U.S. patent application number 13/214574 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-14 for networked sports simulator and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to HOLIDAY GOLF INTERNATIONAL, INC.. Invention is credited to Jon Bricker, Michael Jacobson, Robert Kirk, Alan C. Moyer.
Application Number | 20120149458 13/214574 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46199901 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120149458 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moyer; Alan C. ; et
al. |
June 14, 2012 |
NETWORKED SPORTS SIMULATOR AND METHOD
Abstract
A sports simulator network with reward potential. In one
embodiment, the system includes a first sports simulator and a
second sports simulator. The simulators are configured to allow a
plurality of participants to play a sports scenario upon payment.
Each participant of the sports simulators achieves a score for the
sports scenario. The first sports simulator is configured to
communicate with the second sports simulator to determine a winner
with a best score for the sports scenario between the first sports
simulator and the second sports simulator. When this happens, at
least a portion of the cumulative amount of the payments is
aggregated to pay a reward to the winner.
Inventors: |
Moyer; Alan C.; (Fort Wayne,
IN) ; Bricker; Jon; (Fort Wayne, IN) ; Kirk;
Robert; (Midvale, UT) ; Jacobson; Michael;
(Fort Wayne, IN) |
Assignee: |
HOLIDAY GOLF INTERNATIONAL,
INC.
FORT WAYNE
IN
|
Family ID: |
46199901 |
Appl. No.: |
13/214574 |
Filed: |
August 22, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61375975 |
Aug 23, 2010 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 13/798 20140902;
A63F 13/812 20140902; A63F 2300/558 20130101; A63F 13/46 20140902;
G07F 17/32 20130101; A63F 2300/5513 20130101; A63F 2300/5593
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/25 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A sports simulator network with reward potential, the system
comprising: a first sports simulator configured to allow a
plurality of participants to play a sports scenario upon payment of
a first sum, wherein each participant of the first sports simulator
achieves a score for the sports scenario; a second sports simulator
configured to allow a plurality of participants to play the sports
scenario upon payment of a second sum, wherein each participant of
the second sports simulator achieves a score for the sports
scenario; wherein the first sports simulator is configured to
communicate with the second sports simulator to determine a winner
with a best score for the sports scenario between the first sports
simulator and the second sports simulator; and wherein at least a
portion of the cumulative amount of the first sum and the second
sum are aggregated to pay a reward to the winner.
2. A computerized method for providing a reward based on a game of
skill, the method comprising the steps of: storing a contest
expiration time representing a time when a contest will expire;
receiving an amount of a first payment from a first participant;
receiving a first score representing a result from the first
participant playing a game of skill; receiving an amount a second
payment from a second participant; receiving a second score
representing a result from the second participant playing a game of
skill; determining a rank of the first participant and the second
participant based on the first score and the second score; in
response to the contest expiration time expiring, paying a monetary
value to either the first participant or the second participant
based on the rank.
3. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising
instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform a method
comprising the steps of: associating a plurality of sports
simulators with a contest that provides an aggregate award based on
at least a portion of payments received from a plurality of
participants to play on the plurality of sports simulators; storing
on a data storage device, a contest expiration time representing a
time when the contest will expire; determining an aggregate reward
amount for the contest based on payments received to play on the
plurality of sports simulators; receiving over a communications
network, a plurality of scores representing results from the
plurality of participants playing on the plurality of sports
simulators; determining a highest rank representing a participant
of the plurality of participants with a highest score; and in
response to the contest expiration time expiring, paying a monetary
value to a participant with the highest score.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/375,975 filed Aug. 23, 2010, which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to sports
simulators; in particular, the invention relates to sports
simulators that can be networked together for players to
participate in a contest for an aggregated reward; in some
embodiments, this may aid in charities fund raising efforts.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Sports simulators are well known. There are a variety of
existing simulators, including golf, baseball, soccer and other
sports. One existing type of golf simulator displays a photograph
or computer generated image of a golf course or driving range on a
projector screen. The players hit golf balls into the screen. When
this happens, the simulator calculates the expected distance and
trajectory of the player's ball using sensors, such as by tracking
the ball flight and/or player's club head motion. The ball's
expected flight is then shown on the projector screen. This allows
players to simulate play on a golf course or simulate practice in a
driving range. An advantage of these golf simulators is the ability
to play at any time of day or night, during inclement weather, or
in places with limited space that would not be conducive to golf.
Other types of golf simulators, both indoors and outdoors, allow
players to simulate play on a golf course. Although many of these
simulators allow multiple players to play a course together on a
single simulator, there is no way to compete for a reward against
other players on other simulators.
SUMMARY
[0004] According to one aspect, the present invention provides a
golf simulator network with reward potential. In one embodiment,
the system includes a first golf simulator and a second golf
simulator. The first golf simulator and the second golf simulator
are configured to allow a plurality of participants to play a golf
scenario upon payment of a first sum and a second sum,
respectively. Each participant of the golf simulators achieves a
score for the golf scenario. The first golf simulator is configured
to communicate with the second golf simulator to determine a winner
with a best score for the golf scenario between the first golf
simulator and the second golf simulator. When this happens, at
least a portion of the cumulative amount of the first sum and the
second sum are aggregated to pay a reward to the winner.
[0005] According to another aspect, the invention provides a
computerized method for providing a reward based on a game of
skill. The method includes the step of storing a contest expiration
time representing a time when a contest will expire. A first
payment and second payment are received from a first participant
and a second participant, respectively, to play a game of skill. A
first score and a second score are received that represent a result
from the first participant and the second participant,
respectively, playing the game of skill. The rank between the
participants is determined based on the scores. When the contest
expiration time expires, a monetary value is paid to either the
first participant or the second participant based on the rank.
[0006] According to a further aspect, the invention provides a
non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising
instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform a method.
A plurality of sports simulators are associated with a contest that
provides an aggregate award based on at least a portion of payments
received from a plurality of participants to play on the plurality
of sports simulators. A contest expiration time representing a time
when the contest will expire is stored on a data storage device. An
aggregate reward amount for the contest is determined based on
payments received to play on the plurality of sports simulators. A
plurality of scores are received over a communications network
representing results from the plurality of participants playing on
the plurality of sports simulators. A highest rank is determined
that represents a participant of the plurality of participants with
a highest score. When the contest expiration time expires, a
monetary value is paid to a participant with the highest score.
[0007] Additional features and advantages of the invention will
become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of
the following detailed description of the illustrated embodiment
exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as
presently perceived. It is intended that all such additional
features and advantages be included within this description and be
within the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The present disclosure will be described hereafter with
reference to the attached drawings which are given as non-limiting
examples only, in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is block diagram of an example golf simulator that
could be used to operate the reward module according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is block diagram of an example network of golf
simulators that could be used to operate the reward module
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the reward module according to
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing two example golf
simulators at time T1 and time T2; and
[0013] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example process that could
be used according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views. The components in the figures
are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon
illustrating the principals of the invention. The exemplification
set out herein illustrates embodiments of the invention, and such
exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the
invention in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] While the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible
to various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary
embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the
drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be
understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the concepts
of the present disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on
the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications,
equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope
of the disclosure.
[0016] This invention generally relates to a sports simulator that
may network with other sports simulators so that a plurality of
participants may compete across the simulators for an aggregated
reward. Generally speaking, participants would pay a fee to
participate in a game or other competition on a plurality of
networked sports simulators. A portion of the participant's fee to
enter the competition could be allocated toward an aggregate reward
that would accumulate among the networked sports simulators. As
more participants play in a game or competition, the potential
reward would increase. A "realtime" leadboard and reward total
could be linked with the simulator to alert the participant (and
other potential participants) to parameters relating to the
competition, such as the amount of the current reward, the score of
the current leader, and the time remaining for the competition. The
competition would pit the participants at the various sports
simulators against each other to potentially win a reward. As the
system is based on a game of skill rather than luck and is unique
in the variety of awards and prizes (the payout or reward) that can
be selected by the location or hosting organization, the prize
component of the system is generally thought to be legal in any
jurisdiction. Although a golf simulator is discussed herein for
purposes of example, embodiments are contemplated in which the
simulator may be for other sports or other skill games, including
but not limited to baseball, soccer, basketball and hockey.
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a diagrammatic representation of an
example golf simulator 100 in the example form of a computer system
that may be programmed with a set of instructions to perform any
one or more of the methods discussed herein. The set of
instructions could be a computer program stored locally on the
device that, when executed, causes the device to perform one or
more of the methods discussed herein. In some embodiments, at least
a portion of the set of instructions could be stored remotely such
that, when executed, causes the device to perform one or more of
the methods discussed herein. In embodiments where the computer
program is locally stored, data may be retrieved from local storage
or from a remote location via a network. Embodiments are
contemplated in which the sports simulator, which in this example
is a golf simulator 100 may operate in the capacity of a server or
a client machine in server-client network environment, or as a peer
machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.
Although only a single golf simulator 100 is illustrated in FIG. 1,
the term "golf simulator" shall also be taken to include any
collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set
(or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of
the methods discussed herein.
[0018] The golf simulator 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a
processor 102 (e.g., a central processing unit ("CPU")), a memory
104, a video adapter 106 that drives a video display system 108
(e.g., a projector system, a liquid crystal display ("LCD") or a
cathode ray tube ("CRT")), an input device 110 (e.g., a keyboard,
mouse, touch screen display, etc.) for the user to interact with
the program, a disk drive unit 112, a network interface adapter
114, and one or more sensors 116 to detect movement of the golf
ball and/or the participant's swing. Note that various embodiments
of the simulator will not always include all of these peripheral
devices.
[0019] The disk drive unit 112 includes a computer-readable medium
118 on which is stored one or more sets of computer instructions
and data structures embodying or utilized by a reward module 120
described herein. An indoor golf simulator that may be suitable for
use with the reward module 120 includes, but is not limited to, the
Elite.TM. Simulator by Holiday Golf USA of Midvale, Utah.
Embodiments are contemplated in which the golf simulator could be
used outdoors are a driving range. For example, a stall in an
outdoor driving range could be outfitted with the video display
system 108, such as an LCD monitor on one of the stall's walls,
that would show the simulated hole to be played. By way of another
example, a tee box on a golf course may be outfitted with sensors
for sensing a player's swing and the simulated hole could be shown
on a nearby display or on the player's cellular phone, which would
act as the video display system 108. In the context of an outdoor
driving range or tee box on an actual golf course, the sensor(s)
could include, but is not limited to, the FlightScope.TM. Launch
Monitor by EDH of Orlando, Fla. This would allow the ball flight to
be projected on the video display system 108 in the outdoor driving
range or tee box based on the parameters sensed during and/or after
the swing, such as the ball flight and/or swing path and/or swing
speed. This sensed data could be fed as input data into a golf
simulator, such as the simulator software associated with the
Elite.TM. Simulator. The computer instructions and data structures
may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the
memory 104 and/or within the processor 102 during execution thereof
by the golf simulator 100; accordingly, the memory 104 and the
processor 102 also constitute computer-readable media. Embodiments
are contemplated in which the reward module 120 may be transmitted
or received over a network 122 via the network interface device 114
utilizing any one of a number of transfer protocols including but
not limited to the hypertext transfer protocol ("HTTP") and file
transfer protocol ("FTP"). The network 122 may be any type of
communication scheme including but not limited to fiber optic,
wired, cellular, and/or other wireless communication capability in
any of a plurality of protocols, such as TCP/IP, Ethernet, WAP,
IEEE 802.11, or any other protocol. FIG. 2 shows an example network
of sports simulators, such as golf simulators in this example,
which was networked.
[0020] While the computer-readable medium 118 is shown in the
example embodiment to be a single medium, the term
"computer-readable medium" should be taken to include a single
medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed
database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one
or more sets of instructions. The term "computer-readable medium"
shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of
storing a set of instructions for execution by the golf simulator
and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the
methods described herein, or that is capable of storing data
structures utilized by or associated with such a set of
instructions. The term "computer-readable medium" shall accordingly
be taken to include, but not be limited to, solid-state memories,
optical media, flash memory, and magnetic media.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment with various
modules that may be included in the reward module 120. In the
embodiment shown, the reward module 120 includes a reward scenarios
module 200, a reward payout rules engine 202, and a reward
aggregation engine 204. For the purposes of this specification, the
term "module" includes an identifiable portion of computer code,
computational or executable instructions, data, or computational
object to achieve a particular function, operation, processing, or
procedure. A module may be implemented in software,
hardware/circuitry, or a combination of software and hardware. An
identified module of executable code, for example, may comprise one
or more physical or logical blocks of computer instructions that
may, for instance, be organized as an object, procedure, or
function. Nevertheless, the executables of an identified module
need not be physically located together, but may comprise disparate
instructions stored in different locations which, when joined
logically together, comprise the module and achieve the stated
purpose for the module. Indeed, a module of executable code could
be a single instruction, or many instructions, and may even be
distributed over several different code segments, among different
programs, and across several memory devices. Similarly, modules
representing data may be embodied in any suitable form and
organized within any suitable type of data structure. The data may
be collected as a single data set, or may be distributed over
different locations including over different storage devices.
[0022] The reward scenarios module 200 provides one or more
scenarios from which a participant may choose to play. For example,
the player may choose from a 9/18 hole competition,
closest-to-the-pin competition, a longest drive competition, a
longest putt competition, etc. In some embodiments, the participant
may customize the scenario as desired. Consider an example in which
the participant chooses a closet-to-the-pin competition. In order
to play this scenario, the participant may be required to pay a set
dollar amount for a pre-determined number of swings. In this
example, the participant may be able to choose the length of the
Par 3 hole to play, which gives this scenario an element of
strategy. For example, the participant could be presented with a
number of predetermined yardages from which to choose. For purposes
of example only, the participant could be presented with Option A:
90 yards, Option B: 120 yards, Option C: 150 yards, or Option D:
180 yards. In this example, each swing by the participant could be
regarded with a point value based upon the yardage that is chosen
and how close the ball came to rest from the hole. For example, a
longer hole may have a higher potential number of points, but be
more difficult to hit the green.
[0023] These points could be accumulated and when the participant
has completed the number of swings, his or her point total will
place them on the leaderboard for a payout at the end of the
competition. As discussed below, the leaderboard could be networked
with other golf simulators through the network 122 (which could be
in the same geographic location or remote geographic locations),
thereby allowing substantially real time scoring for participants
at other locations, potentially around the world. Also, because the
golf simulator 100 is networked, the participants will be able to
see the prize purse as it accumulates, in real time, based upon the
participation around the world. Every time someone competes, the
prize pool total will increase, illustrated on the leaderboard, as
a portion of all participant fees for a contest or scenario is paid
into the prize pool. Embodiments are contemplated in which a
participant could be provided with the leaderboard on a remote
device, such as a mobile phone. For example, the participant could
be provided with his or her ranking on a remote device so that they
will know if someone has overtaken them in the rankings and they
could then opt to play additional games.
[0024] The reward payout rules engine 202 determines the payout
allocation of the fee paid by participants. Consider an example in
which one or more charitable organizations use the golf simulator
for fund raising efforts. In that example, the participant may be
able to choose which charitable organization that should benefit
from his use of the golf simulator 100. In some cases, the selected
charitable organization might not only receive a percentage from
each participating player's use of the equipment, but the
organization and the player have the possibility of greater reward
through shared participation in the aggregated prize. In all cases,
cash prizes are only available where legal. In all other locations,
other rewards, such as free games or merchandise gift certificates,
could be available.
[0025] By way of another example, any location that utilizes indoor
or outdoor golf simulators can be linked via the installation of a
reward module into the system and earn revenue from use of the
system by participants. Having the system onsite enables the
hosting location to market the use of the system to local charities
for fund-raisers, with multiple charities participating with their
own fundraiser simultaneously. Locations with existing simulators
have an opportunity to earn more revenue, and locations that could
not justify a simulator installation now have an opportunity that
makes the installation of a simulator more economically feasible.
Simulator owners, with the installation of the reward module 120,
could be linked to all or selected simulators worldwide, opening
the door for innumerable marketing opportunities to increase their
current business or to justify establishing new locations. The
installation of a reward module 120 opens the door for unique
locations such as shopping malls where players can, for example,
play to win merchandise from the mall's tenants while at the same
time supporting (if they so desire and the mall program permits)
their selected local organization.
[0026] By way of a further example, the reward module 120 could
also be used in conjunction with outdoor golf simulators. Never
before has there been an opportunity for a golfer at a driving
range or other outdoor location to actually play a round of golf or
compete in various competitions utilizing a sensor system and
computer monitor that accurately portrays the actual ball flight
simultaneously while permitting play for prizes and benefitting a
charitable organization of choice. This program allows multiple
players at the same location, networked driving ranges worldwide,
and golf course contests networked between golf courses, to compete
for an aggregate prize in the same competition. This network of
driving ranges or golf courses allows for prize pools to escalate
to enormous proportions, potentially rivaling that of professional
tour event's prize pools. This creates an incentive for outdoor
driving ranges and golf courses to have an outdoor golf simulator
unit beyond the current incentive of offering a player the
opportunity to measure his or her drive or analyze his or her swing
on an ordinary launch monitor.
[0027] The reward aggregation engine 204 is configured to maintain
a "leaderboard" showing various ongoing parameters for the
scenario, such as the total points for the current leader, the
total aggregated prize amount, and the time remaining for the
competition. In some embodiments, these values may be stored in the
total reward parameters 206. To keep current on the status of other
networked golf simulators, the reward discovery module 208 could be
used to communicate the status with other golf simulators over the
network 122. By way of example, the rewards discovery module 208
could periodically send requests to other golf simulators on the
network to determine the "leaderboard." Embodiments are also
contemplated in which these values could be pushed to the rewards
discovery module 208.
[0028] FIG. 3 shows an example with two golf simulators connected
together through the network 122 at both time T1, which corresponds
with 47 hours left in the competition, and time T2, which
corresponds with 1 hour left in the competition. As seen in this
example, a common realtime "leaderboard" is provided in which the
current leader obtained 345,673 points. At time T1, the aggregated
prize is worth $5,958. Additionally, it can be seen that at time
T1, Golf Simulator 1 has collected a total of $3,345 (of which $333
went to a charity) and Golf Simulator 2 has collected $5,167 (of
which $516 went to a charity). The specific allocation of the
prizes between the aggregated award and charity could be handled by
the reward payout rules engine 202. In some embodiments where
charities are not involved, there would not be a charity
allocation. At time T2, it can be seen that additional participants
have increased the aggregated prize to $25,543, which will be
awarded to the leader when the competition ends. In this example,
at time T2, Golf Simulator 1 has collected total fees of $14,340
(of which $1,434 went to charity) while Golf Simulator 2 has
collected $22,151 (of which $2,215 went to charity). This provides
a profit for the operators of the golf simulators, while providing
both a substantial prize amount and a donation to a charity.
[0029] Consider an example of an event held at a golf course shown
in the flow chart of FIG. 5. In this example, a "closest to the
pin" competition could be held based on an a hole at an actual golf
course, with some participants playing on site at the golf course
and remote participants playing the hole at a remote location. A
device may be provided, such as a kiosk or computer nearby a tee
box or in a golf cart, for participants to enter the contest and to
collect money from participants, such as with a credit card reader
or cash intake system. Participants may provide contact
information, such as a phone number or email address, in the event
they win the reward (Block 500). In this example, a first
participant has entered the contest using a kiosk next a tee box of
the "closest to the pin" hole on the golf course and another
participant has entered the contest at a remote location, such as
at an indoor driving range. The first participant may swing and hit
their ball from the tee box, which would be detected by sensors
116. (Block 502). The first participant could view the simulated
flight of the ball on a display nearby the tee box, in the
participant's golf cart, or on the screen of the participant's
cellular phone, etc. (Block 504). Likewise, in some embodiments,
the remote participant may be able to view a "live feed" of the
first participant's shot at the remote location. The distance of
the first participant's simulated shot from the hole would be
recorded, either locally or sent to a remote computer. The second
participant could hit the ball from a remote location, which would
be detected by sensors 116 and a simulated flight of the ball may
be displayed nearby. Also, in some embodiments, a "live feed" of
the second participant's shot may be transmitted to be displayed at
a kiosk or other display near the first participant. The second
participant's distance from the hole could be sent to a central
computer to determine where the shot ranked on the leader board.
(Block 506). The ranking information could be provided to the
participants on a nearby display or on the screen of his/her
cellular phone. If the participants are ranked on the leader board,
and subsequently gets knocked off or goes lower in the rankings,
the system could send the participant an electronic message, such
as an email message or text message, notifying the participant of
other player(s) passing him/her in the rankings. (Block 508). This
would enable the participant to try the contest again to attempt a
higher ranking. If, at the end of the contest, the participant is
the leader, he/she will be paid the aggregate reward of all
simulators involved in the contest. (Block 510).
[0030] Although the present disclosure has been described with
reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, from the
foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain
the essential characteristics of the invention and various changes
and modifications may be made to adapt the various uses and
characteristics without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention.
* * * * *