CH720256A2 - System and method for determining a path of a moving object or player on a sports field - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for determining a path of an object or a player in motion on a sports field, this path consisting of stationary positions of this object or this player on this sports field, the method comprising: - a step of determining, by an electronic device, a geographical position data (X Ball, Y Ball) of the object or the player during a sporting activity each time the object or the player is in a stationary position on the sports field, and - a step of generating the path of the object or the player on a graphical representation of the sports field on the basis of the geographical position data (X Ball, Y Ball ) calculated by the electronic device. The invention also relates to a system (1) for determining a path of a moving object or player on a sports field.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and a method for determining a path of an object or a player moving on a sports field.

Background of the invention

[0002] There are many sports in which it can be interesting to obtain the trajectory followed by an object or a player moving on a sports field. For example, we can cite sports such as curling, pétanque, snooker, or even golf.

[0003] In the prior state of the art, it is known that the determination of such a route is generally carried out on the basis of a system which is capable of implementing complex monitoring equipment making it possible to locate in real-time position of the object or player on the sports field. Such monitoring equipment used high-precision laser distance measuring systems installed at multiple locations on the sports field. Such a system requires a large number of skilled operators to ensure the efficient operation of the monitoring equipment.

[0004] In this context, there is a need for an improved system and method for determining a path of a moving object or player on a sports field, which overcomes the mentioned drawback.

Summary of the invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide an alternative to existing methods.

[0006] To this end, the embodiments of the present disclosure comprise a method for determining a path of an object or a player in motion on a sports field, this path being made up of stationary positions of this object or this player on this sports field, the method comprising: – a step of determining, by an electronic device, a geographical position data of the object or the player during a sporting activity each time that the object or the player is in a stationary position on the sports field, and – a step of generating the path of the object or the player on a graphical representation of the sports field on the basis of the geographical position data calculated by the electronic device (2).

[0007] In other embodiments: – the determination step comprises a sub-step of detecting that the object or the player is in a stationary position on the sports field; – the determination step includes a sub-step of estimating characteristics for determining the geographical position data of the object or the player during the sporting activity; – the estimation sub-step includes a phase of evaluating a distance between the object or the player and the electronic device; – the estimation sub-step includes a phase of evaluating an angle defined between a direction oriented towards the object or the player and a direction oriented towards a cardinal point; – the estimation sub-step includes a phase of determining a geographical position of the electronic device; – the determination step comprises a sub-step of calculating the position data of the object or the player on the basis of an estimated angle between a direction oriented towards the object or the player and a direction oriented towards a Cardinal point ; – the determination step includes a sub-step of calculating the position data of the object or the player on the basis of a distance evaluated between the object or the player and the electronic device; – the determination step comprises a sub-step of calculating the position data of the object or the player on the basis of a geographical position of the electronic device; – the calculation sub-step includes an execution phase of an algorithm for producing the position data implementing the mathematical formulas: XBall= XPed+ d.sin(α) YBall= YPed+ d.cos(α) – the generation step includes a sub-step of selecting geographic map data relating to the sports field; – the generation step includes a sub-step of creating the route on the graphic representation of the sports field on the basis of the determined geographic position data and the geographic map data.

[0008] The embodiments of the present disclosure also include a system for determining a path of an object or a player moving on a sports field, this path being made up of stationary positions of this object or of this player on this sports field, the system comprising an electronic device configured to: – determine geographical position data of the object or the player during a sporting activity each time the object or the player is in a stationary position on the sports field, and – generate the path of the object or the player on a graphical representation of the sports field on the basis of the geographical position data.

[0009] In other embodiments: – the electronic device is a portable electronic device such as a smart phone, a smart watch, a phablet or a tablet; – the electronic device is a mobile electronic device which can be moved autonomously or by being controlled remotely by a remote server or an operator.

[0010] The embodiments of the present disclosure also include a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer instructions configured to cause at least one processor of an electronic device to: – determine a geographic position datum of the object or player during a sporting activity each time the object or player is in a stationary position on the sports field, and – generate the path of the object or player on a graphical representation of the playing field sport based on geographic position data.

[0011] The embodiments of the present disclosure also include a computer program, optionally stored on a medium, comprising instructions for causing an electronic device and/or a server to carry out this method.

Brief description of the drawings

[0012] The present invention will be described subsequently in more detail with reference to the appended drawing, given by way of example, but in no case limiting itself thereto, in which: – Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a view of a system for determining a path of an object or a player moving on a sports field, according to one embodiment of the invention, and – Figure 2 represents a flowchart relating to a method for determining the path of the moving object or player on the sports field, according to the embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

[0013] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a system 1 and a method for determining a path 6 of an object 3a or a player 3b moving on a sports field 4 is illustrated. In this context, it can be understood that such a system 1 and such a method can also make it possible to monitor the progress of the object 3a or the player 3b on the sports field 4. In other words, this system 1 and this method contribute to visually informing the public of a sports match with regard to the course 6 and more particularly with regard to the last position of the object 3a or the player 3b on the sports field 4.

[0014] Such a system 1 and such a method can be implemented in all sports in which the object 3a or the player 3b is made to move on a sports field 4 while making frequent stops. These sports can be, in a non-limiting and/or non-exhaustive manner: golf, pétanque or curling, etc. In this regard, object 3a is a mobile object such as for example a ball, a stone slipping, etc.

[0015] In this context, the frequent stops correspond in this invention to stationary positions 7 of the object 3a or of the player 3b on the sports field 4. It should be understood that the stationary position 7 means that the object 3a or the player 3b remains without movement/displacement for a certain duration during the sporting activity on this sports field 4.

[0016] In Figure 1, this system 1 comprises an electronic device 2 which is preferably a portable electronic device such as a smart phone, a smart watch, a phablet or a tablet.

[0017] Alternatively, this electronic device 2 can also be called a “mobile electronic device” given that it is configured to follow the object 3a or the player 3b. Indeed, this electronic device 2 can move autonomously thanks to the fact that it includes a transport module which can be a removable transport module. In this configuration, this device 2 can be a mobile electronic device rolling like a radio-controlled car, for example a miniature model of car, van or buggy which can be controlled from a certain distance using a transmitter or a specialized remote control. Alternatively, this device 2 can be a mobile electronic device flying like a drone.

[0018] It can be noted that when this device 2 is a mobile electronic device, it can also be moved while being controlled remotely by a remote control device of this system 1. In this context, this remote control device is connected to the device 2 and can thus control the movement of the device 2 in order to follow the movement of the object 3a or the player 3b on the sports field 4. The remote control device is composed of a control unit which is capable of executing a specific algorithm to control the autonomous movement of the electronic device 2. In a variant, this remote control device makes it possible to control the movement of the electronic device 2 which can be used/manipulated by an operator. It can be noted that this operator can be located at a different location from the object 3a or the player 3b.

[0019] Such an electronic device 2 comprises, in a non-limiting and/or non-exhaustive manner: – several sensors 6a comprising an acceleration sensor and/or a magnetic sensor and/or a G sensor and/or a sensor gyroscopic and/or a motion sensor; – a module for capturing/acquiring 6b of at least one image, in particular comprising at least one image sensor; – a module for measuring a distance 6c such as a telemetry module such as an electronic rangefinder, or a telemetry and remote sensing module such as for example a LIDAR, acronym for “Light Detection And Ranging, detection and ranging by light waves“ ; – a 6d geolocation receiver suitable for use with a global navigation satellite system (“GNSS”) such as the global positioning system (“GPS”); – a processing unit 5 (also called “control device”) comprising hardware and software resources, in particular at least one processor cooperating with memory elements; – an interface for broadcasting 6th visual information such as a digital display; – an interface for broadcasting 6f audio information such as a loudspeaker; – a 6g communication interface allowing this device 2 to establish a communication connection with a remote server (for example cellular, local network, WLAN, Bluetooth, etc.); – an input interface 6h such as a button, a tactile interface included in, for example, the interface for broadcasting a visual fragment of information, or a microphone for vocal instructions.

[0020] In this device 2, the processing unit 5 is connected, among others, to the sensors 6a, to the module for capture/acquisition 6b, to the module for measuring a distance 6c and to the geolocation receiver 6d, to the interfaces for broadcasting 6e, 6f, to the communication interface 6g and to the input interface 6h.

[0021] More specifically, the 6g communication interface of this device 2 comprises communication elements for receiving and transmitting data remotely via a communication network such as the cellular telephone network, a data network of the type Internet protocol, IP, via the telephone network, or a data network of the typical IP type via a medium-range network, for example WI-FI or a short-range network implementing Bluetooth technology.

[0022] Furthermore, the processing unit 5 of this electronic device 2 is capable of executing a computer program also called an application or “app”. More precisely in this context, the app is a „ball positioning app“. This application is able to participate in the implementation of part of steps 20 to 37 of the method described below, when the processing unit 5 of the device 2 executes it.

Referring now to Figure 2, the system 1 is capable of implementing the method for determining a path 6 of the object 3a or the player 3b in movement on a sports field 4, this course 6 being made up of stationary positions 7 of this object 3a or of this player 3b on this sports field 4.

Such a method begins with an execution step 20, by the processing unit 5 of the device 2, of the application for positioning the object 3a or the player 3b. By thus executing this application, this processing unit 5 is able to implement the following steps of the method in order to participate in the determination of this path 6 of the object 3a or of the player 3b in movement on the sports field 4.

Once this application is executed by the processing unit 5, the method includes a step of arrangement/positioning 21 of the electronic device 2 at a distance d from the object 3a or the player 3b. During this step 21, the device 2 is arranged in the vicinity of this object 3a or this player 3b, that is to say that it is not in contact with this object 3a or with this player 3b. In other words, the distance d established between the device 2 and this object 3a or this player 3b is not zero. More specifically, this distance is between 1 and 10 meters. This distance d is preferably of the order of 4 meters.

More specifically, this step 21 comprises a tracking sub-step 22 of the object 3a or the player 3b. During this sub-step 22, the device 2 can be worn and manipulated/controlled by a person accompanying the player 3b or the object 3a. In this context, this sub-step 22 may include a phase of guiding, visually and/or auditorily, this person via the interface for the dissemination 6e of information/a visual guidance message and/or the interface 6f for broadcasting information/an audio guidance message from the device 2. Such a guidance phase is implemented by the processing unit 5 connected to these two interfaces 6e, 6f. In an alternative, when the device 2 comprises a transport module, this device 2 can follow the player 3b or the object 3a autonomously or by being controlled remotely by the operator mentioned above.

[0027] Furthermore, the method comprises a step 23 of determining, by the electronic device 2, a geographical position data XBall, YBall of the object 3a or of the player 3b during the sporting activity. Such a step 23 is implemented by the processing unit 5 of the device 2 executing the application for the positioning of the object 3a or the player 3b.

[0028] This step 23 includes a sub-step 24 of detecting that the object 3a or the player 3b is in a stationary position 7. Indeed, the determination of the geographical position data XBall, YBall requires that the object 3a or the player 3b is in a stationary/immobile position on the sports field 4. Such a sub-step 24 is appropriate for detecting that this object 3a or this player 3b is in a stationary position 7 after the processing unit 5 of the device 2 has determined that this object 3a or this player 3b remained motionless for a time t greater than a configurable reference time.

Next, this step 24 comprises a sub-step 25 of estimating characteristics for determining the geographical position data XBall, YBall of the object 3a or the player 3b during the sporting activity.

[0030] During this substep 25, the device 2, more specifically its processing unit 5, is capable of implementing various measurement operations in order to determine the positions of the object 3a or the player 3b. To accomplish this, the device 2 carries out the following phases simultaneously, or successively in any order: – an evaluation phase 26 of the distance d between the object 3a or the player 3b and the electronic device 2; – a phase of determination 27 of a geographical position XPed, YPed of the electronic device 2, and – a phase of evaluation 28 of an angle α defined between a direction oriented towards the object 3a or the player 3b and a direction oriented towards a cardinal point. Such a cardinal point is preferably chosen from one of the following four cardinal points: north, south, east, west.

[0031] In this context, the processing unit 5, by executing this application, is configured to participate in the implementation of the evaluation phase 26 of the distance d. During this phase 26, this processing unit 5 receives measurement data from the module for measuring a distance. This measurement data relating to the distance d between the device 2 and the object 3a or the player 3b is then stored in the memory elements of the processing unit 5.

[0032] In an alternative, the distance d can be a predetermined distance, or a distance already known because this distance d is for example always the same. In this context, this distance d is already stored in the form of measurement data in the memory elements of the processing unit 5.

[0033] In another variant, this distance d can be entered via the input interface by a user of this device 2 or an operator of this device 2. In this case, the processing unit 5 receives data from measurement relating to this distance, coming from the input interface.

[0034] Furthermore, the processing unit 5, by executing this application, is also configured to participate in implementing the phase of determining 27 of a geographic position XPed, YPed of the device 2. More specifically, the The processing unit 5 receives measurement data from the geolocation receiver of this device 2. This measurement data preferably includes information relating to the geographic position of the device 2, also known as geopositioning, geotracking, geolocation , a geofence, a geolocation or a geoposition fixation. This geographic position XPed, YPed results in a set of geographic coordinates such as latitude and longitude in a given map reference frame.

[0035] In addition, the processing unit 5 executing this application is also configured to participate in the evaluation phase 28 of the angle α. Indeed, this processing unit 5 receives measurement data coming from one or more sensors among the following sensors of the device 2, such as the acceleration sensor and/or the magnetic sensor and/or the G sensor and /or the gyroscopic sensor and/or the motion sensor. This measurement data relating to the angle α is then stored in the memory elements of the processing unit 5.

It can be noted that this estimation sub-step 25 includes a tracking phase 29 of the object 3a or the player 3b. Such a phase 29 can be executed simultaneously with the other phases 26 to 28 of this sub-step 25. This phase 29 participates in carrying out the different measurement operations in order to determine the geographical position data XBall, YBall of the object 3a or the player 3b.

[0037] During this phase 29, the device 2 can be worn and manipulated/controlled by a person accompanying the player 3b or the object 3a. In this context, this phase 29 may include a sub-phase of guiding, visually and/or auditorily, this person via the interface for the dissemination 6e of information/a visual guidance message and/or the interface 6f for broadcasting information/an audio guidance message from the device 2. Such a guidance sub-phase is implemented by the processing unit 5 connected to these two interfaces 6e, 6f. In an alternative, when the device 2 comprises a transport module, this device 2 can follow the player 3b or the object 3a autonomously or by being controlled remotely by the operator mentioned above.

Next, the determination step 23 includes a sub-step 30 of calculating the position data XBall, YBall of the object 3a or the player 3b by the electronic device 2, more specifically by its processing unit 5. This sub-step 30 includes an execution phase 31 of an algorithm for producing the position data XBall, YBall based on the following data measurements stored in the memory elements of the processing unit 5, namely: – the angle α between the direction oriented towards the object 3a or the player 3b and the direction oriented towards a cardinal point; – the distance d between the object 3a or the player 3b and the electronic device 2, and – the geographical position XPed, YPed of the electronic device 2.

[0039] In this context, the algorithm for producing the position data XBall, YBall includes the mathematical formulas: – geographical position of the object 3a or the player 3b, here a geographical coordinate such as the longitude in a given cartographic reference; – YBalla geographical position component of the object 3a or the player 3b, here a geographical coordinate such as the latitude in a given cartographic reference frame; – XPeda geographical position component of device 2, here a geographical coordinate such as longitude in a given cartographic reference frame; – YPeda geographical position component of device 2, here a geographical coordinate such as the latitude in a given cartographic reference frame; – d: the distance between object 3a or player 3b and device 2; – α: the angle between the direction oriented towards the object 3a or the player 3b and a direction oriented towards a cardinal point.

Then, the position data XBall, YBall of the object 3a or the player 3b generated here is stored in the memory elements of the processing unit 5.

[0041] Furthermore, the method then comprises a step 32 of generating the path 6 of the object 3a or the player 3b on/in a graphic representation of the sports field 4 on the basis of the geographical position data XBall, YBall calculated by the electronic device 2. It can be noted that this graphic representation can be a two-dimensional graphic representation or a three-dimensional graphic representation.

This generation step 32 includes a sub-step 33 of selection of geographic map data relating to the sports field 4. This geographic cartographic data includes all the information concerning the geographical particularities of the sports field 4, in respecting the topography, distances and reliefs of this surface. The memory element of the processing unit 5 includes a plurality of geographic map data relating to different sports fields 4. These geographic map data relating to different sports fields 4 can also be stored in a remote server to which the device 2 is able to connect in the context of this selection sub-step 33.

Next, this step 32 includes a sub-step 34 of creating the course 6 on/in the graphic representation of the sports field 4 on the basis of the geographical position data XPed, YPed determined and this geographical map data. This substep 34 includes a generation phase 35 by the processing unit 5 of the device 2 of this graphic representation on the basis of the previously selected geographic map data.

Subsequently, the creation sub-step 34 includes a positioning phase 36 of the stationary positions 7 on this graphic representation on the basis of the geographical map data and the geographical position data XPed, YPed previously determined.

[0045] During this sub-step 34, the processing unit 5 is capable of implementing these two phases 35, 36 by executing instructions for implementing a graphics program for generating of the graphic representation comprising the route 6 carried out by the object 3a or the player 3b on the basis of the geographical map data and the geographical position data XPed, YPed.

[0046] The method may include a step 37 of broadcasting the graphic representation of the sports field 4 comprising this path 6 towards: – the interface for the broadcast of visual information 6e of the device 2, or – towards the remote server including a web server application or a streaming video server application.

It can be noted that generation step 32 of route 6 is executed once all the geographic position data has been determined. That is to say, when the sporting activity or match is over. Alternatively, this step 32 can be executed for each determined geographic position reference frame. That is to say, each time this geographical position data is obtained.

[0048] Furthermore, the present disclosure also includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer instructions configured to cause at least one processor of an electronic device to: – determine a piece of geographic position data object or player during a sporting activity each time the object or player is in a stationary position 7 on the sports field, and – generate the path of the object or player on a graphical representation of the field sports based on the geographical position data XBall, YBall.

The above is only illustrative of preferred embodiments of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. It is to be understood that other improvements and modifications which are directly derived or designed by those skilled in the art without departing from the basic concept of the present invention are to be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims (14)

1. Method for determining a path (6) of an object (3a) or a player (3b) moving on a sports field (4), this path (6) being made up of stationary positions ( 7) of this object (3a) or this player (3b) on this sports field (4), the method comprising: – a step of determining (23), by an electronic device (2), a geographical position data (XBall, YBall) of the object (3a) or the player (3b) during a sporting activity each once the object (3a) or the player (3b) is in a stationary position (7) on the sports field (4), and – a step of generating (32) the path (6) of the object (3a) or the player (3b) on a graphic representation of the sports field (4) on the basis of the geographical position data (XBall, YBall ) calculated by the electronic device (2). 2. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the determination step (23) comprises a sub-step of detection (24) that the object (3a) or the player (3b) is in a stationary position (7 ) on the sports field (4). 3. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the determination step (23) comprises a sub-step of estimation (25) of characteristics for determining the geographical position data (XBall, YBall) of the object or player during the sporting activity. 4. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the estimation sub-step (25) comprises an evaluation phase (26) of a distance (d) between the object (3a) or the player (3b ) and the electronic device (2). 5. Method according to preceding claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the estimation sub-step (25) comprises an evaluation phase (28) of an angle (α) defined between a direction oriented towards the object (3a) or the player (3b) and a direction oriented towards a cardinal point. 6. Method according to preceding claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the estimation sub-step (25) comprises a phase of determining (27) a geographical position XPed, YPed of the electronic device (2). 7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the determination step (23) comprises a sub-step of calculating (30) the position data (XBall, YBall) of the object (3a ) or the player (3b) on the basis: – an angle (α) estimated between a direction oriented towards the object (3a) or the player (3b) and a direction oriented towards a cardinal point; – a distance (d) evaluated between the object (3a) or the player (3b) and the electronic device (2), and – a geographical position (XPed, YPed) of the electronic device (2). 8. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the calculation sub-step (30) comprises an execution phase (31) of an algorithm for producing the position data (XBall, YBall) implementing the mathematical formulas: – XBall= XPed+ d.sin(α) – YBall= YPed+ d.cos(α) 9. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the generation step (32) comprises a sub-step of selection (33) of geographical map data relating to the sports field (4) . 10. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the generation step (32) comprises a sub-step of creation (34) of the course (6) on the graphic representation of the sports field (4) on the basis of the determined geographic position data (XPed, YPed) and the geographic map data. 11. System (1) for determining a path (6) of an object (3a) or a player (3b) moving on a sports field (4), this path (6) being made up of stationary positions (7) of this object (3a) or this player (3b) on this sports field (4), the system comprising an electronic device (2) configured to: – determine geographical position data (XBall, YBall) of the object (3a) or the player (3b) during a sporting activity each time the object (3a) or the player (3b) is in a stationary position (7) on the sports field (4), and – generate the path (6) of the object (3a) or the player (3b) on a graphical representation of the sports field (4) on the basis of the geographical position data (XBall, YBall). 12. System (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the electronic device (2) is a portable electronic device (2) such as a smart phone, a smart watch, a phablet or a tablet. 13. System (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the electronic device (2) is a mobile electronic device which can be moved autonomously or by being controlled remotely by a remote server (4) or an operator. 14. Non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer instructions configured to cause at least one processor of an electronic device to: – determine geographical position data (XBall, YBall) of the object (3a) or the player (3b) during a sporting activity each time the object (3a) or the player (3b) is in a stationary position (7) on the sports field (4), and – generate the path (6) of the object (3a) or the player (3b) on a graphical representation of the sports field (4) on the basis of the geographical position data (XBall, YBall).