Digital verification of single stroke achievement
OwnerRenier Philliphus DU PLESSISinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A single golf stroke achievement is forensically validated with minimal observer influence by digitally or electronically identifying a golfer and a golf ball, producing video recordings of the golf stroke, a subsequent flight of the ball, and arrival of the ball (if this occurs) at a target area which contains a golf cup, and detecting and recording entry of the golf ball into the cup (if this occurs).
Claims26
A system of monitoring a stroke by a golfer who, with the stroke, drives a golf ball from a launch area towards a golf cup in a target area, the system including:
- (i) a golf ball identifier mechanism for detecting and recording at least one mark on a surface of the golf ball which is unique to the golf ball,
- (ii) a launch monitor which produces at least a video recording of the stroke at the launch area,
- (iii) at least one target monitor which produces at least a video recording of the target area, including the golf cup, at least for a defined first time period which is dependent on the time of the stroke at the launch area, and
- (iv) a golf cup monitor at the target area which detects a status change of or in the golf cup, or which produces at least one image of a status change of or in the golf cup.
A system of monitoring a stroke by a golfer who, with the stroke, drives a golf ball from a launch area towards a golf cup in a target area, the system including:
- (i) a device for recording the identity of the golfer;
- (ii) a mechanism for recording the identity of the golf ball, and
- (iii) at least one monitor for producing at least one video recording of the stroke, the launch area and the target area for a time period which is dependent on the time of the stroke.
A golf ball identifier mechanism which includes structure defining a golf ball path, an inlet to the golf ball path, an outlet from the golf ball path, and at least one sensor positioned to detect at least one mark on a surface of the golf ball as it moves along the golf ball path from the inlet to the outlet.
A golf ball identifier mechanism which includes at least one sensor for detecting at least one mark on, or for recording an image of at least a part of, a surface of the golf ball, and a storage device for storing data, related to such detection, produced by the sensor.
A golf cup structure which includes a hole liner with a mouth and a camera which in use is positioned below the mouth of the liner and which is orientated for producing a video record of events above the camera.
A method of controlling and monitoring play by a golfer who strikes a golf ball at a launch area thereby to drive the golf ball from the launch area towards a golf cup in a target area, the method including the steps of:
- (i) establishing an identity for the golfer;
- (ii) detecting at least one mark on a surface of the golf ball which is unique to the golf ball;
- (iii) if a first defined status prevails at the launch area and a second defined status prevails at the target area then allowing the golfer to play the stroke at the launch area;
- (iv) producing a first video recording at least of the golfer's stroke at the launch area;
- (v) producing a second video recording of the target area, including the golf cup, during a first defined time period which is dependent on the time of the golfer's stroke at the launch area, and
- (vi) monitoring the golf cup to detect a status change of or in the golf cup during at least a second defined time period which is dependent on the time of the golfer's stroke at the launch area.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.