Multimedia analysis system and method of use therefor

Abstract

A multimedia analysis system for capturing and comparing sports performances of a player is provided. The system includes at least one video camera for acquiring a plurality of sets of video data of player performances, with the location of the at least one video camera being substantially the same when acquiring each set of video data. The system also includes at least one storage device for storing the plurality of sets of video data, at least one processor for mixing at least two of the sets of video data, and at least one display device for displaying the at least two sets of mixed data. The processor substantially synchronizes and superimposes the at least two sets of video data to form an aggregate set of video data. A launch monitor may also be included for acquiring a plurality of sets of flight data of objects hit by the player.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of mixing data concerning sports performances of a player, the method comprising: 
 defining a first set of test conditions applied to the player;    acquiring a first set of video data on the player's performance at a first time, the first set of video data being acquired during the first set of test conditions;    storing the first sets of test conditions and video data;    defining a second set of test conditions applied to the player, the first and second sets of test conditions having at least one test condition in common;    acquiring a second set of video data on the player's performance at a second time, the second set of video data being acquired during the second set of test conditions;    storing the second sets of test conditions and video data;    mixing at least a portion of the first and second sets of video data to form a superimposed set; and    displaying the superimposed set.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second sets of video data each comprise a single video frame.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second sets of video data each comprise at least two video frames.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the superimposed sets of video data are substantially synchronized from a start time to a finish time.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second sets of video data are acquired using a video camera with a capture rate of at least about 250 frames per second.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the mixing of sets of video data occurs with a first percentage of the pixels of each frame selected from one of the first and second video data sets and a second percentage of the pixels of each frame selected from the other of the first and second video data sets.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the sum of the first and second percentages is one hundred.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first percentage is between about 20 percent and about 40 percent and the second percentage is between about 60 percent and about 80 percent.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising: 
 acquiring a first set of non-video data on the player's performance at the first time, the first set of non-video data being acquired during the first set of test conditions;    storing the first set of non-video data;    acquiring a second set of non-video data on the player's performance at the second time, the second set of non-video data being acquired during the second set of test conditions;    storing the second set of non-video data;    mixing at least a portion of the first and second sets of non-video data to form a non-video data superimposed set; and    displaying or playing at least a portion of the non-video data superimposed set.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the superimposed sets of non-video data are substantially synchronized from the start time to the finish time, and the superimposed sets of non-video data are substantially synchronized from the start time to the finish time with the superimposed sets of video data.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second sets of non-video data include at least one of audio data and launch monitor data.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second sets of video data are acquired using at least one analog or digital video camera, and the first and second sets of non-video data are acquired using at least one of a microphone and a launch monitor.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein each set of test conditions include at least one of the equipment of the player, the environmental conditions, and the personal characteristics of the player.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the mixing of video data includes using at least one key effect.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein each of the first and second sets of video data includes data from at least two video cameras.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein at least two video cameras are disposed about substantially the same axis.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein at least two video cameras are disposed about substantially the same plane.  
     
     
         18 . A method of overlaying data sets of sports performances of a player, the method comprising: 
 defining a plurality of test conditions applied to the player;    acquiring a plurality of sets of video data on the player's performance, each set of video data having at least one test condition in common;    storing the plurality of sets of test conditions and video data;    mixing at least a portion of at least two of the sets of video data to form a superimposed set; and    displaying the superimposed set.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 acquiring a plurality of sets of non-video data on the player's performance, each set of non-video data having at least one test condition in common; storing the plurality of sets of non-video data;    mixing at least a portion of at least two of the sets of non-video data to form a non-video data superimposed set; and    displaying or playing the non-video data superimposed set.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 synchronizing the plurality of sets of test conditions, video data, and non-video data.    
     
     
         21 . A multimedia analysis system for capturing and comparing sports performances of a player comprising: 
 at least one video camera for acquiring a plurality of sets of video data of player performances;    at least one storage device for storing the plurality of sets of video data;    at least one processor for mixing at least two of the sets of video data; and    at least one display device for displaying the at least two sets of mixed data, wherein the processor substantially synchronizes and superimposes the at least two sets of video data to form an aggregate set of video data.    
     
     
         22 . The multimedia analysis system of  claim 21 , wherein the location of the at least one video camera is substantially the same when acquiring each set of video data.  
     
     
         23 . The multimedia analysis system of  claim 22 , further comprising: 
 a launch monitor for acquiring a plurality of sets of flight data of objects hit by the player; and    at least one processor for mixing at least two of the sets of flight data,    wherein the at least one processor substantially synchronizes and superimposes the at least two sets of flight data to form an aggregate set of flight data, the aggregate set of flight data also being synchronized with the aggregate set of video data.    
     
     
         24 . The multimedia analysis system of  claim 23 , wherein the plurality of sets of video data are acquired by at least two video cameras that are disposed about substantially the same axis and aimed at the player.  
     
     
         25 . The multimedia analysis system of  claim 23 , wherein the plurality of sets of video data are acquired by at least two video cameras that are disposed about substantially the same plane and aimed at the player.