GB2242092A

GB2242092A - Computer tracking system

Info

Publication number: GB2242092A
Application number: GB8902677A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Lawrence Nolan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-02-07
Filing date: 1989-02-07
Publication date: 1991-09-18
Also published as: GB8902677D0

Abstract

A computer tracking system that enables a computer aided camera to 'lock onto' a previously designated moving object. It can be used to film anything that moves and is possible to fix a reflective target onto.

Description

KEY INDEX A. MOVING OBJECT.

B. FLUORESCENT REFLECTIVE TARGET.

C. FILM CAMERA.

D. IMAGE FROM CAMERA RELAYED TO TELEVISION SCREEN.

E. FLAT,BLACK,TV SCREEN.

F. MOVING OBJECT.

G. IMAGE FROM TV RELAYED TO COLOUR COMPUTER V.D.U.

H. LIGHT IS SHONE ONTO THE V.D.U. THAT IS PECULIAR TO THE FLUORESCENT REFLECTIVE TARGET. THIS RESULTS IN A RAY Or REFLECTED LIGHT.

I. TARGET AT (A,2).

J. RAY OF LIGHT FROM LIGHT GRID.

K. REFLECTED BEAM INTERSECTS LIGHT GRID AND REVEAL; POSITION OF TARGET TO THE COMPUTER.

L. THE COMPUTER IS MADE AWARE OF THE POSITION OF THE REFLECTIVE TARGET. A PROGRAM IS SET INTO ACTION THAT MUST CENTRALISE THE REFLECTED BEAM WITHIN THE LIGHT GRID.

M. REFLECTED BEAM IS CENTRALISED BY COMPUTER CHANGING CAMERA/POSITION.

N. TARGET AT (B,2).

O. COMPUTER CONTROLS SERVOS.

P. SERVO'S CONTROLLING CAMERA ANGLE. PROGRAM RUNS CONTINUALLY THEREFOR CAMERA TRACKS OBJECT.

COMPUTER TRACKING SYSTEM FOR USE IN THE TELEVISION AND FISN INDUSTRIES This invention relates to a television or film camera that is able to 'lockonto' and 'track' a designated moving object. This has previously been done by skilled cameramen who try to keep a moving object 'in frame'. My invention allows a moving photographic subject to be 'dead centre' of the screen all the time using a computer aided camera.

There are a number of essential technical features to my invention. They are: 1. A fluorescent reflective target made with a particularly coloured material that can be stuck onto the moving photographic subject. 2. An ordinary film camera mounted on a tripod or on rails with servos fixed between the camera and its mounting that control its angle and position. 3. A television screen onto which the pictures from this camera are relayed immediately. This will be a square flat dark television screen. 4. A computer with a V.D.U. Onto this V.D.U. is relayed the picture from the television screen. Across the surface of the V.D.U.

screen is shone a grid of light rays. These are shone frou the left side and the bottom side of the V.D.U. by small lazers and are received by receivers on the right side and the top side of the V.D.U. This grid of light is as close to the surface of the V.D.U. as possible. The computer is- 'aware' of this grid of light ie. if one was to put his finger onto the computer screen the computer would be able to plot its position. The light used in the light grid is sensitive to that of the reflective target. A strang uniform light is shone across the entire V.D.U. screen.

This light is peculiar to the fluorescent reflective target and the result of this is a beam of light emanating from the reflective target which is 'in camera'. This beam of light intersects some of the rays on the light grid and so reveals the position of the reflective target to the computer.

As well as being aware of the grid of light across its V.D.U. the computer is also in control of (ie. able to send messages to) the servo's controlling the camera angle. A program is written that tells the computer to centralise the ray of reflected light emanating from the reflective target on the V.D.U. screen that is cutting through the light grid.

The computer does this by sending messages to the servos to move in such a way as to achieve the object of the computer program. The camera 'locks onto' the tagged moving object.

Claims

CLAINS

1. A revolutionary tracking system for use in the television and film industry. It uses a computer controlled camera, a reflective target that is fixed onto the photographic subject, and a light grid across a V.D.U. which reveals the position of the subject to the computer, on which information it can then act. The tracking system enables a computer to lock onto, and keep in the centre of the screen, a moving subject being filmed. The system gives a computers eye view of the screen being filmed by super imposing its own view of what it sees on top of the images being picked up by the camera.

2. The tracking system mentioned in 1. is applicable anywhere provided a reflective target can be fixed to the subject eg. wildlife, athletes, concert performers, film actors, film props, microphones used by television reporters.

3. When filming athletes mentioned in 2. in an athletics stadium, the tracking system will be used thus: the camera in my system will be mounted on a camera mount with which it has very limited angular movement. The mounting will travel up and down a ten foot tall vertical pole which in turn will travel along a rail laid along the outer perimeter of the athletics track. The camera will travel on electric linear motors controlled by the computer in my system. The picture from my camera will be relayed by radiowave to the computer V.D.U. Each athlete on the track will wear a different coloured reflective target on his head and be tracked by a camera.