U.S. patent application number 09/803410 was filed with the patent office on 2002-06-20 for golf computer game.
Invention is credited to ran Sundstrom, G?ouml.
Application Number | 20020077164 09/803410 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 20282275 |
Filed Date | 2002-06-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020077164 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sundstrom, G?ouml;ran |
June 20, 2002 |
Golf computer game
Abstract
A computerized golf game to be played on a computer and
including information relating to at least one golf course. The
golf course information can be displayed on a display screen in the
form of a map of the course, and the player can select an
appropriate club and mark the spot at which he intends the ball to
land. The player then executes a stroke, and the game determines
where the ball actually lands. The computerized golf game can also
include statistical information relating to the player's game on
actual golf courses, and it is programmed to calculate the result
of the player's strokes on the basis of the statistical
information.
Inventors: |
Sundstrom, G?ouml;ran;
(Bromma, SE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Alfred J. Mangels
4729 Cornell Road
Cincinnati
OH
45241-2433
US
|
Family ID: |
20282275 |
Appl. No.: |
09/803410 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 13/65 20140902;
A63F 13/56 20140902; A63F 2300/8011 20130101; A63B 71/06 20130101;
A63F 13/577 20140902; A63F 13/5378 20140902; A63B 2102/32 20151001;
A63F 13/812 20140902; A63F 13/10 20130101; A63B 69/3623
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/2 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 18, 2000 |
SE |
0004685-4 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A computerized golf game to be played on a computer and
including golf course layout information, said game comprising: a)
data storage means for storing golf course layout information for
an actual golf course and for storing statistical information
concerning a golf player's game and results of his execution of
golf strokes using different golf clubs based upon the golfer's
previous performance on actual golf courses; b) display means for
displaying the layout of a selected actual golf course and for
receiving a desired ball position input from the golf player; c)
indicator means for indicating on the display means the player's
desired ball position input; e) means for selecting a particular
golf club and for executing a golf stroke; and f) calculating means
for calculating a result of a player's golf stroke based upon the
stored statistical information.
2. A computerized golf game according to claim 1, including means
for receiving result data from an apparatus that records results of
different strokes previously made by the player on an existing golf
course, wherein the result data are utilized in the computerized
golf game to calculate results of strokes executed by the player in
the computerized golf game.
3. A computerized golf game according to claim 1, including random
number generating means for obtaining a natural spread of results
when calculating results achieved by the player.
4. A computerized golf game according to claim 1, wherein the data
storage means includes information relating to a player's golf
handicap; and wherein the handicap information is utilized to
calculate results of golf strokes executed by the player in the
computerized golf game.
5. A computerized golf game according to claim 1, wherein the data
storage means includes additional information relating to play of
other players, and wherein in the additional information is
utilized to calculate results of golf strokes executed by the
player in the computerized golf game.
6. A computerized golf game according to claim 1, wherein the data
storage means includes information relating to layouts of different
golf courses, to enable display of different course layouts on the
display means.
7. A computerized golf game according to claim 6, including data
entry means for receiving golf course layout information carried on
a data carrier means and for entering golf course layout
information carried on a data carrier means.
8. A computerized golf game according to claim 6, wherein golf
course layout information is obtained from a server via a network
for entry into the data storage means.
9. A computerized golf game according to claim 6, wherein the golf
course layout information includes maps of respective holes on the
golf course.
10. A computerized golf game according to claim 9, wherein the maps
include three-dimensional images of the golf course.
11. A method for playing a computerized golf game said method
comprising the steps of: a) providing a computer having a data
storage means, data entry means, calculating means and a display
means; b) storing in the data storage means golf course layout
information for an actual golf course and statistical information
concerning a golf player's game and results of his execution of
golf strokes using different golf clubs based upon the golfer's
previous performance on actual golf courses; c) executing a golf
stroke based upon a particular golf club selected by the player for
playing a particular stroke on a particular hole of a particular
golf course; and d) calculating a result of a player's golf stroke
based upon the stored golf course layout information and the stored
statistical information.
12. A method according to claim 11, including the steps of
receiving and storing result data from an apparatus that records
results of different strokes previously made by the player on an
existing golf course, and utilizing the result data to calculate
results of strokes executed by the player in the computerized golf
game.
13. A method according to claim 1, including the step of obtaining
from a random number generating means a natural spread of results
when calculating results achieved by the player.
14. A method according to claim 1, including the steps of storing
in the data storage means information relating to a player's golf
handicap, and calculating results of golf strokes by the player by
utilizing the player's handicap information.
15. A method according to claim 1, including the step of adding to
the data storage means additional information relating to play of
other players, and utilizing the additional information to
calculate results of golf strokes executed by the player.
16. A method according to claim 1, including the step of storing in
the date storage means information relating to layouts of different
golf courses, to enable display of different course layouts on the
display means.
17. A method according to claim 16, including the step of receiving
golf course layout information carried on a data carrier means.
18. A method according to claim 16, including the step of receiving
golf course layout information from a server via a network.
19. A method according to claim 16, wherein the golf course layout
information includes maps of respective holes on the golf
course.
20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the maps include
three-dimensional images of the golf course.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a golf computer game
particularly intended for use by active golfers in practicing on
"existing" golf courses included within the computerized game, at a
time prior to and as a complement to playing on the actual
course.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Computerized games of golf that include maps of golf courses
that exist in reality and where the player himself/herself selects
an appropriate club and strikes a golf ball by pressing a key on a
keyboard or some corresponding device are known to the art. In all
of those computerized games, by appropriate key selection, mouse
clicking or some corresponding action, the player is able to choose
the direction of the shot played and the force with which the ball
is struck. The game is thus more or less sophisticated, although
despite those possible variations in the game, the result of the
golf stroke is determined by parameters included in the computer
program, parameters that are influenced to some extent by the
information entered by the player. The golfing expertise and
strategic ability of the player can thus influence the results to
some degree, although the actual prowess of the player on the
actual golf course has no influence on the result of the game,
which depends solely upon the ability of the player to operate the
computer program. Consequently, the game gives no actual feedback
to the player with respect to how he/she should strike the ball in
order to improve the result.
[0005] There is known, inter alia, from International Patent
Application PCT/SE00/01319, a golf player indicator with which a
golfer is able to record his/her strokes during a round of golf.
That indicator includes an apparatus that has a map of the golf
course concerned and, with the aid of a built-in GPS receiver, is
adapted to display the map on its display screen and to store in
the apparatus the place where the golf ball has landed, in response
to activation of the apparatus by the user in order to show his
position on the course and the place where the golf ball has
landed. The user is also able to make fine adjustments to the
displayed location. The stored results can then be retrieved and
shown to a trainer or coach, a so-called professional, who is then
able to advise the player of how the shot should have been played
in order to achieve a better result.
[0006] Such an apparatus enables the results of many rounds of golf
to be saved, so that the trainer or coach is able to see and
compare the results and thereby follow the development of the
player and give him/her further advice. However, the apparatus is
unable to help the player improve his skills.
[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a novel
golf computer game that overcomes the drawbacks noted above to
enable a golfer to practice prior to actually playing on a real
golf course, by playing on the same course in the computerized
game, and thereby obtain a feel for how he/she should play if the
game was being played on the real golf course.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] This object of the invention is achieved with a computerized
game of golf that is intended to be played on a computer and that
includes information relating to at least one golf course. The golf
course information can be displayed on a screen in the form of a
map of the golf course selected, and the player is able to select
an appropriate golf club and mark the spot at which he/she intends
the ball to land. The player then executes a golf stroke. In
accordance with the invention, the computerized game can also
include statistical information relating to the player's game on
actual golf courses, and it is adapted to calculate the result of
the player's golf stroke on the basis of that statistical
information.
[0009] The computerized golf game thus enables the player to obtain
an idea of what his result would have been if he had played on the
actual course instead of playing the computerized game. It thereby
enables the player to test other clubs and/or stroke directions, so
that he can more readily decide which club to use and in which
direction the ball should be struck, and, with the aid of the
computerized golf game, the distance through which the ball should
be driven on the actual golf course in order to overcome the
hazards and traps that are in play.
[0010] The inventive computerized golf game is thus designed to
enable the actual game of the player stored in the aforesaid
apparatus to be entered into the computerized golf game as a
statistical basis for the golf computer, so that the result of a
golf stroke made in the computerized game can be calculated.
[0011] The entered statistical information is not used
"immediately" in the golf game. The game will preferably include
some form of random number function that selects a stroke distance
and a stroke direction on the basis of information obtained with
respect to a usual stroke distance and a usual stroke direction,
and in that way it generates a probable stroke for the player
concerned. If the player normally has a wide variation in the
distance achieved with the club selected, the result in the golf
game will also show a wide variation in stroke distance, although
in the vicinity of the values normal for the player concerned. The
same applies to a player who normally has a wide spread in his
stroke angle relative to the intended angle. On the other hand, if
the player is normally more even with respect to the result in
his/her game, the results obtained in the computerized game will
also be more even. The results can then be used by the
player/golfer to try different clubs, different stroke directions
and different distances on one and the same hole, so as to
establish which of those parameters would be most suitable for him
to reach the hole in the fewest number of strokes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0012] The invention will now be described in more detail with
reference to a non-limiting embodiment and with reference to the
accompanying drawing, FIG. 1, which illustrates schematically the
various components of the game.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0013] When the player plays a round of golf on the actual golf
course 1, he notes each stroke in his indicator 2, the indicator
suitably being of the kind described in the aforesaid publication
PCT/SE00/01319, the entire disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if fully
rewritten. The results entered in the indicator can be used
conventionally by the trainer/coach to analyze the round played by
the golfer, and can, furthermore, be transferred directly from the
indicator to a PC 3 belonging to the golfer/player, or via another
computer owned by the trainer, or the like.
[0014] Stored in the player's PC 3 is a game program that includes
software for playing a golf game. The program can initially include
information relating to different golf courses, including maps over
respective holes and other information, such as hazards, traps,
slopes, surface variations, etc. That information is combined to
provide pictures of the golf course and is shown on the display
screen of the PC 3. In the case of simpler versions, the picture or
image of the golf course can be a two-dimensional image, although
it will preferably be possible to zoom-in on the area of the course
in which the golfer/the game is located at that moment in time. In
more advanced versions, the image of the golf course can be a
three-dimensional image that illustrates the appearance of the
course from that place in which the game is being played. Such
versions, however, require considerably more basic information
relating to the course concerned.
[0015] The player can conventionally make an appropriate club
selection, mark the spot at which he intends to his ball to land,
and then carry out a golf stroke, all with the aid of keys and/or
other activating means. Marking of the spot at which the player
intends his ball to land will preferably be done on the display
screen with the aid of the mouse or some other pointer or reference
means. The game program then calculates where the ball will land on
the basis of the given assumptions and with the aid of a
calculating algorithm, and presents the result of that calculation
to the player, who then continues with his next stroke from the
calculated landing point, and thereafter continues in a
corresponding manner until the ball drops into the cup.
[0016] As opposed to previously-known computerized golf games, the
inventive game does not calculate the result of a golf stroke
purely on the basis of the information entered by the player and on
the basis of other data belonging to the program. Instead, the game
program uses data taken from the indicator 2 and data relating to
earlier rounds of golf played by the player on the actual golf
course concerned, when such data are available. If no such data are
available, there are used instead data from earlier shots played by
the player/golfer with the same club that he has now chosen to use,
but on other courses. Calculations are not based solely on the
results from earlier play and a certain spread is preferably
sought. The program will conveniently include a computing function
in this respect, controlled by a random number generator, for
instance. The more results the player has on one and the same golf
course or with one and the same club, the more these results will
influence the result of the stroke that is calculated by the game
program. And the more even the earlier results of the player when
playing on the actual golf course, the more uniform the result will
be when playing on the computerized golf course. Consequently, such
a computing function will conveniently be included in the
computerized game program, so that the skill of the player in his
game on the actual golf course will be reflected in the result of
his play on the computerized golf game. This results in a
probability assessment of where the ball struck by the player would
have landed in reality, and places the result of the stroke at that
spot.
[0017] Play can be continued in this way until the ball drops into
the cup, and then continue with the next hole until all holes on
the golf course have been completed. As will be understood, the
player can, of course, play the same hole on the course several
times and test different club selections and/or different
strategies as to how the ball should be struck, so as to see which
modifications can be made to his game on the course in which he is
interested to test his game in reality and to improve the
result.
[0018] The computerized golf game can also be programmed to assign
to the player a handicap that differs from his own handicap, in
which case the program will be adapted to calculate instead the
result of the golf stroke from the handicap assigned, so that the
player will obtain an understanding of how his game would appear in
reality if he improves his handicap.
[0019] Data can be transferred from the indicator 2 to the PC 3 via
cable connections between those units or by saving data/information
from the indicator 2 in the computer owned by the trainer, and by
downloading the information onto a disk, via the Internet, or sent
as an attached file to the player.
[0020] The computerized game can also include the game results of
established players, so that the player is able to test himself and
his expertise against the expertise of the established players.
[0021] Golf course data that are required for the computerized game
and that are not included in the basic game data can be obtained on
a disk or downloaded from a server 4 via the Internet or some other
suitable network. Information concerning respective golf courses
for use in the inventive computerized golf game can, for instance,
be obtained from the respective golf courses.
[0022] It can be particularly advantageous to collect information
relating to the appearance of the golf course via the Internet or
some other network when the appearance of the golf course can vary
from day to day and when information concerning the state of the
golf course on a particular day is made available, e.g., on the
Internet, thereby enabling the player to download relevant
information for a particular day and to test play the golf course
in the computerized golf game prior to going out onto the actual
course. The weather data relevant to that day can be entered into
the computerized game so that the player will also be influenced by
the weather conditions when playing the course on his computer.
[0023] Although particular embodiments of the present invention
have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those
skilled in the art that changes and modifications can be made
without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is therefore
intended to encompass within the appended claims all such changes
and modifications that fall within the scope of the present
invention.
* * * * *