GB2294403A - Target golf - Google Patents

Abstract

A Target Golf range comprises a series of driving bays facing a realistic arena comprising golf greens and fairways extending to approximately 200 metres. In addition to the bays is a central control building housing monitoring computer equipment and service facilities. Balls struck by participants from the bays onto the combination of cameras and swing measurements and range are tracked to their final destination by a plotted in relation to known targets and the results converted by computers into graphic and digital data. Information on the swing plane, ball trajectory and distance are provided to the player to facilitate improvement. <IMAGE>

Description

TARGET GOLF 1. Introduction Target Golf is more than just a development of the concept of driving ranges. It produces not only accurate and informative practise facilities but also creates a sport in its own right.

Target Golf combines innovative use of simulation with video and laser tracking linked by analogue and digital canputers to give both numerical and graphical data to the participant on which a scoring system assesses performance.

2. Background Target Golf was devised by the joint inventors as a result of considerable research into driving ranges both in America and the U.K. Historically driving ranges have been extremely ill equipped facilities often no more than a covered area housing various bays fran which golf balls are hit to targets in an uncontrolled way. Even the most sophisticated to date have no means of judging the quality or distance of shot and it is not surprising, therefore, that with no measurement or penalty system the incorrectly struck shots are the norm with only perhaps 10% of all shots taken being accurate. In essence golfers who use driving ranges are, more often than not, practising their bad shots rather than their good ones since swing techniques are as much to do with muscle memory as skill.

The inventors therefore decided to devise a means by which the golf ball, when struck, could be tracked to its final resting place and to use that information firstly to provide a scoring system against known targets and secondly, to provide information to the participant indicating such items as trajectory, distance, run, swing and club plane and to utilise this information in both digital and graphic form.

Simulation techniques for indoor ranges already exist and these are used to assist potential purchasers of golf clubs to analyse whether a particular product is suitable for them. A derivation of that also exists in converting that information to video projections so that by hitting the ball to a screen the shot can be reproduced on that video screen against a background of known courses. All of the systems on the market use either photo-cell detectors or infra-red beams or a combination of both but none are used in real surroundings since they cannot cope with weather conditions, day, night and bad light problems and also the effects of wind. In essence whilst measurement at or near the point of impact is sufficient for simulation it cannot reproduce the true path of the golf ball which is affected by outside influences.

The key part, therefore, of Target Golf's invention is to link the measurement at or near the impact zone with a video tracking system located on the range.

By using analogue to digital computer programmes, the information gained at the point of impact from the various infra-red/photo-cell sensors, is passed to video tracking camera stations set on the range. The information from the sensors gives the video tracking system an approximation of the trajectory and time of arrival of the ball on the range and it is therefore possible for the video tracking system to identify each object and to pinpoint its arrival position and its final resting place. Knowing the positions of the individual targets on the range, the analogue complter can measure the distance of the arrived object in relation to those targets and can therefore allocate, if required, points to the accuracy of the shot.

This information is then converted back to the participant by means of a computer screen within the bay with a record being printed out at the end of the playing session.

An important aspect of the video tracking system is that having knowledge of the positions of all of the objects within the field of play and of the targets, it is perfectly possible to have a number of bays in simultaneous use since the link between the measurement at impact and the video tracking system allows multiple objects to be identified and also for existing objects within the field of play to be ignored.

It is not uncommon for a driving range to have several hundred golf balls sitting on the range between clean-up operations. All of these would be discounted by the analogue computer once their positions had been recorded and transmitted back to the participant. In this way only newly arrived objects in the field of play would be "live".

3. The Design In order to ensure that participants practised or played in real surroundings, it is envisaged that each target golf range would consist of a central console building with multiples of bays on either side, in front of which would be imitation fairways with target greens. Since and unlike normal golf courses, the target golf range would not be the subject of repetitive foot traffic, the construction of those fairways and greens would not need to be as well defined. It is envisaged that the fairways would slope upwards away from the bays and that the greens would be tilted towards the participant in order to improve visibility of the various shots. Target greens would be located at intervals representing known shot distances for common practise.The fairways would be undulating and well landscaped in order to replicate true golf appearance and conditions. In multiple bay situations the fairways could be separated by hazards such as sand waste areas or lakes since ball collection equipment exists which can take care of retrieval from those positions. The emphasis throughout would be on creating real conditions for practise.

As far as the bays themselves are concerned, it is felt that Target Golf would need a modern image, protected from the weather and it is suggested, though not exclusively, that the appearance could be as per the enclosed design drawings. These drawings show a typical 18 bay target golf range with the layout of the fairways and control buildings and bays. In this particular case canvas roofs over the bays are envisaged which would not only create a light and airy feel to the range but also an extremely attractive appearance, particularly at night.

4. Scoring System Once an accurate measurement of the golf balls position is produced, this information can be converted in various ways using graphic computer screens to allow the participant either to have a meaningful practise session or for individual and team sports to be played.

In practise mode the system would give the participant a whole variety of information including distances hit with various clubs together with the trajectory of the ball so that fade or draw techniques, for example, could be mastered. In addition the system would allow the golfer to understand more readily why certain types of shots occur and therefore to correct mistakes, this information could be amplified by video cameras located in each bay and by the presence of teaching staff as a training aid.

In a sporting mode, individuals or groups could participate against themselves or others on a points scoring basis based on accuracy and/or distance. In this way league tables could be devised and even a handicap system operated similar to main steam golf so that various levels of player could participate against each other. The membership computer system for each range could keep members records so that there is constant encouragement to improve.

Examples of typical computer graphic touch screens are attached illustrating the system and how this would be developed.

5. Summary of Claims Target Golf produces an accurate record and measurement of the trajectory distance hit and final resting place of any multiple of golf balls struck into an arena simultaneously and assesses those against known target positions to provide a new sport and/or purposeful practise.

Target Golf uses an innovative link between high density video tracking and point of impact measurements to obtain positional and trajectory information and to relay this to the participant via touch screens and analogue computers.

Incidential to this programme is the creation of visually true course conditions to replicate normal play.

APPENDIX COMPUTER GRAPHICS

TARGET GOLF MASTER MENU DO YOU WANT TO: 1. PLAY FOR SCORE 2. PLAY FOR PRACTICE 3. ARRANGE FOR VIDEO ANALYSIS 4. SCHEDULE A LESSON 5. SEE CALENDER OF COMING EVENIS 6. SEE MORE INFORMATION ENTER NUMBER: ~~~ AUG 25, 1993 7:32 RM BAY 15 Using touch screen technology, Target Golf computer system will guide customers, giving them simple questions and instructions.

Screen provides options for play.

If playing for score is selected, Screen 2 enquires how many are to play.

TARGET GOLF -PLAYING FOR SCORE HOW MANY ARE PLAYING? 1. ONE 2. TWO 3. THREE 4. FOUR 5. TEAM COMPETITION (OVER 4) 6. SEE MORE INFORMATION ENTER NUMBER: AUG 25, 1993 7:32 P.M. BAY 15 A

TARGET GOLF - PLAYING FOR SCORE PLEASE ENTER YOUR NAME OR MEMBERSHIP No.

************ ************ WELCOME (NAME) TO THE WORLD OF TARGET GOLF DO YOU WISH INSTRUCTIONS? ENTER Y FOR YES N FORNO ENTER LETTER: AUG 25, 1993 7:32 P.M. BAY 15 Screen 4 allows each user to be named and from then on a personal dialogue with the computer will be created. This screen also also identifies members.

Screen 4 is designed to record member information and to encourage better performances and repeat usage.

TARGET GOLF -PLAYING FOR SCORE MEMBER INFORMATION: YOUR HANDICAP IS : 9 YOUR LAST FIVE ROUNDS AND SCORING AVERAGES ARE 50 YDS 1005YDS 150 YDS 175 YDS 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 AVG: 99.9 99.9 99.9 99.9 PRESS C TO CONTINUE AUG 251993 7:32P.M.- BAY 15

TARGET GOLF - PLAYING FOR SCORE You have the option of hitting five practice balls before beginning the game. These shots WILL NOT be tracked by the TARGET GOLF system.

Do you wish to practice? 1. YES 2. NO AUG 25, 1993 7:32 P.M. BAY 15 No golfer likes to start from cold and Screen 5 therefore gives the option for five practice shots before beginning.

Screen 6 explains the rules and how the scoring system works.

This could be accompanied by voice over if required.

TARGET GOLF -PLAYING FOR SCORE You will be scored on ten shots per target Each shot has a maximum value of ten points. Points are awarded based upon distances to the center of each target and will vary based upon the target selected.

For example: 10 yards away from the target on the 150 Yard target is worth more than 10 yards away from the 50 Yard target, etc.

Each shot will be graphicallydisplayed along with the score awarded. At the conclusion of each target round, a summary creen will display statistical information for that particular target Upon conclusion of the game, a summary of all targets and scores will be displayed Aprinted record of your game will be optionally available and can be picked up at the control desk Press the ENTER key to begin the game. Good Luck and 4Hff 'EM STRAIGHT*'....

AUG25, 1993 7:32 P.M. BAY 15

TARGET GOLF - PLAYING FOR SCORE Select your first target at this time.

I 50 Yards 2. 100 Yards 3. 150 Yards 4 175 Yards 5. View Scoring Summary ENTER SECLETION: AUG25, 1993 7:32 P.M. BAY 15 Screen 7 allows each competitor to select various targets.

Remember Target Golf records accuracy as well as distance.

Screen 8 gives the competitor an instant readout of his succes and applauds good shots.

TARGET GOLF -PLAYING FOR SCORE 50 YARD TARGET

Your shot landed here and is awarded 8 points. Nice Shot!....

SHOT POINTS TalAL AVERAGE 1 4 4 4.0 2 8 12 6.0 AUG 25, 1993 7:32 P.M. BAY 15

TARGET GOLF - PLAYING FOR SCORE SCORING SUMMARY 50 100 150 175 YARDS YARDS YARDS YARDS 8 6 2 1 6 7 6 0 7 7 6 0 7 6 5 4 9 6 0 0 10 7 5 5 6 3 0 1 8 4 4 2 7 8 5 0 7 9 7 6 TOTAL POINTS 75 63 40 19 BY TARGET: TOTAL SCORE: 197

10 YARDS 9 8 . --- .. ..-. a 7 ,,, .. ..,, 6 5 4 El 3 2 1 eel 0 50 YARDS 100 YARDS 150 YARDS 175 YARDS El AUG 25, 1993 7:32 P.M. BAY 15 Screen 9 At the end of the game each player will have a visual record of his or her total scoring which will be transferred into membership records and be available as a print out from the control.

TARGET GOLF - PRACTICE Welcome to the Target Golf practice session! This session will enable you to measure distances by club. Distances are measured from the point of impact to the termination of the flight of the ball without regard for trajectory, (fading, hooking, rolling, etc.).

To change clubs enter the new club to be used on this screen, When finished, the Target G olf System will display a summary of your practice session.

1. Pitching wedge 2. Sand wedge 3. 1 Iron 4. 2 Iron 5. 3 Iron 6. 4 Iron 7. 5 Iron 8. 6 Iron 9. 7 Iron 10. 8Iron SELECT CLUB OR " S" FOR STATISTICS: 11. 9Iron 12. Driver 13. 2Wood 14. 3Wood 15. 4Wood 16. SWood 17. 6Wood 18. 7Wood 19. 8Wood 20. Other Target Golf also provides the option for individual practice sessions linked to tuition courses.

Charging will generally be on time used and will give options to check distance or accuracy.

Screen 10 is just one of a series of options.

etc TARGET GOLF w PRACTICE STATISTICS W SW 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 90 85 220 208 199 185 172 160 155 144 133 98 89 200 198 188 177 161 150 145 134 109 189 175 163 153 143 135 187 174 155 136 186 130 AVERAGE DISTANCES PER IRON 99 87 220 204 198.5 187 174.5 161.3 153.25 144 133.6 DR 2W 3W 4W SW 6W 7W 8W OT 259 230 208 100 180 250 228 210 109 178 256 212 175 255 256 AVERAGE DISTANCES FOR WOODS

1255.21229 1210 1104.5 177.6 1 1 1 1 1 1. CONTINUE PRACTICING 2. REQUEST PRINTOUT 3. END PRACTICE SESSION ENTER NUMBER: Screen 11 shows how a record of distance could be provided to each practice session.

The aim is to give the player true knowledge of his capacity with various clubs. It also encourages consistency G

Claims (7)

1. DS 696 TARGET GOLF SCHEDULE OF CLAIMS 1. TARGET GOLF combines video tracking with clubhead swing data to provide a measurement of the position and flight of a golf ball in relation to known targets.
2. 2. TARGET GOLF utilises this information via analog computers to provide visual and digital information to the user.
3. 3. TARGET GOLF provides a new sport for both team and/or individual participants.
4. 4. TARGET GOLF provides for improved training and practice.
5. 5. TARGET GOLF can deal with multiple objects struck simultaneously to a number of targets.
6. 6. TARGET GOLF provides a visually realistic arena in which to participate enabling players to focus on their shot making.
7. 7. TARGET GOLF does not require specialist equipment either in club type or golf ball.