Various combinations of camera assembly (500), tracking frequency (510), energy source (520), marker; emission method (530), marker; physical form (540), marker; reflective shape (550), ID: location (560), ID: encoding method (570), ID: obtained (580) and calibration method (590) forming a preferred embodiment (1004) as well as several alternative embodiments for tracking the movement of multiple objects within a predetermined area. Camera assembly (500) optionally comprises fixed volume tracking (502), fixed area tracking (504) and movable volume tracking (506). Tracking frequency (510) optionally comprises visible light (512), infrared light (514) and ultraviolet light (516).

Optimizations for live event, real-time, 3d object tracking

During an online event, a spectator process monitors a state of the event, updating a spectator model, so that spectator data streams can be generated and provided to spectators. The spectator data streams can be formatted and provided with content appropriate for use by different types of spectator devices used by the spectators. The spectator process can also automatically generate virtual commentary appropriate for the action occurring in the event for inclusion in the spectator data streams. A media server receives the rendered data streams and distributes them to the electronic devices being used by the spectators. The distribution can be delayed to avoid a spectator conveying information to a participant that would provide an unfair advantage. Executable code can be included in the spectator data stream to provide additional functionality and facilitate interaction between the spectators, and to enable a spectator to also “play” the game.

Online gaming spectator system

A method for correlating tracking data associated with an activity occurring in a three-dimensional space with images captured within the space comprises the steps of: (a) locating a camera with respect to the three-dimensional space, wherein the camera at a given location has a determinable orientation and field of view that encompasses at least a portion of the space; (b) capturing a plurality of images with the camera and storing data corresponding to the images, including a capture time for each image; (c) capturing tracking data from identification tags attached to the people and/or objects within the space and storing the tracking data, including a tag capture time for each time that a tag is remotely accessed; (d) correlating each image and the tracking data by interrelating tracking data having a tag capture time in substantial correspondence with the capture time of each image, thereby generating track data corresponding to each image; (e) utilizing the track data to determine positions of the people and/or objects within the three dimensional space at the capture time of each image; and (f) utilizing the location and orientation of the camera to determine the portion of the space captured in each image and thereby reduce the track data to a track data subset corresponding to people and/or objects positioned within the portion of space captured in each image.

Correlating captured images and timed 3D event data

A radio frequency (RF) motion capture system includes stationary sensor receivers, one or more transmitter marker tags on one or more objects to be tracked within a capture zone, at least one stationary reference tag transmitter, and a processing system for processing the received signals. The individual tags transmit burst of spread-spectrum RF signals. The transmitted signals include a common sync code, and a tag identification code that is unique to each tag. By computing double differences of pseudoranges, clock terms are cancelled out allowing the processing system to precisely determine the location of each tag as it moves through the capture zone without the need to synchronize clocks between sensors and tags. The system can be used for RF match moving.

Radio frequency motion tracking system and method

A system (100) for tracking the movement of multiple objects within a predefined area using a combination of overhead X-Y filming cameras (25) and tracking cameras (24) with attached frequency selective filter (24f). Also employed are perspective Z filming cameras (25) and tracking cameras (24) with filter (24f). Objects to be tracked have been marked with a frequency selective reflective material, such as patches (7r and 71), sticker (9) and tape (4a). System (100) radiates selected energy (23a) throughout the area of tracking to reflect off the reflective materials. Reflected energy such as (7m, 9a and 4b) is then received by tracking cameras (24) while all other ambient light is blocked by filter (24f). Local Computer System (60) captures images from tracking cameras (24) and locates said markings. Using the location information along with preknowledge concerning the multiple objects maximum rate of speed and maximum size as well as calculated movement information, system (60) is able to extract from the background the portion of the unfiltered images that represent the multiple objects.

Multiple object tracking system

The position of players which may be persons or other objects such as racing cars, sail boats etc. in a sports event is identified and this data is used to create a 3-D image of the event enabling the event to be viewed from any desired angle and also enabling the data to be transmitted to remote viewers enabling the viewers to view the event in 3-D and also to introduce virtual players to compete with real players in the event and to compete with other viewers.

Zion Azar

Papers

Graphical video systems