Imaging system and method including multiple, sequentially exposed image sensors

Abstract

An imaging system and method are provided that include one or more image sensors, a light source for illuminating the field(s) of view of the image sensor(s), a control system for directing operation of the light source and the image sensor(s) in order to capture image(s) of a ball and an image processor for analyzing the image(s) of the ball to determine at least one parameter associated with movement of the ball through the field(s) of view of the image sensor(s). An imaging system and method of one aspect are capable of determining a plurality of parameters associated with movement of a ball based upon single exposure images captured by a plurality of image, while an imaging system and method of another aspect include an accelerometer and are capable of automatically compensating for changes in orientation of an image sensor from a predefined orientation.

1 . An imaging system comprising: 
 a plurality of image sensors spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance and having respective fields of view;    a light source for illuminating at least portions of the fields of view of the plurality of image sensors;    a control system configured to direct the light source to illuminate the respective fields of view of the image sensors and also configured to direct the image sensors to capture images of a ball at different times; and    an image processor for analyzing the images of the ball in order to determine at least one parameter associated with movement of the ball through the respective fields of view of the image sensors.    
   
   
       2 . An imaging system according to  claim 1  wherein the plurality of image sensors comprises first and second image sensors, wherein the control system is configured to direct the light source to illuminate the field of view of the first image sensor and also configured to direct the first image sensor to capture an image of the ball at a first time, and wherein the control system is further configured to direct the light source to illuminate the field of view of the second image sensor and also configured to direct the second image sensor to capture an image of the ball at a second time, the second time being separated timewise from the first time by a predefined time interval.  
   
   
       3 . An imaging system according to  claim 1  wherein the control system is configured to direct the image sensors to capture single exposure images of the ball.  
   
   
       4 . An imaging system according to  claim 1  wherein the plurality of image sensors have different respective fields of view.  
   
   
       5 . An imaging system according to  claim 4  wherein the plurality of image sensors have respective image planes, and wherein the plurality of image sensors are positioned such that reference vectors normal to the respective image planes of the plurality of image sensors are parallel to one another.  
   
   
       6 . An imaging system according to  claim 1  wherein the image processor is configured to take into account the predetermined distance by which the image sensors are spaced apart in order to determine at least one parameter associated with movement of the ball through the respective fields of view of the image sensors.  
   
   
       7 . An imaging system according to  claim 1  wherein the light source comprises an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs).  
   
   
       8 . An imaging system according to  claim 1  further comprising a trigger mechanism for providing a trigger signal to the control system for initiating actuation of the light source.  
   
   
       9 . An imaging system comprising: 
 an image sensor having a predefined field of view;    a light source for illuminating at least a portion of the field of view of the image sensor;    an accelerometer for providing a signal indicative of orientation of the image sensor;    a control system configured to direct the light source to illuminate the field of view of the image sensor and also configured to direct the image sensor to capture an image of a ball while the field of view of the image sensor is illuminated; and    an image processor for analyzing the image of the ball while taking into account the orientation of the image sensor that is automatically provided by the accelerometer without manual input in order to determine at least one parameter associated with movement of the ball.    
   
   
       10 . An imaging system according to  claim 9  wherein the image processor is configured to compensate for the orientation of the image sensor based on the signal provided by the accelerometer in order to determine an angle of flight associated with movement of the ball.  
   
   
       11 . An imaging system according to  claim 10  wherein the image processor is configured to compensate for the orientation of the image sensor based on the signal provided by the accelerometer in order to determine a launch angle of the ball.  
   
   
       12 . An imaging system according to  claim 9  which is a portable, battery-powered unit.  
   
   
       13 . An imaging system according to  claim 9  wherein the image sensor comprises a plurality of image sensors spaced apart from one another by a predefined distance, and wherein the control system is configured to direct the image sensors to capture images of a ball at different times.  
   
   
       14 . A method comprising: 
 providing a plurality of image sensors spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance and having respective fields of view;    illuminating at least portions of the fields of view of the plurality of image sensors;    capturing images of a ball at different times with the image sensors while the respective fields of view of the image sensors are illuminated; and    analyzing the images of the ball in order to determine at least one parameter associated with movement of the ball through the respective fields of view of the image sensors.    
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 14  wherein providing the plurality of image sensors comprises providing first and second image sensors, wherein illuminating at least portions of the fields of view of the plurality of image sensors and capturing images of the ball at different times comprise: 
 illuminating the field of view of the first image sensor and capturing an image of the ball at a first time, and    illuminating the field of view of the second image sensor and capturing an image of the ball at a second time, the second time being separated timewise from the first time by a predefined time interval.    
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 14  wherein capturing images of the ball at different times comprises capturing single exposure images of the ball.  
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 14  wherein providing the plurality of image sensors comprises providing the plurality of image sensors having different respective fields of view.  
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 17  wherein the plurality of image sensors have respective image planes, and wherein the plurality of image sensors are positioned such that reference vectors normal to the respective image planes of the plurality of image sensors are parallel to one another.  
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 14  further comprising providing a trigger signal to initiate illumination of at least portions of the fields of view of the plurality of image sensors and capture of images of the ball at different times.  
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 14  wherein analyzing the images of the ball in order to determine at least one parameter associated with movement of the ball through the respective fields of view of the image sensors comprises taking into account the predetermined distance by which the image sensors are spaced apart from one another.