U.S. patent application number 10/120356 was filed with the patent office on 2003-10-16 for golf tee shot-green placement video/imaging camera monitoring and measuring system and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to PROSWING INTERNATIONAL LLC. Invention is credited to Cohen, Daniel E., Fierek, Robert Wm..
Application Number | 20030195052 10/120356 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28790083 |
Filed Date | 2003-10-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030195052 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cohen, Daniel E. ; et
al. |
October 16, 2003 |
Golf tee shot-green placement video/imaging camera monitoring and
measuring system and method
Abstract
A golf tee shot-green placement measuring system for measuring
distances of tee shots upon a predetermined green from the cup or
hole, and a method of performing such measurement, comprises the
use of a video camera which once locked in position with respect to
a predetermined region of the green, can measure the distances of
golf balls from the green cup or hole through pixel grid
measurements and the relationship of such pixels to inch
dimensions.
Inventors: |
Cohen, Daniel E.; (Sedona,
AZ) ; Fierek, Robert Wm.; (Bayfield, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Steven W. Weinrieb
SCHWARTZ & WEINRIEB
2001 Jefferson Davis Highway
Crystal Plaza One, Suite 1109
Arlington
VA
22202
US
|
Assignee: |
PROSWING INTERNATIONAL LLC
|
Family ID: |
28790083 |
Appl. No.: |
10/120356 |
Filed: |
April 12, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/151 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2220/806 20130101;
A63B 2024/0031 20130101; A63B 24/0003 20130101; A63B 57/40
20151001; A63B 67/02 20130101; A63B 2220/807 20130101; A63B 24/0021
20130101; A63B 69/3623 20130101; A63B 69/3658 20130101; A63B 57/357
20151001; A63B 2220/05 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/151 |
International
Class: |
A63B 067/02 |
Claims
What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters
Patent of the United States of America, is:
1. A golf tee shot-green placement measurement system, for use in
connection with golf challenge contests, comprising: a golf ball
cup member disposed upon a predetermined green area of a
predetermined hole of a golf region upon which golf balls can be
shot; and means disposed adjacent to, but outside of, said
predetermined green area of said predetermined hole of said golf
region for measuring the distance of a golf ball, hit from the tee
of said predetermined hole of said golf region and disposed upon
said predetermined green area of said predetermined hole of said
golf region, from said golf ball cup member so as to determine
closest-to-the-pin golf challenge contest results.
2. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said distance
measuring means comprises a device selected from the group
comprising a video camera, visual equipment, and optical
implement.
3. The system as set forth in claim 2, wherein: said video camera
has software incorporated therein which effectively superimposes a
grid, comprising rows and columns of pixels, over said
predetermined green area of said predetermined hole of said golf
region so as to measure the distance of the golf ball from said
golf ball cup member in accordance with a predetermined number of
pixels per inch of distance.
4. The system as set forth in claim 2, wherein: said video camera
is mounted upon a vertically oriented standard; and a camera
controller is operatively connected to said video camera for moving
said video camera within vertically oriented tilting modes,
horizontally oriented panning modes, and zoom-in/zoom-out
field-of-view modes for adjusting the fields of view of said video
camera with respect to said green area of said predetermined hole
of said golf region.
5. The system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: means
operatively associated with said green area of said predetermined
hole of said golf region for detecting the presence of a golf ball
as being upon an outskirt portion of said green area of said
predetermined hole of said golf region.
6. The system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: means
disposed upon said tee of said predetermined hole of said golf
region for activating said measuring means disposed adjacent to,
but outside of, said predetermined green area of said predetermined
hole of said golf region for a predetermined time period which
extends for a sufficient time for said golfer to drive his tee shot
from said tee area of said predetermined hole of said golf region,
for said tee shot to land upon said predetermined green area of
said predetermined hole of said golf region, and for said measuring
means to measure the distance of the golf ball, hit from said tee
of said predetermined hole of said golf region and disposed upon
said predetermined green area of said predetermined hole of said
golf region, to said golf ball cup member.
7. The system as set forth in claim 6, wherein: said activating
means is operatively connected to said measuring means by means of
a communication link.
8. The system as set forth in claim 7, wherein: said communication
link is se elected from the group comprising a hardwire, a
wireless, a radio frequency, a satellite link, and a fiber optic
communication link.
9. The system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: means
disposed upon said predetermined green area of said predetermined
hole of said golf region for determining the condition placement of
said tee shot as being within said golf ball cup member as a
hole-in-one.
10. The system as set forth in claim 9, wherein: said means for
determining said tee shot as a hole-in-one comprises is disposed
within said golf ball cup member and is selected from the group
comprising a photodetector and a solenoid mechanism.
11. The system as set forth in claim 6, further comprising: first
computer means disposed within a club house of said golf region for
issuing a ticket card, having encoded data thereon with respect to
the golfer, to the golfer for enabling the golfer to participate in
a hole-in-one contest comprising placing said tee shot directly
within said golf ball cup member, for enabling the golfer to
participate in an on-the-green contest comprising placing said tee
shot upon an outskirt portion of said green area, and for enabling
the golfer to participate in a closest-to-the-pin contest
comprising placing said tee shot within a specified distance from
said golf ball cup member; second computer means disposed upon said
tee area for accepting said encoded data from said ticket card, for
comparing said accepted encoded data with said encoded data
disposed within said first computer means, and for validating said
ticket card whereby said second computer means can activate said
measuring means disposed upon said green area; and third computer
means disposed upon said green area for recording data concerning
tee shots as holes-in-one, upon outskirt portions of said green
area, and within predetermined distances from said golf ball cup
member.
12. The system as set forth in claim 11, wherein: said first,
second, and third computer means are operatively connected to each
other by communication links selected from the group comprising a
hardwire, a wireless, a radio frequency, a satellite, and a fiber
optic communication link.
13. The system as set forth in claim 3, further comprising: a
second video camera disposed adjacent to said tee area for visually
tracking said tee shot outbound from said tee area; a third video
camera disposed adjacent to said green area for visually tracking
said tee shot inbound to said green area; and a fourth video camera
disposed adjacent to said green area for monitoring said green area
in a panoramic mode so as to ensure that any golf balls disposed
upon said green area comprise only legitimate tee shots from said
tee area to said green area so as to qualify as on-the-green tee
shots.
14. The system as set forth in claim 11, further comprising:
display means disposed within said club house and upon said tee
area for displaying contest data when golfers are participating in
a contest upon said predetermined hole of said golf region, and for
displaying advertising material when golfers are not participating
in a contest upon said predetermined hole of said golf region.
15. A method for measuring the distance of a golf tee shot when
said golf tee shot lands upon a green area of a hole of a golf
region for use in connection with closest-to-the-pin golf challenge
contests, comprising the steps of: providing a golf ball cup member
disposed upon a predetermined green area of a predetermined hole of
a golf region; and using means, disposed adjacent to, but outside
of, said predetermined green area of said predetermined hole of
said golf region, to measure the distance of a golf ball, hit from
the tee of said predetermined hole of said golf region and disposed
upon said predetermined green area of said predetermined hole of
said golf region, from said golf ball cup member so as to determine
closest-to-the-pin golf challenge contest results.
16. The method as set forth in claim 15, further comprising the
steps of: using, as said distance measuring means, a device
selected from the group comprising a video camera, visual
equipment, and optical implement.
17. The method as set forth in claim 16, further comprising the
step of: using a video camera as said means for measuring said
distance of said golf ball tee shot, disposed upon said green area
of said predetermined hole of said golf region, from said golf ball
cup holder.
18. The method as set forth in claim 17, further comprising the
steps of: disposing said video camera in a zoom-out mode; tilting
and panning said video camera while in said zoom-out mode so as to
detect the location of said golf ball cup holder and an associated
flag pole; locking said video camera in position so as to center
said golf ball cup member and said flag pole within the field of
view of said video camera; and disposing said video camera in a
zoom-in mode so as to narrow said field of view of said video
camera to a predetermined field of view within which golf balls
must be located so as to qualify as entries in said
closest-to-thepin golf challenge contest.
19. The method as set forth in claim 17, further comprising the
step of: incorporating software within said video camera for
effectively superimposing a grid, comprising rows and columns of
pixels, over said predetermined green area of said predetermined
hole of said golf region so as to measure the distance of the golf
ball from said golf ball cup member in accordance with a
predetermined number of pixels per inch of distance.
20. The method as set forth in claim 15, further comprising the
steps of: using first computer means disposed within a club house
of said golf region for issuing a ticket card, having encoded data
thereon with respect to the golfer, to the golfer for enabling the
golfer to participate in a hole-in-one contest comprising placing
said tee shot directly within said golf ball cup member, for
enabling the golfer to participate in an on-the-green contest
comprising placing said tee shot upon an outskirt portion of said
green area, and for enabling a golfer to participate in a
closest-to-the-pin contest comprising placing said tee shot within
a specified distance from said golf ball cup member; using second
computer means disposed upon said tee area for accepting said
encoded data from said ticket card, for comparing said accepted
encoded data with said encoded data disposed within said first
computer means, and for validating said ticket card whereby said
second computer means can activate said measuring means disposed
upon said green area; and using third computer means disposed upon
said green area for recording data concerning tee shots as
holes-in-one, upon outskirt portions of said green area, and within
predetermined distances from said golf ball cup member.
21. The method as set forth in claim 20, further comprising the
step of: operatively interconnecting said first, second, and third
computer means to each other by communication links selected from
the group comprising a hardwire, a wireless, a radio frequency, a
satellite, and a fiber optic communication link.
22. The method as set forth in claim 17, further comprising the
step of: using a second video camera disposed adjacent to said tee
area for visually tracking said tee shot outbound from said tee
area; using a third video camera disposed adjacent to said green
area for visually tracking said tee shot inbound to said green
area; and using a fourth video camera disposed adjacent to said
green area for monitoring said green area in a panoramic mode so as
to ensure that any golf balls disposed upon said green area
comprise only legitimate tee shots from said tee area to said green
area so as to qualify as on-the-green tee shots.
23. The method as set forth in claim 19, further comprising the
step of: displaying contest data upon display means disposed within
said club house and upon said tee area when golfers are
participating in a contest upon said predetermined hole of said
golf region, and displaying advertising material upon said display
means when golfers are not participating in a contest upon said
predetermined hole of said golf region.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to amusement
systems, and more particularly to a new and improved amusement
system, and a method of operating the same, which is especially
designed for use in connection with a golf course for monitoring
the flight of individual golf tee shots from a predetermined or
particular tee of the golf course, or from any one of a multitude
of predetermined or particular tees of the golf course, onto a
corresponding predetermined or particular one of the golf course
greens so as to determine the presence of the tee shots upon the
predetermined or particular green, so as to measure the distance of
each tee shot golf ball from the cup of the predetermined or
particular golf course green, and for determining the presence of
golf ball tee shots which in fact have landed within the cup of the
predetermined or particular golf course green as a hole-in-one tee
shot, all as part of a contest of skill for which prize money
and/or non-monetary prizes are awarded.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Over the years, particularly within recent times, and at
least due in part to the emergence of a substantially large number
of new, young, exciting, and competitive professional golfers upon
the Professional Golfer Association (PGA) tour, golf has become one
of the world's favorite and most widely played recreational
activities. While most golfers will certainly agree that the sport
is quite challenging, and in addition, at times quite frustrating,
it is certainly, for the most part, very enjoyable and relaxing,
which accounts for its extremely widespread popularity. As is often
the case, however, even with the various challenges inherently
integrated into the sport, it is almost natural for golfers,
particularly for those golfers playing together as a group, such
as, for example, within a foursome, to have a desire to pursue
additional challenges or competition during their usual rounds of
golf. This is particularly true if such an additional challenge or
competition comprises a combination of skill, amusement, and the
potential for remuneration, it having been additionally experienced
that such an added challenge or competition further enhances or
fosters friendship, camaraderie, and the like between the members
of the group. It is necessary, however, that the aforenoted
additional challenge or competition be capable of being integrally
incorporated within the overall round of golf without upsetting the
continuity of the round of golf for both participants and
non-participants of the particular golf group, as well as with
respect to other groups of golfers who may follow the particular
group of golfers engaging in such additional challenge or
competition.
[0003] What has been envisioned or contemplated by means of the
present invention is the implementation and monitoring of a
hole-in-one competition for a plurality of participating golfers
playing within a defined or predetermined group of golfers, or even
for a sole participating golfer, and concomitant therewith, the
implementation and monitoring of a competition comprising golf tee
shots, of one or more participating players, onto the green of a
predetermined par-three hole of the golf course wherein the players
will also be awarded a variety of prizes based upon both the
presence of the tee shots upon the particular or predetermined
green, as well as the distance of the tee shots from the hole or
cup within a prescribed or predetermined region surrounding the
hole or cup. A system similar to the aforenoted contemplated or
envisioned system has been previously disclosed within U.S. Pat.
No. 5,884,913 which is entitled GOLF TEE SHOT-GREEN PLACEMENT
MONITORING SYSTEM and which issued on Mar. 23, 1999 to Daniel E.
Cohen.
[0004] Briefly, as disclosed within the aforenoted patent, the
system comprises three different units or sub-systems which are
integrated together by means of suitable communication links. More
particularly, the three different units or sub-systems comprise a
first clubhouse base unit or sub-system which effectively manages
or controls the operation of the overall system, a second tee unit
or sub-system which is located at a predetermined or particular
par-three hole of the golf course and which effectively initiates
the operation of the system once a participating golfer has reached
the predetermined or particular par-three hole of the golf course
and has activated the tee unit or sub-system, and a third green
unit or sub-system which is located upon the green of the
predetermined or particular par-three hole of the golf course and
which is activated by means of the second tee unit or sub-system so
as to timely monitor the status of the incoming tee shots.
[0005] In connection with the green unit or sub-system, the cup of
the predetermined or particular par-three hole of the golf course
has been modified so as to integrally incorporate therein first
detection means for detecting the presence of an incoming golf ball
which would qualify as a hole-in-one. In addition, the flag pole
operatively associated with the cup of the predetermined or
particular parthree hole has also been modified so as to integrally
incorporate therein second detection means for detecting the
presence of incoming golf balls which effectively land upon the
predetermined or particular green within predetermined distances
from the cup. While the aforenoted patented system has been deemed
quite satisfactory, it has been determined that the second
detection means could desirably be improved so as to ensure
enhanced accuracy in determining the disposition or location of the
various golf balls upon the green and relative to the cup. For
example, in view of the fact that the second detection means is
integrally incorporated within the flag pole operatively associated
with the cup of the predetermined or particular par-three hole, the
effective field of view of such second detection means may
sometimes be obscured or otherwise adversely affected by means of
the particular terrain comprising the green of the predetermined or
particular par-three hole. Consequently, a particular participant's
golf ball may not in fact be detected by such detection means, or
alternatively, the determination of the distance of such golf ball
to the cup may be inaccurately skewed. In either case, the results
of the contest may not be valid.
[0006] A need therefore exists in the art for a new and improved
golf tee shot-green placement video camera monitoring and measuring
system, and a method of operating the same, wherein in addition to
the hole-in-one detection system, and in lieu of the monitoring and
pin-closeness distance measurement system being located at a
relatively low elevational position upon the green as a result of
effectively being incorporated within the flag pole operatively
associated with the cup of the predeterminedly or particularly
designated par-three hole, the monitoring and measuring system
should be located at a relatively high elevational position, and at
a location disposed adjacent to or off to one side of the green of
the predeterminedly or particularly designated par-three hole, such
that the monitoring and measuring equipment can firstly optically
or visually view the entire green from a panoramic point of view so
as to detect tee shots which have landed upon the green, such that
the monitoring and measuring equipment can secondly be calibrated
with respect to the pin and cup so as to be properly oriented with
respect to the green regardless of the particular placement or
location of the pin and cup upon the green, and such that the
monitoring and measuring equipment can thirdly be operated with a
limited field of view perspective so as to ensure the valid
monitoring of the green area as well as the accurate measuring of
the distances of the tee-shot golf balls from the cup of the
predeterminedly or particularly designated par-three hole upon the
particular golf course or playing surface.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a new and improved golf tee-shot hole-in one detection,
green presence, and pin-closeness distance measurement system, and
a method of operating the same.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a new
and improved golf tee-shot hole-in one detection, green presence,
and pin-closeness distance measurement system, and a method of
operating the same, wherein the golf tee-shot hole-in-one
detecting, green presence, and pincloseness distance measurement
system of the present invention can effectively overcome the
various operational disadvantages characteristic of the PRIOR ART
systems or apparatus.
[0009] An additional object of the present invention is to provide
a new and improved golf tee-shot hole-in-one detection, green
presence, and pin-closeness distance measurement system, and a
method of operating the same, wherein the golf tee-shot hole-in one
detection, green presence, and pin-closeness distance measurement
system can be utilized to not only detect the presence of a
hole-in-one golf tee shot, but in addition, can detect the presence
of any tee shots upon the green as well as accurately determine the
distances of golf balls, that have landed upon the green and within
a predetermined distance, field, or range surrounding the hole or
cup, from the cup.
[0010] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
new and improved golf tee-shot hole-in-one detection, green
presence, and pin-closeness distance measurement system, and a
method of operating the same, wherein the golf tee-shot hole-in-one
detection, green presence, and pincloseness distance measurement
system can be utilized to initially optically or visually view the
entire green from a panoramic point of view, and to secondly
calibrate the system with respect to the pin and cup so as to
properly orient the system with respect to the green regardless of
the particular placement or location of the pin and cup upon the
green.
[0011] A last object of the present invention is to provide a new
and improved golf tee-shot hole-in-one detection, green presence,
and pin-closeness distance measurement system, and a method of
operating the same, wherein the golf tee-shot hole-in-one
detection, green presence, and pincloseness distance measurement
system can be utilized to initially optically or visually view the
entire green from a panoramic point of view, to secondly calibrate
the system with respect to the pin and cup so as to properly orient
the system with respect to the green regardless of the particular
placement or location of the pin and cup upon the green, and to
thirdly operate with a limited field of view perspective so as to
ensure the accurate measurement of the distances of the tee-shot
golf balls from the cup of the predeterminedly or particularly
designated par-three hole.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The foregoing and other objectives are achieved in
accordance with the teachings and principles of the present
invention through the provision of a new and improved golf tee-shot
hole-in-one detection, green presence, and pincloseness distance
measurement system, and a method of operating the same, which
basically comprises three different units or sub-systems
interrelated or interconnected together by means of suitable
communication lines. More particularly, the new and improved system
of the present invention comprises a first base unit or sub-system
which is located within the golf course club house, a second tee
unit or sub-system which is located upon the tee of any
predetermined or particularly designated three-par hole upon which
the contest or tournament will be played, and a third green unit or
sub-system which is located at any optically or visually
advantageous position adjacent to the green of the predetermined or
particularly designated three-par hole upon which the contest or
tournament is being played. The base or club house unit or
sub-system manages the operation of the entire system by initially
issuing contest entry cards, transmitting data concerning a
particular entry to the memory of a central computer as well as to
the memory of the tee unit or sub-system located upon the tee of
the predetermined or particularly designated three-par hole upon
which the contest or tournament will be played, receiving data from
the green unit or sub-system located upon the green of the
predetermined or particularly designated three-par hole upon which
the contest or tournament is being played, and ultimately
processing all data so as to validate the results of a particular
contest.
[0013] The tee unit or sub-system is activated by means of the
contestant when the contestant arrives at the tee of the
predetermined or particularly designated three-par hole upon which
the contest or tournament is to be played, and in turn, activation
of the tee unit or sub-system activates the green unit of the
predetermined or particularly designated three-par hole upon which
the contest or tournament will be played such that when the tee
shot from the tee of the predetermined or particularly designated
three-par hole upon which the contest or tournament is being played
arrives at the green of the predetermined or particularly
designated three-par hole upon which the contest or tournament is
being played, the tee shot can be detected to either be physically
within the cup either as a hole-in-one, or simply be at a location
upon the green which is located in effect near the outer periphery
of the green, or can be readily determined to be within a
predetermined distance from the cup of the par-three hole. Data
from the green unit or sub-system, concerning the particular tee
shot and its result either as a hole-in-one, upon the outskirts of
the green, or within a predetermined distance from the cup, in
addition to being transmitted to the memory of the central computer
for ultimate validation and processing of the contest prize money,
is also transmitted back to the tee unit so that the participant
can readily appreciate or know the status of his or her tee shot.
The computer located within the base or club house unit or
sub-system is also utilized to control the cameras disposed at the
green of the predetermined or particularly designated three-par
hole upon which the contest or tournament will be played so as to
properly calibrate the cameras with respect to, for example, the
location of the pin or cup upon the green of the predetermined or
particularly designated three-par hole upon which the contest or
tournament is being played.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Various other objects, features, and attendant advantages of
the present invention will be more fully appreciated from the
following detailed description when considered in connection with
the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters
designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views,
and wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing illustrating the overall golf
tee shot-green placement distance measurement system constructed in
accordance with the principles and teachings of the present
invention and showing the cooperative parts thereof;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a tee unit or
sub-system component of the overall system of the present invention
as illustrated within FIG. 1 and as located at the tee of the
predetermined or particularly designated three-par hole upon which
the contest is being played;
[0017] FIG. 3 is an elevational view, partly in cross-section, of
the hole or cup component of the tee unit or sub-system as
constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the
present invention as illustrated within FIG. 1 and as located upon
the green of the predetermined or particularly designated three-par
hole upon which the contest is being played; and
[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the camera system located
adjacent to the green of the predetermined or particularly
designated three-par hole upon which the contest or tournament is
being played.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG.
1 thereof, the new and improved golf tee shot-green placement
measurement system constructed in accordance with the principles
and teachings of the present invention is disclosed and is
generally indicated by the reference character 10. The system 10
has been constructed so as to, in effect, facilitate the operation
and monitoring of a hole-in-one challenge or contest for
participating golfers, wherein the hole-in-one challenge or contest
is to be played upon one or more particularly or predeterminedly
selected holes of a golf course upon which the system of the
present invention has been installed. In conjunction with the
hole-in-one challenge or contest, the system of the present
invention also facilitates the operation and monitoring of
auxiliary on-the-green and closest-to-the-pin challenges or
contests for the participating golfers, wherein for those tee shots
which do not comprise holes-in-one, such tee shots can nevertheless
be considered to be winning tee shots, on a graduated scale, if the
tee shots land either upon an outer peripheral or outskirt portion
of the green of the particular or predeterminedly selected hole of
the golf course or within predetermined distances from the hole or
cup as may be pre-established in accordance with the rules of the
challenge or contest.
[0020] The hole-in-one, on-the-green, and closest-to-the-pin
challenges or contests are usually entered into by participating
golfers prior to the commencement of their particular round of golf
at a particular golf course upon which the system of the present
invention has been installed, although this process may be altered
as will be discussed hereinafter, and it is noted that for the
purposes of the present invention, the golf course may comprise any
type of golf course, or even a surface region upon which golf-type
tee shots might be implemented, such as, for example, an
eighteen-hole regulation golf course, a nine-hole golf course or
round of golf, a driving range, a miniature golf course, a putting
range, or the like. More particularly, in accordance with the
operation of the both the hole-in-one, on-the-green, and
closest-to-the-pin challenges or contests, if a particular golfer
wants to participate in the challenges or contests, he or she would
normally make such arrangements prior to the commencement of his or
her round of golf. For example, at the time that the golfer is
paying for his or her green fee within the club house, in
preparation for starting his or her round of golf in accordance
with his or her tee-off time, the golfer would pay, for example, an
additional nominal charge or fee in return for which, if the golfer
achieves a hole-in-one at the predetermined par-three hole of the
golf course, or upon a designated hole of a putting green or a
miniature golf course, he or she will receive predetermined prize
money, or non-monetary prizes, commensurate with the amount of
money he or she originally paid. For example, if the golfer
originally pays a predetermined fee or charge and achieves a
hole-in-one upon the predeterminedly selected par-three hole of the
golf course, then the golfer will receive a predetermined monetary
prize, or alternatively, a predetermined non-monetary prize, such
as, for example, a new car, a vacation trip, and the like. Similar
monetary or non-monetary prizes will be awarded, for example, upon
a graduated scale, for on-the-green and closest-to-the-pin
locations of the tee shots. It is of course to be further
understood that the particularly established fees and prizes may be
varied as determined by means of the management of the particular
golf course upon which the system of the present invention has been
installed. In addition, in accordance with management policies
prevalent at a particular golf course or club, in lieu of the
participating golfers paying an extra contest or challenge entry
fee, such fees can in effect be included within the normal green
fee that the club or golf course charges all golfers for playing
upon its golf course.
[0021] Continuing still further, and as has been noted
hereinbefore, for those tee shots that do not become holes-in-one,
monetary and non-monetary prizes may also be awarded upon a
graduated scale for those shots that land upon the outskirts or
peripheral regions of the green or upon the green within specified
distances from the hole or cup. For example, if the golfer
initially paid a predetermined fee and if his tee shot simply lands
upon, for example, an outskirt or peripheral region of the green,
he would then be paid a predetermined nominal amount of prize money
or receive an appropriate non-monetary prize, however, if the
golfer places his or her tee shot anywhere within ten feet from the
cup or hole, the golfer would receive predetermined monetary or
non-monetary prizes depending upon the distance of the shot from
the hole or cup as measured in one-foot increments. Again, it is to
be understood that the particularly established fees and prizes may
be varied as determined by the management of the particular golf
course upon which the system of the present invention has been
installed.
[0022] It is to be further understood that other contests may be
established or arranged by means of the golf course management. For
example, in addition to daily hole-in-one, on-the-green, and
closest-to-the-pin contests, an annual hole-in-one, on-the-green,
and closest-to-the-pin contest may be held for all previous
hole-in-one, on-the-green, and closest-to-the-pin winners who have
won prizes within the past year. Alternatively, in connection with
the closest-to-the-pin contests or challenges, it may be decided
that a prize or payment may be awarded only to that golfer, within
a participating group of golfers, for example, a foursome, whose
tee shot was in fact closest to the pin. Still further, it may be
decided that a prize or payment may be awarded only to that golfer
who had the best or closest tee shot recorded upon the particular
golf course within a particular day. Still yet further, contests
may be held upon a local, regional, or national basis, between
different golfers at different golf courses, as a result of the
closest-to-the-pin data being entered into the particular golf
course's computer memory, as will become more apparent hereinafter.
In any case, it is to be understood that the present invention is
not directed toward or meant to establish the particular rules,
fees, or circumstances under which the particular prizes are to be
awarded, but to the contrary, the present invention is directed
toward a system for establishing, implementing, and monitoring the
hole-in-one, on-the-green, and closest-to-the-pin contests or
challenges.
[0023] Referring then again to FIG. 1, and in order to better
understand and appreciate the structural arrangement of the various
components comprising the present invention system 10, it is to be
initially noted that the system 10 of the present invention will be
established or erected upon one or more predetermined par-three
holes of the regulation golf course, or upon one or more particular
holes of a putting green, miniature golf course, or the like.
Accordingly, prior to the commencement of a round of golf, if a
particular golfer, for example, chooses to participate in the
hole-in-one, on-the-green, or closest-to-the-pin contest or
challenge, then he or she will pay the aforenoted predetermined
nominal fee in the golf course club house, if, in this instance,
such entry fee is not already included within the normal green fee.
In particular, the golf course club house may be provided with a
computer terminal 12 which therefore issues the golfer a ticket, a
card, or the like, with printed indicia or bar code information
recorded thereon identifying the golf course, the golfer, the date
and time, the golfer's tee-off time, the amount of money paid, and
any other information which may be deemed pertinent or necessary in
order to identify the particular golfer and to distinguish him or
her from the other golfers. In particular, the club house computer
terminal 12 may comprise a keypad 14 by means of which information
may be inputted into the computer's memory, and a printer 16 by
means of which a ticket or card, having the pertinent golf course
and golfer information printed thereon either in alphanumeric form,
a bar code, a magnetic strip, or the like, may be issued to the
golfer. The information concerning the particular transaction with
respect to the particular golfer is also transmitted by means of
the club house computer 12 to a central computer 18 by means of any
suitable conventionally available communication link or line 20,
such as, for example, a hardwire communication line, a wireless
connection, a radio-frequency (RF) link, a fiber optic link, a
satellite link, or the like, and it is noted that the central
computer 18 may be located within the golf course club house, at
another local location, or even at a remote national location by
means of which different golf courses located within different
regions of the country may be integrally connected.
[0024] With reference now being additionally made to FIG. 2, when
the participating golfer arrives at any one of the particular
predetermined or pre-selected par-three holes of the golf course
upon which the challenge or contest, implemented by means of the
system of the present invention, is to be played, he or she will
approach a tee unit, generally indicated by the reference character
30, which is located upon or immediately adjacent to the tee area
of the afore-noted par-three hole. The tee unit 30 is seen to
comprise a housing 32 within which a suitable computer data storage
memory component, not shown, is disposed, and the housing 32 is
fixedly mounted upon a standard 34 which, in turn, is fixedly
mounted upon a base or foundation unit 36. Housing 32 is provided
with a keypad 38, a reader 40, which may be, for example, a bar
code reader (BCR), an optical character recognition (OCR) reader,
or the like, and a display window or screen 42. A communication
link or line 44, similar to the communication link or line 20,
interconnects the club house computer terminal 12 to the tee unit
computer terminal 32, and in this manner, the information
concerning the participating golfer and his golf contest or
challenge participation, as originally appearing upon the ticket or
card issued by means of the club house computer printer 16, is
transmitted to the computer terminal 32 of the tee unit 30.
[0025] Accordingly, when the golfer is present upon the designated
par-three hole tee, if the card or ticket he or she received from
the club house computer terminal 12 is of the type comprising
alphanumeric information, he or she can insert such information
into the tee computer terminal 32 by means of keypad 38. On the
other hand, if the card or ticket contains a magnetic strip, bar
code, or the like, the golfer may simply insert the card or ticket
within the tee unit card reader 40. In either case, the computer
memory of the tee unit computer 32 will receive such inputted data,
compare such data with the information previously transmitted
thereto by means of communication link or line 44, and validate the
data so as to thereby permit the golfer to participate in the
challenge or contest. It is also noted that the card reader 40 can
accept credit cards, for example, whereby if a particular golfer
decides to enter the contest or challenge, but did not previously
pay his entry fee, if required, while he or she was in the club
house, the particular golfer can nevertheless enter or participate
in the contest or challenge. In either case, the display window or
screen 42 provides verification to the golfer that his or her
information has been properly entered into and validated by the
system and that he or she is therefore cleared to proceed with his
or her tee shot in connection with the contest or challenge. In
addition, the information concerning the particular golfer and his
associated validated information is transmitted back to the club
house computer terminal 12 by means of the aforenoted communication
link or line 44 whereby suitable information concerning the
particular golfer can be displayed within the club house upon a
suitable display or board 46 whereby, for example, people within
the club house can be aware and keep track of the status of the
particular con-tests or challenges, display or board 46 being in
communication with the club house computer terminal 12 by means of
a suitable communication link 48. It is lastly noted that both the
display window or screen 42 at the tee, as well as the display or
board 46 within the club house, can also display advertising
material when not being used in connection with the display of
contest or challenge information.
[0026] Substantially simultaneously with, and a result of, the
aforenoted verification and validation of the participating
golfer's credentials at the tee unit or sub-system 30, the tee unit
or sub-system 30 will activate a green unit 50 through means of a
communication link or line 52, and it is seen that the green unit
50 comprises several different units or components which are
located upon and adjacent to the green of the predetermined or
preselected par-three hole of the golf course. The tee unit or
sub-system 30 will maintain the green unit 50 active for a
predetermined period of time sufficient enough for the golfer
present at the tee area to hit his tee shot, for the tee shot to
reach the green area, and for the various units or components of
the green unit or sub-system 50 to detect the presence of the tee
shot upon the green. The green unit or sub-system 50 is
schematically illustrated within FIG. 1, while the details of the
green unit or sub-system 50 are illustrated within FIGS. 3 and
4.
[0027] More particularly, the first component of the green unit or
sub-system 50 comprises a cup member 52 which is similar to a
conventional golf course green cup defining a golf course green
hole, however, the cup member 52 of the present invention has been
modified for the purposes of the present invention. The cup member
52 is fixedly mounted within the ground 54 so as to be disposed
below ground level 56, and inside the cup member 52, there is
disposed an inclined ramp or surface member 58. At the lower end
portion or side of the inclined ramp or surface member 58, there is
provided a substantially semi-circular recessed portion or pocket
60. In this manner, when a golf ball enters the cup member 52,
regardless of the circumferential position at which the golf ball
initially enters the cup member 52, the ball will roll under the
influence of gravity toward the recessed portion or pocket region
60 so as to be seated therein. The lowest point of the recessed
portion or pocket region 60 has operatively associated therewith a
photodetector aperture 62, in connection with which there is
provided a suitable photodetector, not shown, and accordingly, when
a golf ball enters the cup member 52, its presence can in fact be
readily detected by means of the photodetector. Accordingly, when,
for example, the tee shot of a participating golfer enters the cup
member 52 and is detected by means of the photodetector, the
photodetector can readily verify the status of the tee-shot as a
hole-in-one. In order to maintain the cup member 52 free of any
accumulated rain water, for example, the cup member 52 is further
provided with a plurality of drain holes, only one of which is
shown at 64. It is also to be appreciated that in lieu of a
photodetector, any other suitable means may be employed within the
cup member 52 for detecting the presence of the golf ball there
within, such as, for example, a suitable solenoid mechanism.
[0028] Still further, a flag pole holder assembly is provided for
use in connection with the cup member 52, and the flag pole holder
assembly comprises a base member 66 fixedly mounted within the
lower portion of the cup member 52. The lower end portion of the
flag pole is disclosed at 68 and extends vertically upwardly from
the base member 66, and the lower end portion 68 of the flag pole
is fixedly mounted within a substantially frustoconically shaped
support member 70 which is adapted to be removably mounted within a
similarly shaped aperture portion 72 formed within the central
portion of the base member 66. The upper surface portion of the
base member 66 is seen to comprise a major portion of the inclined
ramp member or surface portion 58, and in a similar manner, when
the flag pole support member 70 is properly mounted within the base
member aperture 72, the upper surface portion of the flag pole
support member 70 likewise forms a minor central portion of the
inclined ramp member or surface portion 58. A printed circuit board
74 is operatively associated with the aforenoted photodetector, not
shown, and suitable electrical connectors 76,78 are operatively
mounted upon the base member 66 and the flag pole support member
70. Electrical connector 78 is in turn elecrically connected as at
80 to a suitable communication unit or transmitter, not shown,
which is adapted to communicate with a computer unit integrally
incorporated within the green unit or sub-system 50. It is thus
readily apparent that the entire cup 52 and flagpole assembly 68
comprises, in effect, an integral unit which may be moved from
location to location upon the green of the particularly or
predeterminedly designated par-three hole as is conventionally done
by means of golf course greens-keeper personnel.
[0029] It is further noted that green unit or sub-system 50 is, in
turn, adapted to be disposed in communication with the club house
computer terminal 12 by means of a communication link or line 82,
and in this manner, for example, hole-in-one results occurring at
the particular or predetermined par-three hole green may be
transmitted to the club house computer terminal 12 such that the
results may be recorded within the memory of the club house
computer 12 as well as being displayed upon the aforenoted display
or board 46 within the club house such that people in the club
house can be aware of the contest or challenge results in a manner
similar to people checking the leader board at nationally televised
golf tournaments. In addition, such results are also transmitted
back to the tee unit 30 by means of communication line or link 52
for display upon screen 42 so as to inform the golfer of the
results of his or her tee shot, and such results are likewise
transmitted from the club house computer 12 to the central computer
18 by means of the communication line or link 20. It is also noted
that in connection with all of the equipment or communication
components comprising the present invention, electrical power may
be provided by means of conventional power lines and facilities
adjacent to or upon the particular golf course, or alternatively,
the various components comprising the entire system 10 may be
provided with electrical power by means of suitable rechargeable
batteries, not shown, incorporated within the various units of the
system. For example, batteries may be physically incorporated
within the base unit 36 of the tee unit 30, or within a particular
one of the components of the green unit 50, the details of which
will be more fully explained hereinafter.
[0030] With reference still being made to FIG. 1, it is further
seen that in accordance with the teachings and principles of the
present invention, a plurality of cameras 84, 86,88,90 are disposed
within the vicinity of both the tee and green regions of the
particular predetermined par-three hole of the golf course upon
which the contest or challenge is being conducted in order to not
only monitor the contest or challenge, but in addition, to
accurately measure the distance of the various tee shots which land
upon the green area as effective entries within the contest or
challenge. More particularly, the first one of the cameras 84 is
adapted to be disposed within the vicinity of the tee area and has
operatively associated therewith a camera controller 92 which is
operatively connected to the tee unit 30 by means of a suitable
communication line or link 94. The camera controller 92 is, in
turn, operatively connected to the camera 84 by means of a suitable
communication line or link 96, and in this manner, the camera 84
can be activated by means of the tee unit 30 when the participating
golfer initiates the operation of the tee unit 30 by means of his
credentials. In particular, camera 84 may be utilized to, for
example, televise and videotape the outbound tee shot of the
participating golfer with respect to the tee area. Obviously, the
televised flight of the golf ball tee shot can be viewed back in
the club house upon the display or board 46, or suitable television
monitors, not shown, such that, again, people within the club house
can be aware of the status of the particular golfers participating
within the various contests or challenges.
[0031] In a similar manner, the second one of the cameras 86 is
adapted to be disposed within the vicinity, but just outside, of
the green area so as not to interfere with the incoming tee shots,
and has operatively associated therewith a camera controller 98
which is also operatively connected to the tee unit 30 by means of
a suitable communication line or link 100 so as to be activated by
means of the tee unit 30 in preparation for a tee shot to be
shortly made by a participating golfer. The camera controller 98
is, in turn, operatively connected to the camera 86 by means of a
suitable communication line or link 102, and in this manner, the
camera 86 can be activated by means of the tee unit 30 so as to be
utilized to, for example, televise and videotape the inbound tee
shot of the participating golfer with respect to the green area.
Obviously, again, the televised flight of the golf ball tee shot
can be viewed back in the club house upon the display or board 46
or upon suitable television monitors, not shown, such that people
within the club house can be aware of the status of the particular
golfers participating within the various contests or
challenges.
[0032] Continuing still further, the third one of the cameras 88 is
also adapted to be disposed within the vicinity, but just outside,
of the green area so as not to interfere with the incoming tee
shots, and has operatively associated therewith a camera controller
104 which is also operatively connected to the tee unit 30 by means
of a suitable communication line or link 106 so as to be activated
by means of the tee unit 30 when the participating golfer has
activated the tee unit 30. The camera controller 104 is, in turn,
operatively connected to the camera 88 by means of a suitable
communication line or link 108, and in this manner, the camera 86
can be activated by means of the tee unit 30 so as to be utilized
to, for example, continuously televise and videotape the green area
from a panoramic perspective or point of view. More particularly,
the third camera 88 serves two functions. Firstly, camera 88
provides visual security with respect to the entire green area,
particularly in combination with the first and second video cameras
84,86, so as to effectively prevent any fraudulent disposition or
appearance of any golf balls upon the green area other than those
legitimately shot from the tee area by means of the participating
golfers. Secondly, third camera 88 can detect the presence of tee
shots which have landed, for example, upon the outskirts or
peripheral regions of the green whereby such tee shots can in fact
qualify for prizes which have not landed upon the green within
predeterminedly specified distances from the cup, or which have not
been holes-in-one, and data concerning such on-the-outskirt green
tee shots can be transmitted to the computer integrally
incorporated within the green unit 50. Again, the images of third
camera 88 can also be transmitted back to the club house for
viewing by the public upon display or board 46, or television
monitors, not shown.
[0033] Lastly, the fourth camera 90 is also adapted to be disposed
within the vicinity, but just outside, of the green area so as not
to interfere with the incoming tee shots, and has operatively
associated therewith a camera controller 110 which is also
operatively connected to the tee unit 30 by means of a suitable
communication line or link 112 so as to be activated by means of
the tee unit 30 when a tee shot is about to be driven by means of a
participating golfer. The camera controller 110 is, in turn,
operatively connected to the camera 90 by means of a suitable
communication line or link 114, and in this manner, the camera 90
can be activated by means of the tee unit 30 so as to be utilized
to, for example, televise and videotape the disposition of the tee
shots of the participating golfers upon the green area and with
respect to the hole or cup 52. Most importantly, the camera 90
comprises suitable computer programming which enables the camera 90
to accurately measure the respective distances of the various golf
ball tee shots from the hole or cup 52. Again, the video images of
fourth camera 90 can also be transmitted back to the club house for
viewing by the public upon the display or board 46, or upon
auxiliary television monitors, not shown.
[0034] As can be better appreciated from FIG. 4, both of the
cameras 88,90 are mounted upon a vertical standard 116 located off
to one side of the green 118 and can be respectively controlled by
means of their camera controllers 104,110 so as to achieve tilt
adjustments as schematically indicated by means of the
double-headed arrow T as well as panning adjustments as
schematically indicated by means of the double-headed arrow P.
Camera 88 can therefore be suitably adjusted so as to in fact
properly encompass the entire field of view, as schematically noted
by the arrows F, of the green whereby detection of tee shots upon
the outskirts or peripheral regions of the green can be achieved.
Camera 90 is further able to achieve zoom-in/zoom-out movements
whereby, for example, when the camera 90 is disposed in its
zoom-out mode, the camera 90 is capable of encompassing or viewing
a relatively wide field of view as denoted by means of the arrows
Z/O, whereas when the camera 90 is disposed in its zoom-in mode,
the camera 90 is capable of encompassing or viewing a relatively
narrow field of view as denoted by means of the arrows Z/I.
Accordingly, when the camera 90 is disposed in its zoom-out mode,
and is also moved in its tilting and panning modes T,P, it is
capable of in effect viewing the entire green area 118 so as to be
able to detect the particular location or placement of the cup or
hole 52 and the associated flag pole 68. As is well-known in golf,
the cup or hole 52, and the associated flag pole 68, are moved,
upon a predetermined cyclical basis as conventionally determined by
means of golf course management personnel, between different green
positions or locations 52,52',68,68'. Accordingly, in properly
positioning or orienting the camera 90 in connection with a current
round of golf and the particular contest or challenge, the
zoom-out, panning, and tilting modes permit the camera 90 to in
fact be initially calibrated by detecting the current position or
location of the cup or hole 52,52' and the flag pole 68,68'. Once
the cup or hole 52,52' and the flag pole 68,68' have in fact been
detected, the camera 90 is locked in such position with respect to
its tilting and panning movements T,P, with the cup and pin
location effectively centered within the camera's field of view,
and subsequently, the camera 90 is shifted to its zoom-in mode
whereby the camera 90 will then view that area of the green
120,120' which surrounds the cup or hole 52,52' and the flag pole
68,68' and within which the tee shots must land to be considered
valid entries in the closest-to-the-pin contest. It is to be noted
that while the camera 90, for example, has been noted or described
as being a video camera, any other similarly operative visual or
optical implement can of course be employed as long as such is
capable of, for example, visually measuring or determining the
distances of the golf ball tee shots from the cup or hole
52,52'.
[0035] One mode of operation that is contemplated in accordance
with the use of such distance-measuring video cameras 90 is to
incorporate appropriate or suitable software therewithin which
effectively superimposes, for example, a geometrical grid over the
viewed green area 120,120' wherein, as is known, the grid comprises
rows and columns of pixels. As is further well known, since there
is a finite number of pixels per inch, when the software of the
camera determines the number of pixels that exist, for example,
between the particular golf ball detected upon the defined green
area 120,120' and the cup or hole 52,52', such information can be
readily converted into distance measurements. The camera 90 and its
software can of course differentiate or distinguish between the
different golf balls upon the green area 120,120', and their
relative positions with respect to each other, whereby the
particular location or distance of each golf ball from the cup or
hole 52,52' can be readily determined, put into the memory of the
computer of the green unit 50 for transmission, in turn, back to
the tee unit 30 for display upon the screen 42, as well as into the
club house computer 12, the club house display monitor or board 46,
and the like. Such information can of course be transmitted from
the camera 90 to the club house computer 12, as well as to the
central computer 18, by any wired or wireless links or lines
similar to those previously discussed in connection with the
various connections defined, for example between the club house
computer 12, central computer 18, the tee unit 30, the green unit
50, and the like. Still further, it is to be understood that in
lieu of the aforenoted pixel-grid distance measuring format,
suitable ultrasonic, triangulation, or similar techniques may
likewise be employed. Sensors may even be employed to detect
predetermined frequency signals transmitted from the golf
balls.
[0036] Thus, it may be seen that in accordance with the principles
and teachings of the present invention, there has been disclosed a
new and improved golf tee shot-green placement monitoring and
measuring system wherein, in addition to the provision of a
plurality of cameras for monitoring the outbound tee shot from the
tee, the inbound tee shot to the green, and a panoramic view of the
green to ensure the valid placement of tee shots upon the green,
including contest-winning tee shots that have landed upon an
outskirt or peripheral region of the green, a fourth camera is
provided for actually facilitating or accomplishing the measurement
of the distances of tee shots, which have landed upon the green,
from the cup or hole in conjunction with a closest-to-the-pin
contest or challenge among participating golfers. The camera is
initially calibrated in a zoom-out mode so as to detect the
presence and location of the cup or hole, and its associated pin,
the camera is then positionally locked upon such location with the
cup or hole, and the associated pin, at the center of the camera's
field of view, and the camera is then operated in a zoom-in mode
such that the camera's field of view is now narrowed to a region of
the green within which the tee shots must be placed in order to be
valid entries into the closest-to-the-pin contest or challenge. In
addition to the aforenoted on-the-green and closest-to-the-pin
contests or challenges, the apparatus or system of the present
invention also comprises hole-in-one detection components.
[0037] Obviously, many variations and modifications of the present
invention are possible in light of the foregoing teachings. It is
therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended
claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as
specifically described herein.
* * * * *