WO2012027776A1

WO2012027776A1 - Camera system for installation in cricket stumps

Info

Publication number: WO2012027776A1
Application number: PCT/AU2011/001016
Authority: WO
Inventors: Don Williams
Original assignee: Don Williams
Priority date: 2010-09-01
Filing date: 2011-08-11
Publication date: 2012-03-08
Also published as: AU2011295619B2; GB201304420D0; GB2497044A; AU2011295619A1

Abstract

The invention provides a camera system for installation in a cricket wicket comprising stumps, the system including: at least two video cameras; at least two stumps each having a hollow configured to receive one of the at least two cameras and a stump opening on a pitch facing surface of the stump; an optical device positioned in each of the at least two stumps for directing light entering the stump opening towards the camera; a transmitter for transmitting data captured by the cameras to a remote receiver; and a processor for processing the data captured by the cameras to provide a three dimensional broadcast. Also provided is a method for providing a three dimensional broadcast of any action occurring on an elongate cricket pitch.

Description

CAMERA SYSTEM FOR INSTALLATION IN CRICKET STUMPS

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to cameras for installation in cricket stumps and cricket stumps incorporating such cameras to allow for the provision of three dimensional broadcasts from the perspective of the location of the cricket stumps during a cricket match.

Background to the Invention

Video cameras can be provided within sporting field fixtures to provide television viewers with an on field perspective of the match or game being broadcast. One such example is a "stumpcam" or "stump camera" designed to be positioned within a cricket stump at the batsman's end of the cricket pitch. Such cameras provide viewers with a unique and close up view of the action occurring on the cricket pitch, particularly when a batsman is bowled, thereby enhancing the viewer's experience of the cricket match.

Current arrangements provide only for two dimensional broadcasts. The viewing public is starting to appreciate and demand the benefits of three dimensional broadcasts.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a camera system for providing a three dimensional broadcast from the cricket pitch. Summary of the Invention

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera system for installation in a cricket wicket comprising stumps, the system including:

at least two video cameras;

at least two stumps each having a hollow configured to receive one of the at least two cameras and a stump opening on a pitch facing surface of the stump;

an optical device positioned in each of the at least two stumps to direct light entering the stump opening towards the camera;

a transmitter for transmitting data captured by the cameras to a remote receiver; and a processor for processing the data captured by the cameras to provide a three dimensional broadcast.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least two cameras are installed in adjacent stumps. The camera system may further include a mounting for supporting a camera and the associated optical device within the hollow, the mounting being rotatable about a central axis to turn the camera and the optical device within the hollow. The mounting may be rotated via a shaft attached to the camera which is driven by a motor. In one particular form of the invention, the motor is an electric motor operated via remote control.

In an embodiment, an optical axis of each camera is aligned in parallel with the optical axis of an adjacent camera. In an alternate embodiment, the optical axis of each camera is aligned such that it intersects the optical axis of an adjacent camera at a point of convergence.

The electric motor for rotating each mounting is preferably operable to align the optical axes of the camera to achieve a predetermined point of convergence of the optical axes.

In one form of the invention, each camera is positioned within the hollow such that a midpoint of the camera is offset from a midline of the stump so as to reduce the horizontal distance between the cameras.

In one embodiment, the data captured by the cameras is processed to achieve a virtual change in a horizontal distance between the at least two cameras.

Each camera may include a short focal length lens in order to provide a wide angle view of any action occurring on a pitch end in close proximity to the stumps in which the cameras are installed. Alternatively, each camera includes a long focal length lens in order to provide a view of any action occurring on a pitch end distal from the stumps in which the cameras are installed.

In a preferred form of the invention, each camera has an image sensor having a 1 /3 inch format. More preferably, each camera is a 1 /3 inch CCD video camera.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for providing a three dimensional broadcast of any action occurring on an elongate cricket pitch having two ends, a wicket comprising at least two stumps each having a hollow configured to receive a camera and a stump opening on a pitch facing surface of the stump being located at each end of the cricket pitch, the method including the following steps:

installing a camera in each of the two stumps;

directing light entering the stump opening towards the camera;

capturing image data from each stump location;

transmitting the data captured by each camera to a remote receiver; and processing the data to provide a three dimensional broadcast.

Brief Description of the Drawings

It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in greater detail by reference to the accompanying figures which facilitate understanding of the method according to this invention. The particularity of the figures and the related description is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the broad identification of the invention as given in the attached claims.

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the components involved in a three dimensional television broadcast.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a cricket pitch with a wicket comprising three cricket stumps located at opposed ends of the pitch.

Figures 3A and 3B are cross sectional views through a cricket stump in accordance with alternative embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the mounting for supporting a camera and the associated optical device within the hollow of a cricket stump.

Detailed Description

Referring firstly to Figure 1 , there is shown an arrangement for providing a three dimensional broadcast of a sporting event. Such arrangements include an image capture system 10 including two cameras 12. Each camera 12 captures images 14 specifically for the left and right eye of the viewer based on the relative locations of the cameras. A processor (not shown) combines the two images 14 into a single image frame and transmits the combined images to a digital HD encoder 16. The encoded images are broadcast for viewing through a broadcast device 20 configured for 3D broadcasts 22.

Referring now to Figure 2, a cricket wicket 24 is located at either end 26 of an elongate cricket pitch 28. Typically each wicket 24 consists of three stumps 30 hammered into the ground topped with two wooden bails 32. In accordance with the present invention, a camera system is configured for providing a three dimensional broadcast of any action occurring on the cricket pitch 28.

Referring now to Figures 3A and 3B, the camera system 34 includes at least two video cameras 36 to facilitate broadcast of three dimensional images. Each camera 36 captures image data specifically for the left eye or the right eye of the viewer based on the relative location of the camera. Each camera 36 is located within a stump 30, each stump having a hollow 38 configured to receive the camera. The stump 30 further includes an opening or aperture 40 on a pitch facing surface of the stump. An optical device 42 is provided to direct light entering the stump opening towards the camera 36. A transmitter 44 such as a microwave transmitter, transmits the data captured by the cameras 36 to a remote receiver. A processor (not shown) located remotely from the stump processes the image data to produce a three dimensional broadcast for viewing.

The cameras 36 may be installed in any of the stumps 30 comprising the wicket 24, provided each camera is installed in a different stump to provide a different perspective for image capture. However, in one particular embodiment, the two cameras 36 are installed in adjacent stumps. This configuration minimises the horizontal separation of the two cameras, otherwise referred to as the interocular distance (10D). In an alternative embodiment, the cameras may be installed in the off and leg stumps, for example to provide images of the distal end of the pitch, i.e. the opposite end of the pitch from where the cameras are installed. By increasing the interocular distance between the two cameras, an improved 3D effect can be provided for distant objects.

The cameras 36 used to produce a three dimensional broadcast may be aligned so that the optical axis of a first camera is parallel to the optical axis of the second camera.

Alternatively, the two cameras 36 and their associated optical devices 42 may be turned in slightly toward one another such that the optical axes of the two cameras intersect at some point referred to as the point of convergence (POC).

Each camera of the camera system 34 is fitted with a suitable lens 46. To configure the camera 36 to capture a wide angle view of any action occurring at the end of the pitch 28 which is in close proximity to the stumps 30, a short focal length lens 46 is used. For example, the lens 46 may be an ELMO pinhole lens or similar.

The camera system 34 includes an optical device or prism 42 positioned between the stump opening 40 which admits light into the stump hollow 38, and the camera 36. The optical device 42 directs the light entering the aperture or opening 40

towards the camera 36. The optical device 42 may be a roof prism or an amici prism or other optical device providing analogous function. That is, the optical device is of the type to reflect the incident light as a true image rather than a mirror image. This arrangement serves to reflect the light and direct the image through an angle, say 90°, into the camera lens 46.

Referring also to figure 4, a mounting 48 is provided within each stump 30 to support the camera 36 and its associated optical device 42 in the hollow 38. The mounting 48 is provided in the form of a cylindrical fitting having an open faced cavity 41 within which the optical device 42 is positioned. The open faced cavity 41 is aligned with the stump opening

40. The mounting or cylindrical fitting 48 is mounted on a thrust bearing 51 (see Figures 3A and 3B). An end of the mounting 48 positioned distal to the thrust bearing 51 has a circular recess 47 of suitable dimension to receive the head of the camera 36 which includes the camera lens 46. The camera 36 attaches to the mounting 48 by means of compatible threads present on the internal circumference of the recess 47 and the exterior of the head of the camera 36.

The mounting 48 is rotatable about a central longitudinal axis to enable the camera 36 and the optical device 42 to be rotated to change their attitude, i.e. to rotate the two cameras and their associated optical devices slightly such that the optical axes of the two cameras intersect at the point of convergence (POC). Rotation of the mounting 48 is achieved by a remotely operated motor 8 such as an electric digital servo motor, controlled by a digital radio receiver 49 which may for example receive 2.4 Gigahertz signals. The motor 8 is connected to the camera 36 via a drive shaft 50. The motor 8 and the camera 36 may be powered by a battery pack 52 other suitable means.

Before commencement of play, the motors 8 are remotely operable to align the optical axes of the cameras 36 such that they are either parallel or to achieve the desired point of convergence. That is, some general alignment will occur when the stumps 30 are hammered into the ground, but the remotely operable motors 8 achieve more precise alignment to provide an accurate camera alignment to facilitate a high quality broadcast. Moreover, after the wicket 24 is reset after being knocked over during the course of play, the motors 8 are remotely operable to realign the optical axes of the cameras 36 such that they are either parallel or to achieve the desired point of convergence.

In one embodiment of the present invention, two cameras 36 are installed in adjacent stumps 30 located at the batsman's end of the pitch 28 to provide a three dimensional broadcast of the action. The typical diameter of a cricket stump 30 is between 35 and 38 millimetres. A median diameter of 38 millimetres is assumed. If each camera 36 is positioned at the midline of the stump, then the horizontal distance or intraocular distance between the two cameras will be around 95.5 millimetres.

This interocular distance exceeds that which is accepted as the typical separation between two adult human eyes, i.e. 68 millimetres.

The interocular distance between the two cameras 36 installed in stumps 30 may be reduced by one of the following means to provide an approximation of a true stereo view as viewed by a pair of human eyes. The two cameras 36 may be positioned within the hollow such that a midpoint of the camera is offset from the midline of the stump (as shown in Figure 3B). This physically reduces the horizontal distance between the cameras by up to 10 millimetres, say if each camera is offset towards its adjacent camera by 5 millimetres. Additionally or alternatively, the processor may be caused to process the data so as to achieve a virtual reduction in a horizontal distance between the cameras.

It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a camera system for providing a high quality three dimensional broadcast of the action occurring on a cricket pitch. The three dimensional broadcast and also the capture of image data for action occurring at the opposing end of the pitch to where the cameras are located enhances the enjoyment of viewing a cricket match via television broadcast.

Future patent applications may be filed in Australia or overseas on the basis of or claiming priority from the present application. It is to be understood that the following provisional claims are provided by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of what may be claimed in any such future application. Features may be added to or omitted from the provisional claims at a later date so as to further define or redefine the invention or inventions.

Where the terms "comprise", "comprises" "comprised" or "comprising" are used in this specification (including the claims), they are to be interpreted as specifying the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components referred to, but not preclude the presence of one or more other feature, integer, step, component or group thereof. While the invention has been described in conjunction with a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many alternative, modifications and variations in light of the foregoing description are possible. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternative, modifications and variations as may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed.

Claims

The claims defining the present invention are as follows:

1 . A camera system for installation in a cricket wicket comprising stumps, the system including :

at least two video cameras;

an optical device positioned in each of the at least two stumps for directing light entering the stump opening towards the camera;

2. A camera system according to claim 1 , wherein the at least two cameras are installed in adjacent stumps.

3. A camera system according to claim 1 , further including a mounting for supporting a camera and the associated optical device within the hollow, the mounting being rotatable about a central axis to turn the camera and the optical device within the hollow.

4. A camera system according to claim 3, wherein the mounting is rotated via a shaft attached to the camera which is driven by a motor.

5. A camera system according to claim 4, wherein the motor is an electric motor operated via remote control.

6. A camera system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an optical axis of each camera is aligned in parallel with the optical axis of an adjacent camera.

7. A camera system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an optical axis of each camera is aligned such that it intersects the optical axis of an adjacent camera at a point of convergence.

8. A camera system according to claim 7, wherein the electric motor for rotating each mounting is operable to align the optical axes of the camera supported thereon to achieve a predetermined point of convergence of the optical axes.

9. A camera system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each camera is positioned within the hollow such that a midpoint of the camera is offset from a midline of the stump so as to reduce a horizontal distance between the cameras.

10. A camera system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the data captured by the cameras is processed to achieve a virtual change in a horizontal distance between the at least two cameras.

1 1. A camera system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein each camera includes a short focal length lens in order to provide a wide angle view of any action occurring on a pitch end in close proximity to the stumps in which the cameras are installed.

12. A camera system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein each camera includes a long focal length lens in order to provide a view of any action occurring on a pitch end distal from the stumps in which the cameras are installed.

13. A camera system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each camera has an image sensor having a 1 /3 inch format.

14. A camera system according to claim 13, wherein each camera is a 1/3 inch CCD video camera.

15. A method for providing a three dimensional broadcast of any action occurring on an elongate cricket pitch having two ends, a wicket comprising at least two stumps each having a hollow configured to receive a camera and a stump opening on a pitch facing surface of the stump being located at each end of the cricket pitch, the method including the following steps: installing a camera in each of the two stumps;

directing light entering the stump opening towards the camera;

capturing image data from each stump location;

16. A camera system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the embodiments shown in Figures 3 or 4.

17. A method for providing a three dimensional broadcast of any action occurring on a cricket pitch substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the embodiments shown in Figures 3 or 4.