System and Method for Viewing Golf Using Virtual Reality

• US 20120007885A1
• Filed: 07/14/2011
• Published: 01/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spatial Reality LLC
• Original Assignee: Charles D. Huston
• Inventors: Huston, Charles D.
• Granted Patent: US 9,344,842 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/633
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/19 Sporting applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

A system and method for viewing artificial reality (AR) messages on a golf course, where the messages are geo-referenced artificial reality words or symbols to indicate distances, tips, targets or other information to the golfer. Typically, the AR messages are geo-referenced to a fixed location on the golf hole, such as a hazard or green. Using the spectator'"'"'s chosen location as the viewing origin, an artificial reality message or object is inserted into the golfer'"'"'s perspective view of the golf hole. Outings and contests can be held even if the matches are separated by hours or days, and outcomes and information published to select groups or individuals.

Claims

1. A method of viewing a golf event in real time comprising:

determining the position of the golfer on a golf course using a GPS receiver;

comparing the positions of one or more features on said golf course with said golfer position;

rendering in real time an artificial reality (“

AR”

) message concerning said one or more features at said golf course;

viewing the AR message with the viewpoint from said golfer position, wherein said golfer'"'"'s position is not an overhead view of said golf event; and

selectively changing the viewpoint from said golfer position to another position.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said AR message is overlaid a photo image of a background environment.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said AR message is overlaid an artificial image of a background environment.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said AR message is transmitted to spectators.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein changing the view point of said AR message comprises changing the view point to the location of a feature.

6. A handheld device for assisting a golfer during the play of a golf hole comprising:

a display screen;

a GPS receiver for determining the position of the device on said golf hole;

a memory storing the location of one or more features of said golf hole;

a processor operable for comparing said position with the location of a feature to determine a distance;

a display operable to show the golfer'"'"'s perspective view of a background from said position to said feature; and

wherein with said golfer viewing said display of said perspective view of said background, an augmented reality message depicting said distance is imposed on said background.

7. The handheld device of claim 6, wherein said augmented reality message includes an indicator of the location of the feature in said golfer'"'"'s perspective view of said background.

8. The handheld device of claim 6, wherein said feature is a location on a green of the golf hole being played.

9. The handheld device of claim 6, wherein said background is an image.

10. The handheld device of claim 9, wherein said image is a photo digital image and said device includes a camera for capturing said digital image.

11. The handheld device of claim 6, wherein said background is an artificial rendering.

12. The handheld device of claim 6, wherein the memory includes a map of the golf hole being played, and said golfer can operate the device to display a plan view of said map on said display.

13. The handheld device of claim 6, wherein said memory includes a database having feature locations and a plurality of advertisements.

14. The handheld device of claim 13, wherein one of the plurality of advertisement is selected from the database and displayed on said perspective view of the background.

15. The handheld device of claim 14, wherein one of the plurality of advertisements is selected based in part on information related to said golfer.

16. A method of playing a golf hole using a handheld device accompanying a golfer, comprising:

determining a position of said device on said golf hole using GPS;

comparing said position with a green location of said golf hole to determine a distance between said position and green location;

displaying an image of a perspective view of said golf hole from said position towards said green location; and

imposing an augmented reality message on said image including said distance and a marker showing approximately the green location.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the displaying step includes retrieving from a memory a photographic image of said golf hole from said position.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the displaying step includes taking a digital image of said golf hole with a camera integral with said device.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the displaying step includes rendering an artificial background as said image.

20. The method of claim 16, including comparing said position with the location of a hazard to determine a distance between said position and said hazard, and imposing an augmented reality message on said image including said distance between said position and said hazard.

21. A method of displaying messages to a golfer during play of a golf hole, comprising the steps of:

a handheld device accompanying the golfer;

connecting with a server establishing communication between said device and said server;

communicating information concerning a feature from said device to said server;

displaying an image of said golf hole as a perspective view from a position of the device towards said feature on said golf hole;

displaying an augmented reality message on said image showing a location of said feature on said perspective view;

downloading another message from said server to said device; and

displaying said other message on said image.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said information is demographics and said other message is an advertisement deemed relevant to such demographics.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein said server includes information personal to said golfer and said other message is an advertisement deemed relevant to said personal information.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein said other message is an icon and the golfer can activate a purchase by selecting said icon.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein said other message is a coupon that can be selected and stored for later use on said device.