Method and system for use of transmitted location information in sporting events

Abstract

A method and system for accurately determining player position and movements, as well as movement of other objects during a sporting event. Transmissions from a transmitter attached to the moving object are used in conjunction with a plurality of receivers and a processor to precisely determine the object's location and movement. The produced location and movement data is usable to simulate play of the game, to determine play events or outcomes, and to allow modeling and other use of the data produced. In another variation, a camera, microphone, or other directional recorder is used with the location and movement data to track play. In an additional variation, data associated with the player or other moving object is used for such purposes to assist in identification of players and to ease broadcast commentary.

1 . A method for determining sporting event position information, the method comprising: 
 receiving transmission data from a sporting event transmitter; and    determining a position of the sporting event transmitter.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 producing a representation of sporting event play using the position transmission data.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 comparing the position transmission data to data for a sporting event playing area to determine the position of the sporting event transmitter relative to at least one known location in the playing area.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sporting event transmitter is attached to a moveable object having dimensions, the method further comprising: 
 interpolating locations of the dimensions of the moveable object using the position of the sporting event transmitter.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 receiving the position transmission data in a repository.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 receiving the sporting event playing space data in a repository.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sporting event transmitter transmits electromagnetic waves.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the position of the sporting event transmitter is determined by a plurality of receivers.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the position of the sporting event transmitter is determined by triangulation using the plurality of receivers.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 determining a play outcome using the compared position transmission data and sporting event playing space data.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 statistically analyzing the received position transmission data.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 providing an option to play a simulated sporting event using the statistically analyzed position transmission data.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sporting event transmitter is located on at least one selected from a group consisting of a player's equipment, a ball, a moveable field marker, and an official's equipment.  
   
   
       14 . A method for controlling a sporting event camera, the sporting event camera having an orientation, the method comprising: 
 receiving position transmission data from a sporting event transmitter, the sporting event transmitter having a position; and    varying the orientation of the sporting event camera to track the position of the sporting event transmitter.    
   
   
       15 . A method for receiving sporting event sound using a directional sound receiving device, the method comprising: 
 receiving position transmission data from a sporting event transmitter, the sporting event transmitter having a position; and    directing the directional sound receiving device to track the position of the sporting event transmitter.    
   
   
       16 . A method for identifying a moveable object in a sporting event, the method comprising: 
 receiving position transmission data from a sporting event transmitter attached to the moveable object, the sporting event transmitter transmitting position information and an associated identifier for the moveable object; and    communicating the associated identifier information for the moveable object.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein communicating the associated identifier information for the moveable object includes: 
 displaying the associated identifier information for the moveable object.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 using the communicated identifier information for the moveable object in a broadcast.    
   
   
       19 . A system for determining sporting event position information, the system comprising: 
 a sporting event transmitter;    a plurality of receivers for receiving information transmitted by the sporting event transmitter; and    a processor for determining a position of the sporting event transmitter using the information received by the plurality of receivers.    
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein a terminal houses the processor.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the terminal is selected from a group consisting of a personal computer, a minicomputer, a main frame computer, a microcomputer, and a telephone device.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the processor is coupled to a network.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the network is the Internet.  
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the processor is housed on a server.  
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising a repository coupled to the processor.  
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 22 , further comprising a user terminal coupled to the network.  
   
   
       27 . A system for determining sporting event position information, the system comprising: