WO2021183697A1 - Electronic video sports game - Google Patents

Abstract

A VR video sports game app and computer hardware system having multiple software modules written to include elements associated with the hip hop culture and art movement to attract players in this movement including a sports field location module permitting the VR game to be played in the players home neighborhood, a persona selection module to permit VR imagery of a player to be that of hip hop personality or of the actual player, a commentary selection module permitting a commentary to speak in the language of a person from the hip hop culture, a third party sound/video module permitting access to a hip hop personality website or social site to obtain the personality's songs to be played during the game, an advertising/purchasing module permitting access to third party web sites for the purpose merchandise during the game, and a third party communication module permitting live chat with a fellow player also belonging to the hip hop culture movement.

Description

ELECTRONIC VIDEO SPORTS GAME

This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional patent application no. 62/987,389, filed on March 10, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by referenced in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention. This invention relates to video sports game systems and methods of play and, more particularly, playing selective video sports games incorporating elements of the hip hop culture in the design and play of the video sports games related to auto racing, baseball, basketball, boxing, disc golf, football, golf, grand prix racing, hockey, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, and volleyball games.

Prior Art. Simulated video sports games of all ilk were introduced in the mid-1980s and have become well known for many sports, including baseball, football, golf, soccer, tennis and other sports. The video sports games have established an entire industry known as eSports. Prior to the late 2000s the competition in playing the video sports games was largely between amateurs. However with increased popularity of live streaming professional gamers and spectatorship caused a significant rise in the number of persons who played video sport games. By the 2010s eSports had become a significant factor in the video game industry, with many game developers actively designing and providing funding for tournaments and other events. Each sport attracts video game players who play and/or know the particular sport well. One of the largest problems in the eSports game industry is how to attract new groups of players of the video sports game that may not be familiar or have much interest in the particular sport that is the subject of the video game. Most efforts to attract these persons have focused on improving the graphics of the game and/or including new features such as the introduction of professional athletes or celebrities in the sport.

Another advance in the video sports game industry is the use of virtual reality (VR) devices that permit the video game user to have a simulated experience that can be similar to or completely different from the real world. One application of virtual reality has been its use in video games. Currently, the VR environment is created using a projector-based VR system, an image-based VR system, or a desktop-based VR system. These standard virtual reality systems use either VR headsets or multi-projected environments to generate realistic images, sounds and other sensations that simulate user’s physical presence in a virtual environment. A person using VR equipment is able to look around the artificial world, move around in it, and interact with virtual features or items. One type of VR-style technology is called augmented reality (AR). AR is a type of virtual reality technology that blends what the user sees in their real surroundings with digital content generated by computer software. The additional software-generated images with the virtual scene typically enhance how the real surroundings look in some way. AR systems layer virtual information over a camera live feed into a headset or smart glasses or through a mobile device giving the user the ability to view three-dimensional images. Another type of VR technology is called mixed reality (MR) or sometimes referred to as extended reality (XR). MR is the merging of the real world and virtual worlds to produce new environments and visualizations where physical and digital objects co-exist and interact in real time. Networked VR technology is often times referred to as cyberspace. For purposes of this invention, the term “VR systems” includes all of the current and future developed VR technology equipment and devices to create a VR simulated experience.

While these efforts have achieved some success there remains in the industry the need to find other ways to attract new video game players who do not have past playing of the sport or have not learned the intricacies of the sport. This has been particularly true of the popular traditional sports. Although there are many persons familiar with these sports, there remain millions of people that have never played any type of sport or developed an interest in learning the rule of engagement, much less playing video sports games.

There are multiple cultures in the world made up of millions of persons who know little of the sports world or have not had incentive to learn about selective sports. One such culture is the hip hop culture which over the past 50 years has grown to include millions of people worldwide. A video sports game that is designed to be attracted to and marketed to persons making up part of a particular culture would be highly desired by the eSports game industry. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Objectives of the Invention. It is one objective of the invention to have a video sports game system and method for playing video sports games that are attractive to both gamers and non-gamers, particularly persons who form part of a particular culture, such as the hip hop culture or pop culture, and, in particular a system for playing an electronic video golf game and a method used to play the electronic video golf game.

It is another objective of the invention to augment a video sports game by programming the system to permit playing the game in a non-traditional environment familiar to the player.

It is still another objective of the invention to construct a video sports game system by programming the ability of the player to create his/her own player characteristics.

It is a further objective of the invention to construct a video sports game system by programming the ability for multiple players to remotely virtually play together in a team, one-on- one, tournament format or other similar competitive golf formats.

It is an objective of the invention to construct a video sports game system by incorporating a social media platform to permit player to communicate with one another during the playing of the virtual golf game.

It is another objective of the invention to have a sports VR simulating system whereby digitally rendered fields and courses of play can be virtually played within an actual neighborhood of the player.

It is another objective of the invention to have a sports simulating system whereby digitally rendered fields and courses of play can be resized to a smaller area whereby the real-world rendition can be augmented virtually and mapped over any locality specific to, but not limited to, an urban area.

It is still another objective of the invention to program the virtual video sports game system constructed having in-app hyperlinks to third party sites, such as an artist’s website or social media platform to permit streaming of the artist’s music to the sports simulating system. It is yet another objective of the invention to provide a search engine in embodiment that produces search results specific to player profiles geographical localities and course locations.

It is another objective of the invention to allow third party streaming services to play different genres of music according to the players preference.

It is still another objective of the invention to connect a player with a virtual pro who can provide instructions and assistance to the player during the course of play.

It is yet another objective of the invention that provides rewards to the game players (e.g., enhanced abilities, better equipment, etc.) for excellent play.

These and other objectives and advantages of the invention shall be inherent from the ensuing descriptions of the invention.

Brief Statement of the Invention. A method for playing a golf game in a golf simulating system, comprising a virtual video game system for playing a golf video game utilizing a virtual golf ball, and a virtual tee box, virtual fairway, and a virtual putting area having a virtual hole configured to be augmented with an actual urban landscape where a user plays the golf game by traveling through the urban landscape; striking the virtual golf ball from the virtual teeing area; tracking a position of the virtual golf ball from the virtual tee box to the virtual fairway or the virtual putting area until the virtual golf ball is positioned in the virtual hole on the virtual putting area; and calculating a golf score based on the number of strikes of the virtual golf ball until the virtual golf ball is positioned in the virtual hole.

In a preferred embodiment the invention is a free downloadable video game mobile application constructed utilizing Unity software language, is compatible with IOS and Android operating systems, and is designed to incorporate features of the hip hop and/or pop cultures, by integrating Google Maps API/SDK open sources with virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technology. In a more preferred embodiment the electronic video game mobile application will be an electronic video golf game mobile application.

In a still more preferred embodiment the electronic video golf game system comprises a computer inputted with a Unity based software application programed having one or more software modules operatively integrated with the software application selected from the group including a Golf Competition module, Course Selection module, a Weather Selection module; a Course Location module, a Virtual Pro module, a Persona Selection module, a Commentary Selection module, a Third Party Sound/Video module, an Advertising module, a Third Party Communication module, and a Club Selection module; one or more data input devices operatively connected to the computer to input selected data to the computer; one or more visual display monitors operatively connected to the computer to display images as directed by the computer; and one or more speakers operatively connected to the computer to emit sound as directed by the computer.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention the golf video game utilizes multiple virtual golf balls to permit multiple players can play the golf game with one another. It is preferred that the golf video game system further comprises a social networking platform to permit players to email and share data with each other using the platform.

In still another alternate embodiment of the invention the golf video game utilizes a virtual player who strikes the virtual golf ball wherein the virtual player may be modified in appearance. In a preferred embodiment the virtual player can be modified in appearance to resemble a pre-set character recorded in an image capture data base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 is a schematic of the elements included in a preferred embodiment of the golf video game.

Figure 2 is a schematic drawing of a typical golf course layout.

Figure 3 illustrates a representative view of a large city center city landscape.

Figure 4 is a schematic of the inner city street layout of Sidney, Australia indicating parking along the streets depicted.

Figure 4 A is the text from the lower left corner of figure 4 reproduced for legibility.

Figure 5 is a schematic of the inner city street layout of London, U.K. indicating inner city park areas.

Figure 6 is a schematic of the Harlem inner city street layout in New York City. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although the detailed description of the system of this invention utilizes golf to describe the use of the virtual video sports game system of this invention it would be obvious to one skilled in the art of designing and writing software for video sports games that the system of this invention can be adapted for use with auto racing, baseball, basketball, boxing, football, golf, grand prix racing, hockey, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, and volleyball games and other similar competitive sports.

The origins of golf are unclear and much debated. But it is generally accepted that modern golf developed in Scotland from the middle ages onwards. However, the game did not find international popularity until the late 19th century, when it spread into the rest of the United Kingdom and then to the British Empire and finally to the United States. As a result of its history and as seen in Figure 2 golf requires significant green space for the course layout. Such green space is less likely to be available in areas such as those seen Figures 3-6 where many persons in the hip hop culture live. Actually, throughout its history laws were passed that prohibited the playing of golf in the streets of urban areas. As a result, many people who lived in such densely populated urban areas and who did not readily have the means to travel to or play golf on a course in many cases did not develop a liking or passion for the game of golf.

As is graphically illustrated in Figure 1, the golf video game system 1 comprises a computer 2 having a processing unit 2 A into which the game software is loaded, a data storage unit 2B into which data used to play the game is loaded and can be retrieved by the game software for use in playing the game. In addition the computer 2 includes a system bus 2C that electronically links various system components including a keyboard 3 or other known device to enter data or provide playing instructions to the game software, as well as one or more video monitors 4, 5 to visually see the video game action and one or more speakers 6, 7 to hear any audio produced by the software. In a preferred embodiment the video monitors 4, 5 may be VR headsets or multi- projected computer screens or mobile device screens to generate realistic images and sounds through their operatively attached speakers and other sensations that can simulate user’s physical presence in a virtual environment. The module software can be hardwired or remotely connected through Wi-Fi or other known communication devices operatively accessible by the game software. As further illustrated in Figure 1 the software utilized to play the golf video game system 1 includes a series of software modules 8-19 which may be incorporated in the processing unit software or operatively connected through known communication devices identified below. These modules may also include a separate data storage in which data related to the module function is stored or this data can be stored in the data storage of computer 1. These modules may further include communication means to permit connection by Wi-Fi of similar known means to third party media websites or live chats with competing players or live chats with a virtual player to exchange “trash talking” comments, preferably comments consistent with those used in the predetermined culture, such as hip hop. It is obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art that these modules 8-19 can be modified for use in other sport video games, such as those identified herein. Each of these software modules may be loadable into the computer processing unit or may reside outside of the computer 2 and be hard wired or Wi-Fi accessible to computer 2 by known hardware.

In a preferred embodiment the virtual video golf game several of the modules are modified to incorporate features that would be attractive to persons of a particular culture, such as the hip hop culture, who do not normally play golf so as to encourage them to want to play the virtual video golf game. More particularly, the Golf Course Location module 11, the Persona Selection module 13, the Commentary Selection module 14 and the Third Party Sound/Video module 15 can be utilized to add elements associated with a particular culture, such as the hip-hop culture.

One such group of people would include the persons who formed the hip hop culture. Hip hop is a culture and art movement begun in the 1970s by African Americans, Latino Americans and Caribbean Americans living in the Bronx borough of New York City. The culture is considered characterized by five key elements: (1) DJing, (2) MCing, (3) Break Dancing, (4) Graffiti, and (5) Beatboxing, but has evolved to include street entrepreneurship, hip hop language, and hip hop fashion. It is one embodiment of this invention to incorporate aspects of the hip hop cultural elements into the playing of the virtual video golf game.

In a preferred embodiment the game is played with the player first utilizing keyboard 3 (or if the game display 4 is a touch screen) to activate the Game Competition module 8 which operatively linking with processing unit 2A and Data Storage Unit 2B loaded with the game application software causes game display to list a series of different type golf competition formats. Using the Sport Competition module 8, the player determines if the game will be in a two-player scramble format, a skins game format, a stroke play format, a tournament format, or any other format in which golf is commonly played. If the video game relates to a sport other than golf, then module 8 would be modified to include game formats used in the other sport. The player then using the keyboard 3 or touch screen 4 selects one of the golf competition formats.

Next, the Course Selection module 9 is similarly activated to cause a list of various pre- loaded golf courses to appear on game display 4. In a preferred embodiment a player using the keyboard 3 or touch screen 4 can instruct the game software to connect by known communication systems to a third party golf course website to permit the player to review in detail the selected golf course.

With the course selection completed, Course Location module 10 is then activated causing a list of geographical virtual locations to appear on game display 4. If the golf course is well known one of the locations would be the actual location of the golf course. Using the Golf Course Location module 10 the player then selects where the course will be virtually played. As previously indicated, if the video game relates to a sport other than golf, then the playing fields used in the other sport would be listed rather than the golf courses. In a preferred embodiment if a VR system is being used, the system can be programmed to permit modification of the VR playing environment to include creations of new structures such as leaderboards, camera towers and other similar structures. It would be more preferable that such structures would be interactive with the VR playing of the game, such as the leaderboard would change every time the score of one of the players is posted, or a virtual commentator would make comments after a virtual golf shot was made.

Here it is worth mentioning that the golf course location module 10 is a function of a search engine feature that aides the players in finding other players profiles. The search engine also uses GPS technology and captures the coordinates of countries, cities, townships, zipcodes and physical address locations in correspondence to Google Maps API.

The Golf Course Location Selection module 10 is constructed to operatively connect with a known mapping site such as Google Maps that can then be used to identify the location that the selected golf course will be located. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the player can choose to virtually position the golf course holes in the player’s own neighborhood streets or in the urban streets of another municipality (see Figures 4-6) or in a local park known to the player. This feature will be attractive to a non-golfer and place the game action in an area better known to the player. If the player has selected the course be positioned in the player’s own neighborhood, the player can be directed to virtually tee off from the roof of a skyscraper and watch the virtual golf ball roll down the street, bounce off cars, or fall into a gutter. In one aspect of this feature, particularly if the player is using a portable, handheld computer the player can utilize known GPS tracking devices to physically walk from the spot the golf ball is struck to the position where the game indicates the golf ball ended up after the shot.

Next, the player using the Weather Selection module 11 selects from a list of weather conditions (raining, wind, temperature, etc.) the weather conditions that will be used in the simulated game play. In another embodiment the Weather Selection module 11 is programed to access a known weather website to obtain current weather information at the location of the player, and then simulates the current weather into the video game.

It is understood that the order of making the selections may be changed without impacting the virtual golf game. It is further understood that the functions of the various modules described herein could be combined with other of the modules into one module.

Once selecting the golf course location the player using the Virtual Pro module 12 selects whether the player desires to see and/or hear tips from predetermined comments and recommendations stored in data storage unit 2B or in a data storage unit of module 12 from a “virtual” pro regarding the player’s play. The tips and recommendations would be related to the particular sport being played. In still another embodiment the VR system may be programed to include a tutorial for the game of golf or a tutorial based on the performance of the player during play of the virtual game.

If the player desires to personalize the game, the player using the Persona Selection module 13 selects from a list of known persons (pro golfers, hip hop stars, etc.) whose imagery and/or persona is stored in a data storage unit 2B or which may have been uploaded to a storage cloud. The game software then creates the virtual player having the image and/or persona of the selected person. The player can create an arbitrary “virtual” imagery (e.g., an ogre, etc.) to represent the player or can select to use his own image that will be displayed in the game. In a preferred embodiment Module 13 software will be programmed to permit the automatic synchronization of end-users profiles from other social media platforms and thereby make the consumer acquisition process seamless. The creation of these images can be programmed into the Persona Section module 13 from known software and/or using known electronic devices. In another feature a player’s personal information may be used by the system for in-app geofencing analytics which may include collating information captured with information the player provides about him/her self.

Using the Commentary Selection module 14, the player can select to receive commentary relevant to the golf game being played from a “virtual” game announcer. In a preferred embodiment the game software will collect data regarding a virtual golf swing from a player and comparing that collected data to corresponding data from a predetermined “good” swing to select a predetermined commentary relating to the player swing.

Using the Third Party Sound/Video module 15, the player can select music genre (e.g., hip hop) to be played during the golf game. Using in-app hyperlinks to an artist’s website or to an application that hosts the artist’s music the computer can connect to a music artist’s website, social media page or third party streaming service that offers the artist’s songs or video. This music can be directed by the game software to be played through one or both of speakers 6, 7.

Using the Advertising/Purchasing module 16, the player can be linked to the website of social media pages to which the player has connected using the Third Party Sound/Video module 15. There the player may make direct purchases of merchandise from the websites or social media pages. Advertising/Purchasing module 16 operating in conjunction with the Monetizatoin module 19 may be automatically programmed to digitally place ads or graffiti on building and other structures in the playing area location that would be appropriate to attract the attention of a person associated with a particular culture such as hip hop, as well as to receive ads from any website or social media page to which the player has connected using Third Party Sound/Video module 15. Again, preferably the advertising would be designed and directed toward a person who is a person associated with a particular culture such as hip hop. In still another feature, the system may be programmed to maintain a list of all players, their scores and their contact information to permit a player to invite a desired player to join him in a VR golf video game. If multiple players will be participating in playing the VR video golf game, then using the Third Party Communication module 17 they can use their own computer and electronic equipment to operatively connect from anywhere in the world with computer 2 to participate in the cyberspace VR video game. In addition, Third Party Communication module 17 will contain a known chat room feature to permit the players to send messages to each other using their own cultural language.

Once the desired selections have been made and all players have electronically connected to the VR computer 2 to play the designated golf video game, the Equipment Selection module 18 is used to select the order in which the players will hit their “virtual” shot. In one preferred embodiment of the invention the “virtual” golf clubs are programmed to have certain capabilities, such as maximum distance the “virtual” golf ball will travel when struck by the “virtual” golf club. In a more preferred embodiment the three dimensional path taken by the “virtual” golf club can be displayed on a touch screen 4 and a player by tracing a movement on the screen 4 during the player’s swing can modify the amount and direction of “virtual” spin that will be imparted to the “virtual” golf ball depending on how and where the “virtual” golf ball was struck by the “virtual” golf club. Players can thus put back spin on the ball or spin to “virtually” cause the ball to be drawn or faded. In addition Players can be assigned programmed “virtual” golf clubs having different capabilities as one means to handicap the players or as a reward for past excellent play.

Play on the first hole is then continued by each player hitting in his/her designated order until all players have “virtually” stroked the “virtual” golf ball into the “virtual” golf hole on the “virtual” green. This playing procedure is repeated on each of the succeeding holes of the course until all golf holes have been played. In an alternate embodiment a player will select a “virtual” disc rather than a “virtual” golf club. In this alternate embodiment the virtual disc is virtually thrown using motions on a touch screen video monitor or from a video of the player imitating an actual disc throw similar to the actual throwing of a disc, such as used in Disc Golf. The game software from measurements of the motions on the touch screen or from a video of the player imitating an actual disc throw will calculate from pre-determined algorithms stored in the data storage unit 2B how far and in what direction the disc was thrown. Then from the “virtual” landing spot of the disc, the player will make a second throw using the same disc or a different disc “virtually” constructed to produce different distances and flight patterns than the initial disc. This procedure is continued until the player “virtually” throws the virtual disc into a virtual basket. Once the game play has been completed the total number of throws for each player is determined.

Finally, a golf score is calculated based on the number of strikes of the virtual golf ball until the virtual golf ball is positioned in the virtual hole. If desired, scoring could be changed from the normal times the golf ball is struck by the player to awarding points depending on what the virtual golf ball strikes after being struck by the player.

In another embodiment the system may include an AR game system and component whereby a player may simulate a virtual reality from anywhere, not just from the site of the actual location in correspondence to GPS coordinates. In some embodiments, the VR or AR game system is compatible with a virtual reality game system whereby the AR system can be separated or incorporated with the VR game system as an upgrade to the VR game system.

In another alternate embodiment the system 1 can further comprise a Monetization module 19. The owner of the game application can sell license rights to any third party to place advertisement on the virtual structures created by the game software. In a preferred embodiment upon activation of the game software, the software will create and place on the game display 4 asking a player if the player desires to license from the game application owner the right to place on the virtual structures located in one or more of the 42,000 zip codes that make up the United States. With that license the purchasing player/third party will be able to sublicense to others the right to place advertisement on virtual structures located specific residential or commercial addresses located within the licensed zip code or zip codes based in Google Maps API. Typically, the sublicenses will be for a specific term wherein the sublicense fee is paid monthly. In a preferred embodiment the monthly advertising subscription premiums will be scaled based on known data bases of real world pricing in the selected zip code. This arrangement has been labelled “Zipvertising.” In addition to the initial licensing fee the software application owner charges a service fee to the sublicensor (generally a percent of the sublicense fee) for each authorized sublicense to perform placing and maintaining the advertising on the virtual structures during the term of the sublease, as well as maintaining transactional records or other matters. Alternatively, the monthly advertising subscription premiums can be charged to the sublicensee. From the foregoing, it will be understood that various aspects of the processes described herein are software processes that execute on computer systems that form parts of the system. Accordingly, it will be understood that various embodiments of the system described herein are generally implemented as specially-configured computers including various computer hardware components and, in many cases, significant additional features as compared to conventional or known computers, processors, or the like, as discussed in greater detail herein. Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure also include computer-readable media for carrying or having computer-executable instructions or data structure stored thereon. Such computer- readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer or downloadable through communication networks. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer- readable media can comprise various forms of data storage devices or media such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EEPRROM, CD-ROM, DVD, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, solid-state drives (SSDs) or other data storage devices, any type of removable non-volatile memories such as secure digital (SD), flash memory, memory stick, etc., or any other medium which can be used to carry or store computer program code in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a computer.

When information is transferred or provided over a network or another communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to a computer, the computer properly views the connection as a computer-readable medium. Thus, any such connection is properly termed and considered a computer-readable medium. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media. Computer- executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions and data which cause a computer to perform one specific function or a group of functions.

Those skilled in the art will understand the features and aspects of a suitable computing environment in which aspects of the disclosure may be implemented. Although not required, some of the embodiments of the claimed inventions may be described in the context of computer- executable instructions, such as program modules or engines, as described earlier, being executed by computers in networked environments. Such program modules are often reflected and illustrated by flow charts, sequence diagrams, exemplary screen displays, and other techniques used by those skilled in the art to communicate how to make and use such computer program modules. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, functions, objects, components, data structures, application programming interface (API) calls to other computers whether local or remote, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular defined data types, within the computer. Computer-executable instructions, associated data structures and/or schemas, and program modules represent examples of the program code for executing steps of the methods disclosed herein. The particular sequence of such executable instruction or associated data structures represents examples of corresponding acts for implementing the functions described in such steps.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the claimed and/or described systems and methods may be practiced in network computing environments with many types of computer system configurations, including personal computers, smartphones, tablets, hand-held devices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, networked PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. Embodiments of the claimed invention are practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by local and remote processing devices that are linked (either by hardwired links, wireless links or by a combination of hardwired or wireless links) through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

An exemplary system for implementing various aspects of the described operations, which is not illustrated, includes a computing device including a processing unit, a system memory, and a system bus that couples various system components including the system memory to the processing unit. The computer will typically include on or more data storage devices for reading data from and writing data to. The data storage devices provide non-volatile storage of computer- executable instructions, data structures, program modules, and other data for the computer.

Computer program code that implements the functionality described herein typically comprises one or more program modules that may be stored on a data storage device. This program code, as is known to those skilled in the art, usually includes an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data. A user may enter commands and information into the computer through keyboard, touch screen, pointing device, a script containing computer program code written in a scripting language or other input devices (not shown), such as a microphone, etc. These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit through known electrical, optical, or wireless connections.

The computer that affects many aspects of the described processes will typically operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers or data sources, which are described further below. Remote computers may be another personal computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device or other common network node, and typically include many or all of the elements described above relative to the main computer system in which the inventions are embodied. The logical connects between computers include a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), virtual networks (WAN or LAN), and wireless LANs (WLAN) that are presented here by way of example and not limitation. Such networking environments are commonplace in office-wide or enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets, and the Internet.

When used in a LAN or WLAN networking environment, a computer system implementing aspects of the invention is connected to the local network through a network interface or adapter. When used in a LAN or WLAN networking environment, the computer may include a modem, a wireless link, or other mechanisms for establishing communications over the wide-area network, such as the internet. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the computer, or portions thereof may be stored in a remote data storage device. It will be appreciated that the network connections described or shown are exemplary and other mechanisms of establishing communications over wide area networks or the Internet may be used.

While various aspects have been described in the context of a preferred embodiment, additional aspects, features, and methodologies of the claimed inventions will be readily discernible from the description herein, by those of ordinary skill in the art. Many embodiments and adaptations of the disclosure and claimed inventions other than those herein described, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements and methodologies, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the disclosure and the foregoing description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the claims. Furthermore, any sequences(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes described and claimed herein are those considered to be the best mode contemplated for carrying out the claimed inventions. It should also be understood that, although steps of various processes may be shown and described as being in a preferred sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent a specific indication of such to achieve a particular intended result. In most cases, the steps of such processes may be carried out in a variety of different sequences and orders, while still falling within the scope of the claimed inventions. In addition, some steps may be carried out simultaneously, contemporaneously, or in synchronization with other steps.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the claimed inventions and their practical application so as to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the inventions and various embodiments and with various modifications, as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the claimed inventions pertain without departing from their spirit and scope. Accordingly, the scope of the claimed inventions is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description and the exemplary embodiment describe therein.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the inventions and their practical application so as to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the inventions and various embodiments and with various modifications, as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present inventions pertain without departing from their spirit and scope. According, the scope of the present inventions is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description and the exemplary embodiments described therein.

Claims

CLAIMS What I claim is:

1. A method for playing a virtual video golf game in a VR video golf game system, the method comprising: a. providing a VR video golf game system for playing a golf game utilizing a video golf game software creating a virtual golf course including at least one virtual golf hole, a virtual golf ball, a virtual tee box, a virtual fairway, and a virtual putting area having a virtual putting hole, and creating a virtual golf club; wherein the video golf game system comprises: i. a computer programed with a golf game software program having one or more modules selected from the group including a Golf Game Competition module, a Golf Course Selection module, a Weather Selection module; a Golf Course Location module, a Virtual Pro module, a Persona Selection module, a Commentary Selection module, a Third Party Sound/Video module, an Advertising/Purchasing module, a Third Party Communication module, and an Equipment Selection module; ii. a data input device operatively connected to the processing unit of the computer to input selected data or software instructionsto a processing unit of the computer; iii. one or more visual display monitor operatively connected to the processing unit of the computer to display images created by the video golf game software from data retrieved from the data storage unit of the computer or from the data input device as directed by the video golf game software loaded into the processing unit of the computer; and iv. one or more speakers operatively connected to the processing unit of the computer to emit sound downloaded from the data storage unit or from an exterior source operatively connected to the processing unit of the computer; b. striking the virtual golf ball from the virtual teeing area; c. tracking a position of the virtual golf ball from the virtual tee box to the virtual fairway or the virtual putting area until the virtual golf ball is virtually struck and ends up positioned in the virtual hole on the virtual putting area; and d. calculating a golf score based on the number of strikes of the virtual golf ball until the virtual golf ball is positioned in the virtual putting hole in the virtual putting area.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein steps b, c, and d are repeated for each of the virtual golf holes in the virtual golf course, and adding each of the golf scores on each of the virtual holes to determine a final golf score for playing the golf video game.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the virtual golf course is configured to be augmented to a known urban landscape where a user plays the golf game by traveling through the urban landscape

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the virtual tee box, the virtual fairway, and the virtual putting area are configured to represent a known golf course.

5. The method according to claim 3 wherein the golf video game converts the coordinates of the known golf course to a small area.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the golf video game system further comprises an AR system to simulate a virtual reality from anywhere.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the golf video game utilizes multiple virtual golf balls to permit multiple players to play the golf video game with one another.

8. The method according to claim 6 wherein the golf video game system comprises a social networking platform to permit players to emails and share data from each other using the platform.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the AR system is modified to permit placement of advertisements on structures in the augmented reality system.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein the golf video game utilizes a virtual player who strikes the virtual golf ball.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the virtual player may be modified in appearance.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the virtual player is modified in appearance to resemble a pre-set character recorded in an image capture data base.

13. A video golf game system for playing a golf game including a computer loaded with a golf game software programmed to create a virtual golf course including a virtual golf ball, and a virtual tee box, virtual fairway, a virtual putting area having a virtual hole, and a virtual golf club for striking the virtual golf ball, the golf simulating system comprising: a. the golf game software including programed having one or more modules selected from the group including a Golf Game Competition module, Golf Course Selection module,; a Golf Course Location module, a Weather Selection module, a Virtual Pro module, a Persona Selection module, a Commentary Selection module, a Third Party Sound/Video module, an Advertising/Purchasing module, a Third Party Communication module, and a Club Selection module; b. one or more data input devices operatively connected to the computer to input selected data to the computer; c. one or more visual display monitors operatively connected to the computer to display images as directed by the computer; and d. one or more speakers operatively connected to the computer to emit sound as directed by the computer.

14. The golf video system according to claim 13 wherein the one or more modules are selected from a group further comprising a Monetization module.

15. The golf video system according to claim 13 wherein a vertical disc is substituted for the virtual golf club and throwing of the virtual disc is substituted for the striking of the virtual golf ball by the virtual golf club.

16. A VR sports game system, the system comprising: a. a VR computer programed having one or more modules selected from the group including a Sport Competition module, Playing Area Selection module, a Weather Selection module; a Playing Area Location module, a Virtual Pro module, a Persona Selection module, a Commentary Selection module, a Third Party Sound/Video module, an Advertising/Purchasing module, a Third Party Communication module, and an Equipment Selection module; b. a data input device operatively connected to the VR computer to input selected data to the VR computer; c. one or more VR display monitors operatively connected to the VR computer to display VR images as directed by the VR computer; and d. one or more speakers operatively connected to the VR computer to emit sound as directed by the VR computer.

17. The VR sports game system according to claim 15 wherein the one or more modules is selected from the group further comprising a Monetization module.