GB2274756A - Improved cricket stump incorporating a camera - Google Patents

Abstract

An improved in-stump camera device includes an outer sleeve 11 formed from a rigid material, preferably a plastics material, and an inner sleeve 22 carrying the internal components. Light enters an aperture in the stump and if reflected into the lens 17 by a prism 18. Video signals are transmitted via a microwave transmitter 19 and the whole device can be powered by a battery pack 13. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVED CRICKET STUMP INCORPORATING A CAMERA This invention relates to an elongate sporting accessory, in particular a cricket stump, incorporating a camera device for providing images from the perspective of the accessory or stumps position.

It is desirable, in order to increase the appeal to viewers of a cricket match, to provide a variety of views of play of the match. Due to the nature of the game, the critical views are often near the stumps, particularly of the batsman's end of the pitch. In-stump camera arrangements allow for a unique perspective on the game.

Current stump camera devices, such as the existing device used by the applicant, suffer from a number of practical disadvantages. The stump is a conventional stump hollowed out to allow the insertion of components. However, after a number of impacts, the wood tends to fracture and requires replacement.

Currently used devices use an angled mirror so as to provide a periscope-like view through an opening in the front of the stump. This has the disadvantage of laterally inverting the image, necessitating the use of complex processing to correct the image.

Currently used devices use two pack camera equipment with a lipstick sized optical pick-up head connected to a control unit approximately 150x150x75 mm via a 8mm diameter cable. This necessitates an electronics package being buried beneath the rear of the pitch. This complicates the process of positioning the camera, and means that permission to dig a hole for the package and cable must be obtained from the ground operators.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved stump camera arrangement.

According to one aspect the present invention provides an in-stump camera device, comprising an outer shell formed from a rigid material, an inner sleeve for carrying internal components, an optical device for refracting light directed at the surface of the shell substantially axially within the sleeve to a camera device, and a transmitter for transmitting signals corresponding to the camera device output to a remote receiver.

Preferably the device further includes a power supply.

Preferably the optical device is a prism and produces a laterally correct image, and most preferably is formed from a plastics material.

Preferably the outer shell is formed from a plastics material, and is surface treated so as to resemble wood.

Preferably the transmitter operates in the microwave spectrum.

Preferably the camera includes an autosensitivity control.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with particular reference to Figure 1, which is a schematic, sectional view through a preferred embodiment of the inventive device.

The outer dimensions of the device must, it will be appreciated, conform to the rules of cricket so as to be suitable for use. The device illustrated in Figure 1 preferably has a height of 686 mm from the base of a bottom flange 21 to the bottom of a bails cap 20.

By contrast to conventional in-stump camera devices, body 11 in the form of a rigid outer shell is formed from a resilient material, preferably a polycarbonate polymer. The outer surface may be painted or coated with a laminate so as to have the appearance of wood. This reduces, or eliminates the problem of stump breakage. A ground-engaging spike 12 and an inner sleeve 22 may be formed from any suitable material, for instance a polymer such as ralloy. The inner sleeve 22 suitably extends from the bottom of the bails cap 20 to a position just above the top of the base flange 21 and may be slidably removed so as to inspect and adjust internal components carried by the sleeve.

Bails cap 20 may be constructed from wood, so as to provide a conventional bails/bails cap interface, and minimise any intrusion into the game.

Battery pack 13 provides power for the devices in the stump, and is preferably a lithium-type unit. PCB 14 includes an on-off switch, battery connector, and spacer to correctly position it between battery pack 13 and camera connector 15. Connector 15 is linked to camera 16. This is preferably a self-adjusting device, such as a SONY XC-999P.

Light is admitted through a small aperture (not shown) in the sleeve and body into prism 18. This is preferably of a design which will direct the light down into lens 17, as a true image rather than a laterally inverted image as with mirror arrangements. Preferably, the prism is formed from a plastics material, so as to make it more robust. Such devices are available, for instance, as custom components from Fujinon Optical Co.

Lens 17 is preferably of ELMO pinhole or similar type.

An adapter is provided to connect the lens 17 and camera 16, which can be readily constructed as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

A microwave transmitter 19 transmits signals corresponding to images detected by the camera to a remotely located receiver. A suitable device is a MITEC nano-link, incorporating a buffer amplifier.

It will be apparent that in its preferred form the device is self-contained, requiring no hardwired external connection, which enables much improved ease of use, as it only needs to be placed into position and turned on.

Alternatively, however, the battery pack may be embedded in the ground, or an additional battery pack embedded in the ground.

It will be appreciated that the present invention may be modified within the scope of the general inventive concept. Although the invention is primarily directed to a cricket stump incorporating a camera device, it will be appreciated that the invention could find application in other sports which involve balls or other moving objects and which have elongate accessories intended to be in fixed positions. Examples of such elongate accessories are golf flag poles and goal posts.

Claims (10)

1. An in-stump camera device, comprising a rigid outer shell, an inner sleeve for carrying internal components including an optical device for refracting light directed at an opening in the surface of the shell substantially axially within the sleeve to a camera device, and a transmitter for transmitting signals corresponding to the camera device output to a remote receiver.

2. A device according to claim 1, which further includes a power supply.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, in which said optical device is a prism and produces a laterally correct image.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein said prism is formed from plastics material.

5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer shell is formed from a plastics material.

6. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer shell is surface treated so as to resemble wood.

7. A device according to any of the preceding claims, in which the inner sleeve is slidably removably positioned within the outer shell.

8. An in-stump camera device constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawing.

9. An elongate sporting accessory comprising an elongate rigid outer shell, an inner sleeve positioned within the outer shell for carrying internal components including an optical device for refracting light directed at an opening in the surface of the shell substantially axially within the sleeve to a camera device and a transmitter for transmitting signals corresponding to the camera device output to a remote receiver.

10. A sporting accessory according to claim 9, in which the inner sleeve is slidably removably positioned within the outer shell.