Method and system for implementing a closest to the pin challenge

• US 20050192124A1
• Filed: 03/01/2005
• Published: 09/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ultimate Golf Challenge, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ultimate Golf Challenge, Inc.
• Inventors: Lensing, Perry Robert, Zarza, Jason, Tetens, David Christian, Brehmer, David Lee
• Application Number:
  US11/068,672
• Publication Number:
  US 20050192124A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/405
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/807 Photo cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0605 Decision makers and devices using detection means facilitating arbitration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0616 Means for conducting or scheduling competition, league, tournaments or rankings

Abstract

A method is disclosed for facilitating a golf competition. The method includes providing a camera that is utilized to capture an image of a golfer in the act of striking a ball. The camera is also utilized to capture an image of the ball after the ball has come to rest. The distance between the ball and pin is evaluated.

Claims

1. A method of facilitating a golf competition, the method comprising:

providing a camera;

utilizing the camera to capture an image of a golfer in the act of striking a ball;

utilizing the camera to capture an image of the ball after the ball has come to rest; and

evaluating a distance between the ball and a pin.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising supplying the image of the golfer and the image of the ball for review over a computer network.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein supplying comprises supplying over the Internet.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising offering at least one of the image of the ball and the image of the golfer for sale.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

changing the placement of the pin to a second pin location;

utilizing the camera to capture an image of a golfer in the act of striking a ball;

utilizing the camera to capture an image of the ball after the ball has come to rest; and

evaluating a distance between the ball and the second pin location.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein providing a camera comprises providing a camera that is mounted so as to be rotatable.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein providing a camera comprises providing a camera having a connection to a gimbal structure.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a laser configured to assist identifying a location for pin placement.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein evaluating a distance comprises evaluating a distance relative to a plurality of substantially circular rings at a progressively varying distance from the pin.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein evaluating a distance comprises classifying based on the plurality of substantially circular rings.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising awarding a prize based on the distance.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising awarding a prize based on the distance relative to a plurality of distances associated with other golfers.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein at least one of the plurality of distances associated with other golfers was measured at a location remote from said golfer.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein providing a camera comprises providing a computer controlled globe-enclosed camera.

15. A system for facilitating a golf competition, the system comprising:

a camera configured to capture an image of a golfer in the act of striking a ball, the camera being further configured to capture an image of the ball after it has come to rest; and

a measurement system functionally engaged to the camera and configured to measure a distance between the ball and a pin.

16. The system of claim 15 further comprising a laser pointer for identifying a different location to which the pin can be moved.

17. The system of claim 15 further comprising a kiosk for interacting with the golfer prior to the act of striking the ball.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the kiosk is configured to receive credentials from the golfer.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the kiosk is configured to provide a copy of an image captured by the camera.

19. The system of claim 19, wherein the kiosk is configured to receive information from a magnetic card associated with the golfer.