Research Presentations

• Development of ball trajectory visualization system for live baseball broadcasts and application to other sports
  Masaki TAKAHASHI,Toshie MISU,Mahito FUJII,Seiichi GOHSHI,Nobuyuki YAGI and Yoshihiro FUJITA↓summary

  summary

  We have developed a visualization system that uses object extraction and tracking technology to display baseball pitch trajectories in real time in live baseball broadcasts.The system tracks a ball object in the camera image by predicting its location in the next frame.The system is very easy to operate because it does not require the use of an additional camera or camera calibration. The system has been used in NHK's live baseball broadcasts for the past five years.In addition, a modified system with expanded functions has been used in live bowling and golf broadcasts.

• Image Composition System Using Multiple Mobile Robot Cameras
  Kazutoshi MUTOU,Hitoshi YANAGISAWA,Takao TSUDA and Seiki INOUE↓summary

  summary

  We developed an accurate image composition system using multiple mobile robot cameras for producing TV programs.This system makes natural and accurate CG compositions by keeping track of the positions of the robot cameras,and we developed a new camera position calibration method for this purpose.In this method,the origin point in the studio that serves as a reference for the CG positions is captured by the robot cameras,and the camera positions are then calibrated from parameters such as pan and tilt angle.It is not necessary to move all the cameras to the origin point in order to initialize them,and hence,calibrations can even be performed during a broadcast.