Mobile Image Capture System

Abstract

A mobile image capture system, a system comprising: a sensing unit for attaching to a vehicle, the sensing unit having a camera constructed and arranged to view a participant on the vehicle, the camera capturing at least one image; and processing electronics for storing data representing the captured at least one image or for relaying data representing the captured at least one image to a computer or a network.

1 . A mobile data capture system comprising:
 a plurality of sensing units comprising at least a first sensing unit and a second sensing unit, wherein each of the first sensing unit and the second sensing unit comprises at least one sensor that, in operation, generates sensor data based on detected motion of a user while the sensing unit is attached to one of the user or equipment associated with the user;   a camera that is attached to one of the user or equipment associated with the user and that, in operation, captures a plurality of images of the user while the at least one sensor generates the sensor data; and   processing electronics that, in operation:
 receive and store first sensor data from the first sensing unit, second sensor data from the second sensing unit, and image data from the camera; and 
 correlate at least a first image of the plurality of images to a first performance metric and at least a second image of the plurality of images to a second performance metric, wherein the first performance metric is based on the first sensor data and the second performance metric is based on the second sensor data. 
   
     
     
         2 . The mobile data capture system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of sensing units communicates via spread spectrum technology. 
     
     
         3 . The mobile data capture system of  claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of sensing units communicates via a different repeat pattern. 
     
     
         4 . The mobile data capture system of  claim 1 , wherein the first performance metric and the second performance metric are the same metric. 
     
     
         5 . The mobile data capture system of  claim 1  wherein the first performance metric is airtime. 
     
     
         6 . The mobile data capture system of  claim 1  wherein the second performance metric is G-force. 
     
     
         7 . The mobile data capture system of  claim 1  wherein one of the first performance metric or the second performance metric is drop distance. 
     
     
         8 . The mobile data capture system of  claim 1  wherein:
 each of the first sensing unit and the second sensing unit further comprise an interface for transmitting at least one of the sensor data and the data representing the plurality of images to a computer via a network. 
 
     
     
         9 . The mobile data capture system of  claim 8  further comprising:
 an antenna and relay electronics for transferring at least one of the sensor data and the data representing the plurality of images from each of the plurality of sensing units to the to the computer in real-time. 
 
     
     
         10 . The mobile data capture system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the processing electronics apply a time stamp to each of the plurality of images based upon a common time reference. 
 
     
     
         11 . A method of correlating image data with performance metrics comprising:
 generating first sensor data using a first sensor unit based on detected motion of a user while the first sensing unit is attached to one of the user or equipment used by the user;   generating second sensor data using a second sensor unit based on detected motion of the user while the second sensing unit is attached to one of the user or equipment used by the user;   capturing a first plurality of images of the user using at least one camera during the detected motion of the user and while the at least one camera is attached to one of the user or the equipment used by the user;   receiving and storing the first sensor data, the second sensor data, and image data representing the first plurality of images by processing electronics;   determining, using the processing electronics, a first performance metric based on the first sensor data and a second performance metric based on the second sensor data; and   correlating at least one of the first plurality of images to at least one of the first performance metric or the second performance metric using the processing electronics.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first performance metric and the second performance metric is airtime. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one of the first performance metric and the second performance metric is G-force. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first performance metric and the second performance metric is drop distance. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 transmitting at least one of the first sensor data, the second sensor data, and the data representing the first plurality of images to a computer via a network.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 transferring at least one of the first sensor data, the second sensor data, and the data representing the first plurality of images to the computer in real-time using an antenna and relay electronics.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 marking, first sensor data, the second sensor data, and image data with information identifying the user.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 applying a time stamp to each of the first plurality of images based upon a common time reference using the processing electronics.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 receiving, at a computing device, video captured by an array of cameras, each located along an event area;   identifying, by the computing device, a user location based on the first sensing unit or the second sensing unit; and   correlating, by the computing device, video recorded by the array of cameras with the user location.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the equipment used by the user comprises one of a snowboard, a motor vehicle, or a rollerblade.