Associative object tracking systems and methods

Inventors

DeAngelis, Douglas J. • Evansen, Edward G. • Reilly, Gerard M.

Assignees

Catapult Sports Inc

Abstract

Systems and methods track a first object when continuous tracking information for the first object is not available. The systems and methods detect when the tracking information for the first object is not available. A last time of a last determined location of the first object is determined and a second object closest to the last determined location at the last time is determined. The location of the first object is associated with a location of the second object if tracking information for the first object is not available.

Core Innovation

The disclosed invention provides associative object tracking for a sporting activity in which continuous location tracking information for a first tracking tag associated with a first object becomes not available. Within a tracking apparatus, the method determines when the continuous location tracking information for the first tracking tag is not available for a maximum track fail period and identifies a second tracking tag associated with a second object that is proximate to a last determined location of the first tracking tag.

After identifying the second tracking tag, the method associates the first object with the second object and tracks the first object by substituting a location of the first tracking tag with a current location of the second tracking tag. This substitution continues until tracking information for the first tracking tag is available for a minimum re-track period, thereby maintaining location tracking continuity when the first tag’s continuous location tracking information is unavailable.

A related aspect operates in real time by receiving continuous location tracking information from a first tag and from a plurality of additional tags within a predetermined area, while the tracking apparatus is separated from the objects. The method updates current locations for the first object and additional objects based on the received continuous location tracking information, determines distances at a last time when tracking was available, selects a closest additional object, and tracks the first object by substituting its location with the current location of the selected closest additional object until tracking is available again for a minimum re-track period.

Claims Coverage

The document provides two independent claim methods. Across these claims, the inventive features center on determining unavailability of continuous location tracking for a first tag/object, selecting a second/closest proximate object based on predetermined scenarios or distances at a last available time, and maintaining tracking continuity by substituting the first object location with another object’s current location until tracking resumes for a minimum re-track period.

Across both independent claims, the core coverage is associative tracking continuity: declare a maximum track fail period during which the first tag’s continuous location tracking information is not available, select an associated second/closest object using proximity at a last determined time, and continue tracking by substituting the first object location with the selected object’s current location until minimum re-track period tracking is again available.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications