# US 2018/0021652 A1 · Digital verification of single stroke achievement > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0021652 A1 - Document ID: US20180021652A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/548,929 - Filed: 2016-02-05 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2015-02-06 - Inventors: Renier Philliphus DU PLESSIS - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180021652A1 ## CPC - A63B 69/36: for golf - A63B 24/0021: {Tracking a path or terminating locations} - A63B 24/0059: {Exercising apparatus with reward systems} - A63B 43/008: {with means for improving visibility, e.g. special markings or colours (illuminating or reflecting means A63B43/06)} - A63B 71/0622: {Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user} - A63B 2024/0028: {Tracking the path of an object, e.g. a ball inside a soccer pitch} - A63B 2024/0031: {at the starting point} - A63B 2024/0037: {on a target surface or at impact on the ground} - A63B 2071/063: {Spoken or verbal instructions} - A63B 2220/12: Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS - A63B 2220/72: Temperature - A63B 2220/806: Video cameras - A63B 2225/15: with identification means that can be read by electronic means - A63B 2225/20: with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) ## 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). ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1 which includes a flight monitor which produces a video recording, at least, of a space above and adjacent the target area, and of the target area, at least for a defined second time period which is dependent on the time of the stroke at the launch area. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1 which includes a timing arrangement for controlling operation of, at least, the launch monitor, the target monitor and the golf cup monitor according to a predetermined timing schedule. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1 that includes a timing arrangement for recording on a time basis operation of at least the launch monitor, the target monitor and the golf cup monitor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1 wherein the launch monitor includes at least one camera that produces a video feed for a video recorder. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A system according to claim 5 wherein the launch monitor includes a global positioning system (GPS) unit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) A system according to claim 5 wherein the launch monitor includes a storage unit for storing, at least, data relating to the video feed. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1 which includes a central control unit and respective communication links between the launch monitor and the central control unit, the target monitor and the central control unit, and the golf cup monitor and the central control unit. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A system according to claim 8 that includes a communication link between the golf ball identifier mechanism and the central control unit. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) A system according to claim 2 that includes a central control unit and a communication link between the central control unit and the flight monitor. ### Claim 11 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. ### Claim 12 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. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A golf ball identifier mechanism according to claim 12 which includes at least one marking device and wherein the golf ball path is configured to direct the golf ball as it moves along the golf ball path into contact with the marking device whereby the marking device imparts an identifier mark to the surface of the golf ball. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) A golf ball identifier mechanism according to claim 12 wherein the at least one sensor is responsive to at least one mark on the surface of the golf ball, which mark is selected from the following: a dimple arrangement on the golf ball surface, a manufacturer's marking on the golf ball surface, a spatial relationship between a manufacturer's marking and a dimple arrangement on the golf ball surface, wear and tear marks on the golf ball surface, and at least one identifier mark which is applied to the golf ball surface as it traverses the golf ball path moving from the inlet to the outlet. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) A golf ball identifier mechanism according to claim 12 that includes a sensor arrangement for determining at least one of the following: the mass of the golf ball, the volume of the golf ball, and the density of the golf ball. ### Claim 16 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. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A golf ball identifier mechanism according to claim 16 which includes at least one marking device for applying at least one identification mark to the surface of the golf ball. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A golf ball identifier mechanism according to claim 17 wherein the at least one identification mark is applied to the surface at a random location on the surface. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) A golf ball identifier mechanism according to claim 17 wherein the at least one identification mark differs from an identification mark applied to any other golf ball by the marking device. ### Claim 20 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. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) A golf cup structure according to claim 20 that includes a transparent partition between the camera and at least part of the hole liner. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) A golf cup structure according to claim 20 that includes a flagstick mounting support. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) A golf cup structure according to claim 20 that includes a load sensor for providing a measure of the mass of an object that enters the hole liner. ### Claim 24 (depends on 20) A golf cup structure according to claim 20 that includes a communication module for establishing a communication link between, at least, the camera and an external control unit. ### Claim 25 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. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) A method according to claim 25 which includes the step of monitoring the target area to detect a status change of or in the target area during at least a third defined time period which is dependent on the time of the golfer's stroke at the launch area.