality of feeds is received by the retransmission equipment and retransmitted to selectable channels, each channel being associated with a respective camera feed.

Abstract: A video broadcast of a live event is enhanced by providing graphics in the video in real time to depict the fluid flow around a moving object in the event and to provide other informative graphics regarding aerodynamic forces on the object. A detailed flow field around the object is calculated before the event, on an offline basis, for different speeds of the object and different locations of other nearby objects. The fluid flow data is represented by baseline data and modification factors or adjustments which are based on the speed of the object and the locations of the other objects. During the event, the modification factors are applied to the baseline data to determine fluid flow in real time, as the event is captured on video. In an example implementation, the objects are race cars which transmit their location and/or speed to a processing facility which provides the video.

Abstract: An image of each frame output from an image sensing device is sequentially acquired. A situation appearing in the image is recognized through recognition processing performed on the image, and, if the recognized situation is a prescribed situation, an object of a type related to the prescribed situation is detected from the image and from an image of each frame containing the image. A detection position, in the image, of each object is used to determine whether the objects come in contact with each other in a physical space.

Abstract: A method and system for remote viewing of multimedia content using a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) is configured to duplicate multimedia content displayed on a first MCDN terminal device and route the duplicate multimedia content to a second MCDN terminal device. The MCDN terminal devices may be coupled to a local network at an MCDN client premises. The MCDN terminal devices may also include wireless telephony devices for mobile remote viewing functionality. The method may include transcoding of the multimedia content into a format suitable for the second MCDN terminal device.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are described for model-based playfield registration. An input video image is processed. The processing of the video image includes extracting key points relating to the video image. Further, whether enough key points relating to the video image were extracted is determined, and a direct estimation of the video image is performed if enough key points have been extracted and then, a homograph matrix of a final video image based on the direct estimation is generated.

Abstract: The present invention is a video production and control system that uses a touch screen display and user interface, managed by a controller, for video switching. The system is used to select Preview and Program video feeds from a set of video input feeds. The video source configuration for some of the feeds may have been selected using touch screen video source control technology. Over time, the user can use the touch screen controls to switch which feeds are then designated as the Preview and Program feeds. The evolving Program signal is sent to a Program output connection for consumers of the Program, possibly after some reformatting. The current Program feed may be promoted from the current Preview feed. User controls determine the type of transition, such as cut or crossfade, that will apply to a transition from Preview to Program.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus, includes: a moving image acquisition unit which acquires a moving image captured under a first capturing situation; a trajectory correction unit which corrects a trajectory of a moving object in the moving image acquired by the moving image acquisition unit to fit the trajectory to a second capturing situation, which is different from the first capturing situation; and a display control unit which causes a display unit to display the trajectory corrected by the trajectory correction unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for automatic video recording of sporting events involving multiple participants.

Abstract: At least one particle p is set on a target 2 in an image of a previously-selected frame in a video (S3), temporally-previous frames and temporally-next frames in the video are sequentially acquired after the previously-selected frame 20 (S4), a part whose degree of difference in pixel values between the image of the acquired previous frame and the image of the next frame is a threshold or more and which corresponds to the target in the image of the previous frame is determined as an outer edge 3a of a particle tracking range, particles in the image of the next frame are set at positions of pixels which are within a predetermined range with reference to the position of the particle in the image of the previous frame and within the outer edge of the tracking range and which have color information similar to color information of the pixel of the position of the reference particle (S5, S6), and a position of the target in the image of the next frame is specified based on the positions of the set particles (S9).

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for encouraging one or more viewers to engage with a broadcast of a live sporting event, and more specifically to a system and method for rewarding people for watching and interacting with live broadcast sporting events to promote loyalty to or improve recognition of sporting events, while collecting useful data about sports consumption habits as well as the rewards consumption patterns associated with those consumers.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program code for controlling a video camera to capture video associated with an event are provided which use historical or predictive data. In some embodiments, historical event information and participant information is received. Video camera configuration and position data is received, as well as current event data. The current event data may be received substantially in real time from the event. Video camera control signals are generated based on at least one of the event information, the participant information, and the current event data. The control signals are transmitted to a video camera to control the operation of the video camera.

Abstract: 2D/3D video conversion using a method for providing an estimation of visual depth for a video sequence, the method comprises an audio scene classification (34) in which a visual depth categorization index of visual depth (37) of a scene is made on basis of an analysis of audio information (32) for the scene, wherein the visual depth categorization index (37) is used in a 5 following visual depth estimation (38) based on video information (33) for the same scene, thereby reducing the calculation load and speeding up the processing.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to perform operations for racing entertainment, including providing each of multiple racers with a device to capture images and sounds as perceived by the racer during a race, obtaining information pertaining to each of multiple users such as account information and selection of a racer whom the user wants to got connection with, managing transactions, processing the images and sounds, and transmitting the processed images and sounds from the racer to a client terminal of the user who selected the racer. The present system and method may be configured to allow users to play a racing game based on the captured images and sounds by actual racers.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device for use at a venue hosting a live sporting event, having a receiver for receiving a wireless RF transmission conveying a plurality of video streams derived from video cameras filming the live sporting event, a display and a user interface for selecting a video stream among the plurality of video streams to be displayed on the display. The handheld electronic device is capable to acquire a locked mode of operation and an unlocked mode of operation, in the locked mode of operation the handheld electronic device being precluded from displaying the video streams to a spectator, in the unlocked mode of operation the handheld electronic device being enabled to display the video streams to the spectator, the handheld electronic device capable to acquire the unlocked mode of operation in response to reception of authentication data wirelessly transmitted to the handheld electronic device.

Abstract: An apparatus for classifying focus points detected in media content associated with an event(s) and generating a media content recording with media segments associated with a portion of the focus points may include a processor and memory storing executable computer program code that cause the apparatus to at least perform operations including receiving items of recorded media content and sensor data, from one or more devices, corresponding to at least one event. The computer program code may further cause the apparatus to determine one or more focus points of interest in the media content indicating areas or locations of interest that are associated with the event. The computer program code may further cause the apparatus to classify the focus points of interest based in part on analyzing respective items of the sensor data. Corresponding methods and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: A real time system to televise sporting events from amongst the players on the playing field is disclosed. Sports paraphernalia that are ordinarily used by the players on the playing field are instrumented with a variety of TV cameras, microphones, and bi-directional communication electronics. Sports paraphernalia like footballs, ice hockey pucks, baseball first bases, baseball second bases, baseball third bases, baseball home plates and baseball pitcher's rubbers are disclosed. The instrumentation is built into and contained within the sports paraphernalia themselves. The instrumented sports paraphernalia televise signals to an antenna array relay junction, which relays the signals to a remote base station where they are processed and finally broadcast to a TV viewing audience. The cameraman in the remote base station exercises command and control over the functions of the instrumented sports paraphernalia.

Abstract: A networked jump safety system and method for monitoring a jump area is described. The system comprises a safety analysis station connected via a network to least one monitoring station. The output of a sensor is analyzed at the safety analysis station to determine if it is safe for a rider to enter a jump area. A status corresponding to the determination is transmitted via the network from the safety analysis station to a light emitting output.

Abstract: It is provided a system for embedment within a sport playing object, a ball for example. The system is associated with continuous determination of a state of the object, its location and pose. The system includes an inertial navigation system (INS) module first state module adapted for measuring parameters associated with the object state, a wireless transmitter, a battery for providing electric power, and a mounting module connecting the object with the first state module, the wireless transmitter and the battery. Independent data relating to the object state is provided by a second state module, a camera system for example. The object state is calculated in accordance with the parameters measured by the first state module and in accordance with the independent provided data. The camera system capturing the object includes at least two mutually displaced camera clusters, and each camera cluster includes one or more cameras for providing a predetermined spatial resolution.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for controlling camera aiming and operation through a convenient and intuitive interface using correlative touch and feel, which allows a camera operator to primarily pay attention to a game or event, while simultaneously controlling a still or video camera in three control dimensions, with a high degree of accuracy or quality.

Abstract: A video effect is created that provides an experience to a viewer of freezing time during an event that is the subject of a video presentation, investigating the event during that frozen moment in time, and (optionally) resuming the action of the event. During that frozen moment in time, the video can move around the scene of the event and/or zoom in (or out) to better highlight an aspect of the event. In one embodiment, there will be a transition from video captured by a broadcast camera (or another camera) to a high resolution still image, movement around the high resolution still image, and a transition from the high resolution still image back to video from the broadcast camera (or another camera).

Abstract: An object is detected in images of a live event by storing and indexing templates based on representations of the object from previous images. For example, the object may be a vehicle which repeatedly traverses a course. A first set of images of the live event is captured when the object is at different locations in the live event. A representation of the object in each image is obtained, such as by image recognition techniques, and a corresponding template is stored. When the object again traverses the course, for each location, the stored template which is indexed to the location can be retrieved for use in detecting the object in a current image. The object's current location may be obtained from GPS data from the object, for instance, or from camera sensor data, e.g., pan, tilt and zoom, which indicates a direction in which the camera is pointed.

Abstract: A representation of an object in an image of a live event is obtained by determining a color profile of the object. The color profile may be determined from the image in real time and compared to stored color profiles to determine a best match. For example, the color profile of the representation of the object can be obtained by classifying color data of the representation of the object into different bins of a color space, in a histogram of color data. The stored color profiles may be indexed to object identifiers, object viewpoints, or object orientations. Color data which is common to different objects or to a background color may be excluded. Further, a template can be used as an additional aid in identifying the representation of the object. The template can include, e.g., a model of the object or pixel data of the object from a prior image.

Abstract: Video capture systems, methods and computer program products can be provided and configured to capture video sequences of one or more subjects during an activity. The video capture system can be configured to include a communications module that is provided to receive a set of successive frames of video image data of a defined coverage area in an activity location and to receive tracking information indicating a position of the subject in the activity location. A content selection module can be further provided to determine a location of the subject in the defined coverage area based on the tracking information to thereby determine a subset of the image data in one or more received frames, or in a set of frames, of video image data that contains image data of the subject.

Abstract: A combination speed-detection, video-recording, and timing device that can be hand-held. The device contains one or more speed detection means, including, but not limited to, a radar detection or laser detection device. The device includes a camera able to capture video in digital form, and a timing device, similar in function to a stopwatch. The device is pointed at the object whose speed is to be measured, or the events to be recorded, and can be operated by means of a trigger on a handle. The device may further include a display, along with display controls. Storage means is used to store the speed, video and timer data. The device may contain its own power supply, or may be externally powered.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the position of a sporting projectile within a scene, the apparatus comprising: an interface operable to receive a plurality of images of the scene, in which the plurality of images are captured substantially simultaneously by a plurality of cameras, each camera having a different field of view of the scene; asporting projectile pattern memory module comprising data indicative of a characteristic pattern of the sporting projectile's surface; a sporting projectile pattern detection unit operable to, for each of the images, use the data from the sporting projectile pattern memory module to identify at least a part of the sporting projectile within the image and produce position and orientation data for the sporting projectile within the image; asporting projectile position detection unit operable to determine the position of the ball within the scene on the basis of the position and orientation data for the sporting projectile within each of the images and the relative positions of t

Abstract: A camera movement correction apparatus for use in a system which detects the position of a sporting projectile within a scene, the apparatus comprising: an interface operable to receive a first and second image of the scene captured by a camera; a reference marker determiner operable to determine the position of a reference marker within the first and second image of the scene, the reference marker being static within the scene; a difference determination device operable to determine the difference between the position of the reference marker in the first and second image of the scene; and a corrective transformer operable to apply a corrective transform to the second image on the basis of said determined difference.

Abstract: A method for distributing sports entertainment includes the step of providing a plurality of video cameras positioned on vehicles or athletes that are participating in sporting events, transmitters for transmitting information from the plurality of cameras to a processing station, retransmission equipment for directing the camera feed from each of the plurality of cameras to separate channels for distribution and remote viewing at viewers' locations, and channel selectors that permit viewers to select from among the various channels, thereby allowing the viewers to select from the plurality of camera feeds. The cameras are simultaneously operated during the sporting event so as to generate a plurality of camera feeds during the event, each feed reflecting the perspective of an individual participant. The plurality of feeds is received by the retransmission equipment and retransmitted to selectable channels, each channel being associated with a respective camera feed.