Free kick distance projecting device

Abstract

A display device for displaying a marking in the form of a distance to be kept between game equipment, in particular a football, and a participant on a playing field of a sports facility, includes a display device for projecting light beams representing the marking onto the playing field. The projected light beams display the distance to be kept, and can be projected at least in sections in the shape of a circle, for example at a distance of 9.15 m, around the game equipment on the playing field. The display device is jointly movable with a transport device that is movable above the sports facility.

Claims

1. A display device for displaying a distance marking on a playing field, the distance marking indicating a distance from an item of game equipment, said display device comprising: a projecting device for projecting light beams representing the distance marking onto the playing field; a transport device movable above the playing field, said projecting device being jointly movable with said transport device; a detection device configured to detect a location of the item of game equipment and generate a position signal based on a detected location of the item of game equipment; and a display control device having a movement mode for controlling said transport device to move said projecting device into position based on the position signal received from said detection device, and having a display mode for controlling said projecting device to project the light beams onto the playing field to display the distance marking on the playing field relative to the item of game equipment based on the position signal received from said detection device.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein said projecting device is configured to project the light beams to form the distance marking in the shape of at least a portion of a circle around the item of game equipment on the playing field.

3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein said projecting device is configured to project the light beams to form the distance marking to be a distance of 9.15 m from the item of game equipment.

4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein said detection device includes a position transmitter and a receiver.

5. The display device according to claim 4, wherein said position transmitter is on a mobile hand-held remote control unit.

6. The display device according to claim 4, wherein said position transmitter is to be attached to the item of game equipment.

7. The display device according to claim 1, wherein said detection device includes a game equipment identification system configured to scan the playing field to detect the location of the item of game equipment, the game equipment identification system including a detection camera.

8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein said projecting device is detachably fastened to said transport device.

9. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising a camera for filming a sports match on the playing field, said camera being detachably fastened to said transport device, and said camera being jointly movable with said projecting device and said transport device.

10. The display device according to claim 9, further comprising a camera system control device for controlling said camera, and said display control device including an interface for communicating with said camera system control device.

11. The display device according to claim 10, wherein said camera system control device has a recording mode for controlling filming effected by said camera and for controlling a movement of said camera relative to said transport device, and has a movement mode for controlling a movement of said transport device.

12. The display device according to claim 9, wherein said transport device comprises: a carrier device for holding said camera; a plurality of lines fastened to said carrier device; guide rollers for guiding said lines, said guide rollers being fastened above the playing field; and a drive device for pulling the lines.

13. The display device according to claim 1, wherein said detection device is further configured to determine at least one of (i) a distance between said projecting device and the item of game equipment, and (ii) a distance between said projecting device and the playing field.

14. The display device according to claim 1, wherein said projecting device is configured to project the light beams to form the distance marking to be an adjustable distance from the item of game equipment.

15. The display device according to claim 1, wherein said projecting device is configured to project the light beams to form the distance marking to be a predetermined distance from the item of game equipment, the predetermined distance being stored in a memory of said display control device.

16. The display device according to claim 1, wherein said detection device includes a receiver mounted to said transport device, and a position transmitter on a mobile hand-held remote control unit for transmitting the position signal to said receiver.

17. The display device according to claim 16, wherein only said mobile hand-held remote control unit is able to detect the location of the item of game equipment on the playing field.

18. The display device according to claim 16, wherein said mobile hand-held remote control has a button configured to be pushed by an operator while said mobile hand-held remote control is held against the item of game equipment such that a position of said mobile 6 hand-held remote control transmitted to said detection device corresponds to the location of the item of game equipment.

19. The display device according to claim 16, wherein said mobile hand-held remote control is configured to activate the display mode and the movement mode of said display control device, wherein when said mobile hand-held remote control activates the display mode and the movement mode, a movement of said transport device is controlled only by said mobile hand-held remote control.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further details and advantages of the present invention are described more fully hereinafter by means of the specific description with reference to the embodiment illustrated in the single drawing:

(2) FIG. 1 schematically shows a sports facility 2 with a device 1 for displaying a marking A on a playing field 22 of the sports facility 2. Concretely, a sports facility 2 in the form of a football stadium with a stadium roof 11 is illustrated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(3) As increasingly used in recent years in large stadiums, also in FIG. 1 a flying camera system 21 is schematically illustrated. This camera system 21 comprises a camera 7 which in turn is spatially movable by a transport device 8 above the playing field 22. The transport device 8 substantially comprises the carrier device 9 for the camera 7, at least three, preferably at least four, ropes 10 mounted to the carrier device 9 and the drive devices 13 (e.g., in the form of motor-driven rope pulleys) for the ropes 10. These drive devices 10 can be arranged principally also on the stadium roof 11. Preferably, however, they are placed somewhere on the side of the playing field 22 and the ropes 10 are guided via guide rollers 12. Concretely, each guide roller 12 can be mounted to the stadium roof 11 via a holding device 19. Of course, posts separate from the stadium roof 11 can also be provided for holding the guide rollers 12.

(4) A per se known camera system control device 6 can be used for the control of this camera system 21. It can be stored, for example, as a corresponding program on a computer. This computer then serves as an operating unit for the camera system 21. Preferably the camera system 21 is operated by staff member who is subordinated to a football broadcasting director. The camera system control device 6 comprises logical components in the form of operation modes. Such a mode is the recording mode M.sub.F in which the movements of the camera 7 relative to the transport device 8 and the camera-specific functions (zooming, focusing, etc.) are controlled. Corresponding camera control signals 20.sub.F are emitted from the camera system control device 6 to the camera 7 or to a drive device (not shown) which moves the camera 7 relative to the carrier device 9. Moreover, a movement mode M.sub.B is a logical part of the camera system control device 6, and in the movement mode M.sub.B, the spatial movement of the camera 7 by the transport device 8 above the playing field 22 of the sports facility 2 is controlled. Corresponding camera drive signals 20.sub.B are emitted by the camera system control device 6 to the drive devices 13. For the spatial movement, a three-dimensional coordinate system representing the space above the playing field 22 is stored in the camera system control device 6.

(5) According to the invention, a projecting device 3 is jointly movable with the transport device 8 above the playing field 22. Preferably, this projecting device 3 is detachably fastened to the transport device 8. In order to enable a retrofitting of this projecting device 3 on an existing transport device 8 (or on an existing camera system 21) the device 1 comprises a display control device 4 together with an interface 5 to the camera system control device 6. Light beams L or laser beams can be projected to the surface of the playing field 22 by the display device 3. Concretely, these light beams L project a circle or a part of a circle on the playing field 22, which circle indicates a marking A formed at a distance about game equipment 15 (e.g., a football). This distance in this example is 9.15 m and indicates how near to the game equipment 15 an opposing participant is allowed to be during a free kick. During a football match, this new system can be used as follows:

(6) Before the football matchif the projecting device 3 is retrofittedthe projecting device 3 is mounted detachably to the camera system 21, preferably to the carrier device 9 of the transport device 8 of the camera 7. Moreover, the display control device 4 is signally connected to the camera system control device 6 via the interface 5.

(7) If the projecting device 3 is already a part of the camera system 21 and is not retrofitted, the display control device 4 can immediately be integrated in the camera system control device 6. Thus, the control devices 4 and 6 form a logical control unit. However, there is still an internal mathematical-logical interface 5 between the display control device 4 and the camera system control device 6 in order to enable a linkage and a data transfer (position date of the camera system 21 in the coordinate system) especially during the display mode M.sub.A.

(8) Independent of whether the projecting device 3 is retrofitted, the projecting device 3 is normally inactive during the football match on the playing field 22. The projecting device 3, however, is always moving together with the camera system 21. The spatial movement of the camera 7 is carried out by the transport device 8. This movement is controlled by the movement mode M.sub.B of the camera system control device 6. In principle, this movement mode M.sub.B can also be part of the display control device 4, which is indicated by the dotted line. In the movement mode M.sub.B, corresponding camera drive signals 20.sub.B are emitted to the drive devices 13 of the transport device 8. During the football match, filming with camera 7 is controlled by the recording mode M.sub.F of the camera system control device 6. Its operation is primarily to behoove a staff member of the television broadcaster.

(9) If now a free kick is given by the referee R during the football match, the projecting device 3 is especially used in cases when the free kick is in the vicinity of the goal. For that reason, this projecting device 3 is switch active via a remote control 17. This can be effected by a person who is specifically assigned for this. The easiest solution is that the referee R itself carries the remote control 17 and switches the display device 3 active, i.e., switches the projecting device 3 into the display mode M.sub.A.

(10) As of this moment, the display control device 4 signally connected (for example via radio) with the remote control 17 makes all authorizations for the movement mode M.sub.B. This means that the movement mode M.sub.B of the transport device 8 is now executed depending the display mode M.sub.A. Firstly, a position signal can be emitted to a receiver by a position transmitter 18 of the remote control 17 with the activation of the display mode M.sub.A, whereby the transport device 8 in the movement mode M.sub.B is moved depending on this first position signal in the direction of the referee R. Thereby, a rough-positioning of the display device 3 in the vicinity of the referee R and, thus, in the area of the free kick to be executed is reached. This prevents excessively long interruptions of the match.

(11) Next, in the display mode M.sub.A, the detection device 14 for detecting the position P.sub.15 of the game equipment 15 on the sports facility 2 is activated. There are several embodiments, wherein three examples are explained in the following.

(12) According to a first variant, a position transmitter 18 can be arranged in or on (attached to) the game equipment 15, which position transmitter 18 together with the corresponding receiver 40 forms the detection device 14. The data of the position P.sub.15 of the position transmitter 18 are then transmitted from the detection device 14 to the display control device 4.

(13) A second variant provides that the detection device 14 comprises a game equipment identification system 30 which, for example, via a detection camera 31 scans the surface of the sports facility 2 for the game equipment 15. For that reason, the detection device 14 can be mounted to the transport device 8 or can be placed, however, also elsewhere in the stadium. As soon as the detection device 14 has localized the game equipment 15, its position P.sub.15 is transmitted to the display control device 4.

(14) According to a third and preferred variant, a position transmitter 18 is arranged in or on the mobile hand-held remote control 17 which transmits its position P.sub.17 to the receiver 40. The position transmitter 18 and the receiver 40 together form the detection device 14. Also here, the receiver 40 can preferably be arranged on the transport device 8. In order to not only detect the position P.sub.17 of the remote control 17 but also the position P.sub.15 of the game equipment 15, the referee R presses a corresponding button (game equipment position button) 35 of the remote control 17 in the moment when this remote control 17 is located on the game equipment 15. Thereby, the referee R marks the position P.sub.15 of the game equipment 15 via the remote control 17. Thus, the detection device 14 simultaneously detects the position P.sub.15 of the game equipment 15 from the position P.sub.17 of the remote control 17 and transmits a corresponding signal to the display control device 4.

(15) As now the position P.sub.15 of the game equipment is known by the display control device 4, the movement mode M.sub.B is (again) activated. In this movement mode M.sub.B, the transport device 8 is moved depending on the detected position P.sub.15 of the game equipment 15. Preferably, the transport device 8 and especially the display device 4 is moved as exactly as possible to a coordinate system position vertically above the game equipment 15.

(16) In order to subsequently project the marking A with the correct distance around the game equipment 15 on the playing field 22, again two variants are possible.

(17) According to a first variant, the distance D.sub.15 between the projecting device 3 and the game equipment 15 and/or the distance D.sub.2 between the projecting device 3 and the playing field 22 are/is initially determined. This can be effected, for example, via a distance sensor which is mounted in or on the display device 3 or by calculating the distance between the display device 3 and the position P.sub.15 of the game equipment marked by the referee R. Then, the emitting angle of the light beams L is calculated based on the measured or calculated distance D.sub.15 and/or the measured distance D.sub.2. For that reason an appropriate algorithmbased on the set distance (here, 9.15 m) stored in the memory 16is stored in the display control device 4 so that by radiating the light beams L in the calculated emitting angle a circle with the correct circle radius of 9.15 m is projected around the game equipment 15 on the playing field 22.

(18) Preferably, however, a second variant is provided according to which the emitting angle is set or pre-programmed one-time. As soon as the display control device 4 receives the signal of the position P.sub.15 or the game equipment 15, the projecting device 3 is moved to a preset distance exactly vertically above the game equipment 15. This means, each time the display mode M.sub.A is activated, the projecting device 3 is always moved to the same position relative to the game equipment 15. Hence, the emitting angle of the light beams L must always be the same, and a one-time determination of the emitting angle is sufficient to always project the circle with the correct circle radius of 9.15 m around the game equipment 15 on the playing field 22.

(19) Subsequently, in order to actually project the marking A on the playing field 22, an appropriate signal 20.sub.A is transmitted from the display control device 4 to the projecting device 3 which thereupon emits the light beams L.

(20) If now the marking A is projected on the playing field 22, the participants are encouraged to keep the displayed distance to the game equipment 15. If this is not happening in time or in a sufficient extent, the referee R can penalize the player for example with a yellow card. In order to not interrupt the match for too long a time, an additional aid for the referee R can be provided by projecting a countdown of, for example, 5 seconds on the playing field 22 directly in front of the wall via the display device 3. Thus, each participant can recognize how long he still has time to achieve the projected distance.

(21) In order to prevent that the game equipment 15 is removed from the position P.sub.15 after determining the position P.sub.15, a small point of light can be projected by the projecting device 3 onto the game equipment 15 or a small circle or pitch circle can be projected by the display device 3 directly around the game equipment 15 on the playing field 22.

(22) As soon as all participants have reached the correct position, the referee can again continue the match by a blow of his whistle. With the first movement of the game equipment 15 by the team in ball possession, the opposing participants are also allowed to come nearer to the game equipment 15. With this continuation of the normal match, the display mode M.sub.A can also be deactivated. This can be effected by the referee R itself. However, as the referee R has again to concentrate on the match after the free kick, it is preferably provided that another person deactivates the display mode M.sub.A, for example, via a second remote control 17. With the deactivation of the display mode M.sub.A the broadcast director has regained control over the movement mode M.sub.B. During the display mode M.sub.A the broadcast director, however, had at least the control over the recording mode M.sub.F of the camera 7.

(23) The remote control 17 can be formed arbitrary. For the basic functionality, there should be at least a power button and a position button. With the power button the display mode M.sub.A is activated. With the position button the position P.sub.15 of the game equipment 15 is marked as described above. Also, a switch-off button can be provided. A display screen installed on the remote control 17 is also helpful. The progress or the current status of the display mode M.sub.A can be visible via this display screen. For example, a signale.g., by a blinking or by vibrationcan be outputted by the remote control 17. This signal indicates for the referee R that the marking A is projected correctly on the playing field 22. In addition, a countdown button can be provided as well.

(24) Thus, with the present invention, a possibility is created to organize the match in the case of a free kick in a simple manner fairer and in particular faster without the necessity of providing complex additional display devices around the playing field and without limiting the decision-making power of the referee. Rather, according to the invention, the transport device of flying camera systems anyway often used in stadiums function as movable carriers for a free kick distance projecting device (=display device) above the playing field.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(25) 1 device 2 sports facility anlage 3 display device 4 display control device 5 interface 6 camera system control device 7 camera 8 transport device 9 carrier device 10 ropes 11 stadium roof 12 guide rollers 13 drive devices 14 detection device 15 game equipment (football) 16 memory 17 remote control 18 position transmitter 19 holding device 20 signal 21 camera system A marking L light beams M.sub.A display mode M.sub.B movement mode M.sub.F recording mode P.sub.15 position of the game equipment P.sub.17 position of the remote control D.sub.2 distance to the playing field D.sub.15 distance to the game equipment R referee emitting angle