DECEMBER 7--Cedip Infrared Systems (Croissy-Beaubourg, France;
www.cedip-infrared.com), developer of thermal IR camera technology, working with BBG Sports (Melbourne, Australia), has developed a state-of-the-art system called 'Hot Spot' that it claims will end all speculation surrounding a cricket dismissal. Trialed at the recent first Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Brisbane by broadcasters of the Nine Network, the Hot Spot uses two Cedip Emerald IR cameras positioned above the field of play at opposite ends of the ground to record play and spur into action if there is an umpiring incident.
The Emerald LR is a high-performance thermal-imaging camera optimized for long-range surveillance and tracking in mobile systems or field installations. Incorporating a sensitive InSb focal-plane-array sensor, state-of-the-art 14-bit digital electronics, and motorized optics in a compact, weatherproof housing, the Emerald LR camera is a good choice for sensitive outdoor thermal IR measurement.
The camera can remotely sense and measure the miniscule amount of heat generated by a collision, such as ball on pad, ball on bat, or ball on ground, enabling an exact decision to be made for a snick, a bat-pad catch, or a LBW (leg before wicket) appeal. When an umpiring decision comes into play, the continuously recording cameras produce a black-and-white negative image that shows the ball's precise point of contact.
BBG Sports specializes in professional IT solutions for the sports broadcasting industry. Over the last 15 years, BBG Sports has been involved in a range of events and sports such as Wimbledon, Australian Open Tennis, US Open Tennis, French Open Tennis, Augusta National Golf, and the Olympics.
