Robot golf game

Apparatus for controlling a plurality of motions of a model sports-playing figure, which comprises:

• said plurality of motions including a first class of motions of said figure as an entirety and a second class of motions of portions of said figure;
• first means for controlling, said first means controlling motions of said first class on a two-dimensional plane;
• second means for controlling, said second means controlling motions of said first class in a vertical dimension;
• third means for controlling, said third means controlling motions of said first class in rotation about a vertical axis through said figure;
• fourth means for controlling, said fourth means controlling motions of said second class;
• means for supporting said figure, said means for supporting being located overhead said figure;
• and
• said means for supporting further comprising support for said first, second, third, and fourth means for controlling.

Apparatus for making a model figure stroke a ball to a cup, which comprises:

• means for locating said ball on a playing surface;
• said means for locating including a video camera and a microcomputer;
• means for positioning said model figure adjacent said ball;
• said means for positioning including said microcomputer;
• means for determining, cooperating with said means for locating and said means for positioning, for calculating a force and a direction of a stroke;
• said means for determining including said microcomputer;
• and
• means for making said model figure make said stroke with said force in said direction, whereby said ball moves proximately to said cup.

A method of causing a model figure to stroke a ball to a cup, which comprises:

• measuring a location of said ball on a playing surface in x, y, and z coordinates with a video camera;
• positioning said model figure in locational x, y, z coordinates;
• positioning said model figure in an angular coordinate that measures rotation of said figure from an axis;
• determining a magnitude for said stroke;
• and
• operating said model figure to make said stroke.

Apparatus for positioning a model figure, which comprises:

• means for measuring a location of said model figure on a surface in x and y coordinates;
• said means for measuring including a video camera;
• means for associating a z coordinate with each location of said model figure defined by said x and y coordinates;
• said means for associating including a microcomputer;
• means for positioning said model figure in said z direction according to said x and y coordinates when said location is occupied by said model figure;
• and
• said means for positioning including a plurality of stepping motors.