鹰眼系统是在板球、网球和其他运动中使用的一套电脑系统,以追踪记录球的路径并显示记录的实际路径的图形图像,也可以预测球未来的路径。鹰眼系统从2006年开始,已经在网球比赛中被广泛使用。当然,据说法国网球公开赛(French Open)至今还没有采用这套系统,他们的理由据说是网球击打在红土上会留下球印,所以没有必要采用计算机系统。对于这组委会对进步的抗拒暂且不予以批判,我们还是专注在这项技术本身吧。
鹰眼于2001年由两个英国人SHERRY DAVID和HAWKINS PAUL发明。专利的名称是Video processor systems for ball tracking in ball games。且来看这个专利的摘要部分:
ABSTRACT
A video processing system for use in ball games played within a predetermined area on a pitch or the like such as cricket, comprising at least four video cameras arranged in spaced apart relationship at fixed positions around the said area, a video processorand ball tracker to which signals from the cameras are fed, a data storefor date which models the said area and includes data representative of characteristic features positioned thereon for use in performance of the game, anda store for data appertaining to rules and/or key events of the ball ga