Apparatus and system for automatic collection and delivery of spherical game elements

Abstract

A collection apparatus including an autonomous power supply means and an image acquisition means for acquiring image sequences of at least one area of surveillance is disclosed. The collection apparatus may further include control means connected to the image acquisition means for receiving and processing the acquired sequences of images, to detect the presence and position of said game elements, and to send a control command to move the collection apparatus to collect a detected spherical game element. The collection apparatus also includes interaction means for interacting with a player to deliver a previously collected spherical game element to the player and a delivery device controlled by the control means to perform the delivery. An automatic collection system is also disclosed that uses two collection apparatuses, operating in a complementary and/or synchronized way to collect and deliver a spherical element to a player, on request by the player.

Claims

1. A system for the automatic collection and controlled individual delivery of spherical game elements in a surveillance area having a gaming area, the system comprising: an opto-electric detection and acquisition device adapted to acquire image sequences or detect data about the surveillance area; a first movable automatic spherical game element collection apparatus; a second movable automatic spherical game element collection apparatus in communication with the first movable automatic spherical game element collection apparatus; and first control means for analyzing and processing said image sequences or data to identify the presence of at least one spherical game element in said surveillance area and for sending control commands to one or both of the first and second movable automatic spherical game element collection apparatuses so that the apparatuses operate in one or both of a complimentary and synchronous manner to collect the one or more spherical game elements, wherein each of said first and second movable automatic spherical game element collection apparatuses comprises: an autonomous power supply means; image acquisition device for acquiring image sequences of at least one area of surveillance; second control means connected to the image acquisition device for receiving the acquired sequences of images, for processing at least part of the sequences of images to detect the presence and position of at least one spherical game element in the surveillance area, for sending a control command to move the apparatus to the position of said at least one detected spherical game element, and for instructing the apparatus to collect the detected spherical game element; interaction means for interacting with a player to perform a controlled and individual delivery of a previously collected spherical game element to said player; and a delivery device controlled by said control means to perform said controlled and individual delivery of a previously collected spherical game element to a said player.

2. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said image acquisition device of said first and second movable automatic spherical game element collection apparatuses comprise at least one image acquisition device selected from the group consisting of a CCD camera and a video camera, and wherein the first and second movable automatic spherical game element collection apparatuses are arranged to cover different areas of the gaming area in a complimentary manner.

3. A system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said opto-electric detection and acquisition device comprises a fixed camera directed at the gaming area communicating visual information collected thereby to the first control means, wherein said image acquisition device of the first and second movable automatic spherical game element collection apparatuses include at least one mobile camera and communicate visual information therefrom to said second control means, and wherein one of said at least one mobile camera is rotatable and programmed to acquire player movements.

4. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first control means includes a first electronic system separate from the spherical game element collection apparatuses and the second control means include a second electronic system carried by one of said apparatuses, and wherein the first electronic system and the second electronic system are communicably interrelated via wireless communication.

5. A system as set forth in claim 4, wherein at least one of said electronic systems includes a memory where historical data concerning the operation of the system as a whole are registered, including images and statistical information.

6. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said interaction means including a recognition system and an audio system.

7. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said recognition system includes a recognizing device for recognizing and interpreting user commands selected from the group consisting of: speech, gestures or a combination thereof, and further wherein said audio system selectively emit sounds and phrases selectable by means of said control means based on the operating status of the apparatus.

8. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said delivery means comprises a throwing or launching element for throwing or launching the spherical game element.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a tennis court including references to the various components necessary to implement a basic version of the invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a possible apparatus for the automatic collection and delivery of spherical elements.

(3) Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(4) In FIG. 1 a tennis court 10 can be seen, with an intermediate separation net 12, a plurality of tennis balls 11 being associated to it, which are randomly distributed in the field of one of the two or more players 13. The invention proposes the utilization of a ball collection apparatus 14, preferably using two of such apparatuses 14 arranged in a lateral zone or next to each end or game surface which surrounds the court 10. These apparatuses 14 are remotely controlled (wireless communication, standard means) by one or more control units 15 (implemented in the present case by a local computer which can be a notebook). In an implementation of the invention the cited one or more control units 15 can be integrated in one or in both the apparatuses 14. The cited computer or computers receive information concerning the location of the balls 11 from a series of cameras 16 (their position can be diverse located in the sides and/or ends of the game surface or field or even hanging above the game area). A distinctive characteristic of the method disclosed in cited US co-pending patent 2013/0210556 and of the system of this disclosure is that said information about the balls 11, not only includes positional information, but it is indicative of the trajectory of the same (and thus it is indicative of a fall or impact zone of the ball 11), and even of the relationship between a part of the player and the ball during the impact of a racket with the same as well as prior to said impact. As soon as disclosed system can capture information indicating that a ball can go out of the game area, this information is sent to one of the apparatuses 14, which initiates a movement for its collection and subsequent delivery to the player 13.

(5) FIG. 2 shows a possible non-limiting implementation of a ball collection apparatus 14, in accordance with the principles of this disclosure, which in the present invention includes a device provided with driving wheels 17 and steering wheels 17a, provided with a front portion 18 intended to embrace and retain a ball, e.g., via suction through some slits, although other known systems can be used (pair of adjacent rotating rollers, rotating brushes, etc.).

(6) The apparatus 14 is equipped with at least one camera 16 provided for inspection of the game field or surface, of the player and his gestures or other people and their means of interaction, or others objects which are present at a given time in the game surface, and able to provide additional information to a control unit 15 about the location of the balls 11 to be collected.

(7) In the particular case in which the ball impacts the net and remains attached to it, the collection apparatus 14 have been provided to have some specific actuation means in that area going to the point where the ball is located and shaking the net or capturing the ball 11, e.g., with some means of grabs. In the case of the collection apparatus 14 represented in FIG. 2, as a mere and, hence, non-limitative example, the delivery of the ball 11 will occur by sliding on the game surface and by striking it utilizing a means of a throwing or launching element associated to the collection head.

(8) It has also been provided that the apparatus 14 can deliver the ball in an automatic way, from some prefixed positions, e.g., next to the player, following an established command from the player or it can also approach the player and only delivers the ball 11 following his request.

(9) The illustrated apparatus 14 or another similar one (with adaptations to transfer and manipulate the balls) can also deliver the ball 11 to an intermediate device (not illustrated) which either: 1) will launch it to realize at least one bounce before reaching the player; or 2) will throw it at a determined height according to the particular player characteristics in order to adapt to people with disabilities or physical deficiencies, calculating for this purpose the distance from the delivery point to the player of and receiving conditions. As indicated, the apparatus can provide a delivery approaching the player 13, and can provide him the ball in his hand 13.

(10) The apparatus 14 for the automatic collection of balls 11 is provided to move by means of its wheels 17, 17a, towards a zone wherein the control means 15, in connection with the image acquisition means have detected the presence of at least one ball 11, or that the zone is going to receive the impact or fall of a ball 11, given its trajectory. For this purpose the apparatus 14 is provided with some self-powered means such as a rechargeable battery.

(11) The apparatus 14 includes means to interact with a player (luminous, acoustic signals, etc. and to receive commands: acoustic sensors, camera 16, etc.) to perform a controlled delivery of the collected spherical object to a player, or to go to find a determined spherical object, in response to a command given by said player, by means of a vocal, gestural command, an electronic device or a combination of said means.

(12) In particular the means by which the apparatus 14 interacts with a user include a recognition system of the speech, of gesture commands, or of luminous or wave signals, able to interpret verbal or gestural commands, or signals emitted by said user as control commands and an audio system has been provided in the apparatus to emit sounds and/or phrases and/or music selectable by means of said control means depending on the operating status of the apparatus.

(13) In this way the apparatus 14 goes towards the ball 11 as quickly as possible, and, once it has reached the ball, proceeds to collect and place the ball 11 in a delivery or throwing position. At this point the player 13 can decide if he wants the apparatus 14 to pass him the ball 11 and to return to a determined point or base, or if he wants the apparatus 14 to go to its base and wait for a request for a ball 11, from the player 13.

(14) The apparatus 14 can be equipped with some brushes to perform auxiliary tasks such as cleaning an area of the court, as well as with elements to mark some lines delimiting the different zones of the game area.

(15) With reference to the system to implement the invention, the same is mainly characterized in that it includes at least two collection apparatuses 14 provided to operate in a complementary and/or synchronized way to perform said collection and/or delivery tasks, associated to said means of control each of said apparatuses 14 is provided to be able to perform a delivery of the collected ball 11 to the player, in response to a request thereof, said at least two apparatuses operating in a complementary and/or synchronized way during said collection and delivery tasks.

(16) Instead of providing the apparatus 14 to deliver a previously collected ball 11 to the player 13 in response to a request by said player 13, it has being provided that the player 13 can determine by means of a previously established command, the apparatus 14 to automatically operate delivering the balls 11, to the player 13, after their collection, e.g., from a predetermined launch point, as long as the player 13 does not establish for it to returned to a delivery of the ball on request.

(17) The provided collection apparatuses 14 integrate, as shown in FIG. 2, at least one image acquisition device, selected from a CCD camera, a video camera, or another image capturing device, known by itself, and because there is an intercommunication between said collection apparatuses which are at least two, to cover, in a complementary way different areas of the game surface or hidden areas for one of the two cameras, with the contribution of said control means.

(18) For a proper implementation of the described method the use of at least one fixed camera (not represented, since its position can be very different) which serves said game surface has also been provided, said control means 15 receiving visual information from said mobile cameras 16 fixed to the collection apparatuses 14 and from said fixed camera, which is at least one. In a preferred embodiment one or more additional rotating head cameras (not represented) have been also provided, intended to follow the player to acquire his movements, providing different angles and allowing the capture of images of different players on the court, or areas where the ball bounces, etc. Advantageously two such rotating head cameras, one for each player 13, will be used.

(19) The control means comprise a first electronic system (located in local control units 15) separate from the balls 11 collecting apparatus 14 and a second electronic system carried by said apparatus 14, both electronic systems communicating the one with the other by means of a wireless communication. As indicated, said control means could be integrated in an alternative embodiment, as a whole, in the collection apparatuses 14 themselves without the need for a separate local unit. Generally, at least one of said electronic systems will include a memory to register some historical data relative to the operation of the system as whole, including images and statistical information. In this way all the apparatuses 14 and all the vision devices (mobile and fixed cameras) are programmable and can dump all the statistical information and images of their activity.

(20) It has likewise been provided the invention system to be arranged as a portable set, integrating transport means of its components. The system can use previously installed cameras for its implementation in a tennis court, for transmission of the matches or training studies.

(21) A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.