Automatically-scoring mini-golf game
First Claim
1. In a game for players, of the type having a plurality of balls, a plurality of clubs for striking the balls, and a plurality of holes into which the balls may fall, and where scores are maintained, the improvement comprising:
- a ball-strike sensor associated with each respective ball,a transmitter associated with each respective ball, the transmitter being coupled to the ball-strike sensor of the respective ball for emitting a respective signal upon being struck by one of the clubs, the signal being unique to the respective ball, and distinguishable from signals of all others of the balls;
receiver means for receiving the signals, the receiver means including a receiving antenna and a signal identifying means for determining which of the balls has been struck;
processing means for calculating and keeping scores, the processing means being coupled to the receiver means;
ball-in-hole sensors, coupled to the processing means, for reporting presence of the ball in each of the holes; and
score-displaying means, coupled to the processing means, for selectively exhibiting a score of the respective ball.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A golf game uses radio signals from golf balls to signal to a central computer for automatic score-keeping by the computer. Sensors in each hole also send signals to the computer on the completion of each hole play for each golfer. The golf balls are distinguishable by the computer according to their radio frequencies or digital or other signal processing and coding encoding. The golf balls transmit struck by special golf clubs which incorporate magnets; the balls include magnetic or other corresponding sensors. Each player, upon starting the game, inputs his/her name or initials which action identifies the specific ball he/she has been assigned use on the course. Scores are reported optionally at each hole, and a final score is reported by the computer at the conclusion of play.
82 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. In a game for players, of the type having a plurality of balls, a plurality of clubs for striking the balls, and a plurality of holes into which the balls may fall, and where scores are maintained, the improvement comprising:
-
a ball-strike sensor associated with each respective ball, a transmitter associated with each respective ball, the transmitter being coupled to the ball-strike sensor of the respective ball for emitting a respective signal upon being struck by one of the clubs, the signal being unique to the respective ball, and distinguishable from signals of all others of the balls; receiver means for receiving the signals, the receiver means including a receiving antenna and a signal identifying means for determining which of the balls has been struck; processing means for calculating and keeping scores, the processing means being coupled to the receiver means; ball-in-hole sensors, coupled to the processing means, for reporting presence of the ball in each of the holes; and score-displaying means, coupled to the processing means, for selectively exhibiting a score of the respective ball. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. In a game using a plurality of clubs for striking a plurality of balls, the improvement comprising:
-
a ball-strike sensor associated with each respective ball; a transmitter associated with each respective ball, the transmitter being electrically coupled to the ball-strike sensor of the respective ball for emitting an electrical signal upon the club striking the ball, the signal being unique to the respective ball and distinguishable from signals of all others of the balls, whereby any of the plurality of balls may be identified upon being struck by a club. - View Dependent Claims (20)
-
Specification