Abstract:
A device for awarding a prize to a golfer for successfully making a predicted golf shot. A payment receiving device, a shot prediction input device and at least one camera are connected to a golf shot control computer. Also connected to the golf shot control computer is an image recording device and a viewing device. An operator views images recorded by the camera and compares those images to the predicted golf shot. If the shot successfully meets the prediction, a prize is dispensed to the golfer. The prize can be cash, a coupon or a physical item. In one preferred embodiment the prize is a new car if the golfer successfully predicts that he will get a hole-in-one.

Description:
[0001]    This invention relates to the game of golf, and in particular to devices used for awarding prizes to a golfer for successfully making a predicted shot. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The origins of the game of golf can be traced back over 500 years ago when the Scottish Parliament in 1457 recorded a ban on the game because it was seriously interfering with archery practice. However, the appeal of the game of golf could not be held back and over the years it spread to England, Ireland, the United States and is now virtually played all over the world. 
         [0003]    Golf itself is very old, but improvements in technology continuously have modified the game and improved the game. Golfers of the modern era are hitting the ball harder and further due to improved golf clubs. Automated distance measurement devices enable the modern golfer to always know exactly how far he is from the pin. Instructional videos and computer swing analysis programs are improving weekend hackers and making them better. 
         [0004]    However, although technology in continuously evolving, there is still room for improvement to make golf more enjoyable for the golfer. For centuries, as golfers have approached a hole they have only been able to joke with one another about the possible outcome of a shot. Maybe friendly bets within the foursome occur and if a great shot is made, the golfer can brag to his buddies or tell his family when he makes it home Sunday at dinner. 
       The Internet 
       [0005]    The Internet is a large network of interconnected computers that is sometimes referred to as a Wide Area Network (WAN). Initially developed by the United States Defense Department, it has expanded worldwide to a great variety of uses. A significant percentage of the population in the United States and in many other countries currently has access to the Internet and its use is growing rapidly. 
         [0006]    The Internet is used to advertise products. Many companies have WEB sites and encourage potential customers to “visit” these pages. Creation of WEB sites is a well-developed Internet business with a great many people and organizations offering to create WEB sites. Some WEB sites are static, i.e. there is no interaction between the user and the WEB site. However, there are many well-known techniques that permit the WEB site to be made active. These techniques permit an Internet server to change WEB pages as often as desired and they permit users to communicate with a processor associated with the WEB site. 
         [0007]    The technology also exists to establish a Local Area Network (LAN). A LAN is a network of interconnected workstations sharing the resources of a single processor or server within a relatively small geographic area. Typically, this might be within the area of a small office building. A suite of application programs can be kept on the LAN server. Users who frequently need an application can download it once and then run it from their local hard disk. 
         [0008]    An Intranet is a network connecting an affiliated set of users (usually limited to a specific community of interest) using standard Internet protocols, esp. TCP/IP and HTTP. Intranets, also known as internal Webs, are only logically “internal” to an organization. Physically they can span the globe, as long as access is limited to the defined community of interest. To draw a comparison, the World Wide Web comprises all HTTP nodes on the public Internet. An internal web may comprise all HTTP nodes on a private network, such as an organization&#39;s LAN or WAN. If the organization is a corporation, the internal web is also a corporate web. 
         [0009]    What is needed is a way to effectively award golfers a prize based on the outcome of a predicted golf shot. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention provides a device for awarding a prize to a golfer for successfully making a predicted golf shot. A payment receiving device, a shot prediction input device and at least one camera are connected to a golf shot control computer. Also connected to the golf shot control computer is an image recording device and a viewing device. An operator views images recorded by the camera and compares those images to the predicted golf shot. If the shot successfully meets the prediction, a prize is dispensed to the golfer. The prize can be cash, a coupon or a physical item. In one preferred embodiment the prize is a new car if the golfer successfully predicts that he will get a hole-in-one. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  shows a preferred embodiment utilizing Internet connectivity. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  shows a preferred credit card machine. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  shows a preferred input screen. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  shows another preferred credit card machine. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  shows a preferred embodiment utilizing hard wire connectivity. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  shows a preferred embodiment utilizing a cell phone for communication. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  shows a preferred embodiment utilizing a Local Area Network. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]      FIG. 1  shows a golfer hitting a golf ball off the tee at the tee box at a par  3  hole. The distance to the pin is approximately 145 yards. The golfer is attempting to hit the golf ball as close as possible to pin  4 , but with his ultimate goal is to hit a hole-in-one. Prior to approaching the tee, the golfer opted to gamble on the outcome of the shot by paying a fee via credit card machine  5 . Specifically, the golfer bet $5.00 that he would successfully score a hole-in-one. 
         [0021]    In one preferred embodiment, to place his bet the golfer submits a $5.00 credit card payment through credit card machine  5 . The credit card machine is programmed to transmit to a control computer that the $5.00 payment has occurred and that the golfer is predicting that he will make a hole-in-one. He then hits the golf ball off tee  6 . Video camera  8  is positioned to get a close up view of the golfer in order to clearly record his swing and the golf club contacting the ball. Camera  9  is positioned to view the tee box action and pin  4 . For example, camera  9  views the golf club striking the ball and the trajectory of the ball&#39;s flight through the air toward pin  4 . Camera  9  can also view the ball as it rolls towards the pin and if it rolls into the hole. Camera  10  is positioned near the green and is focused on the pin itself. Camera  10  can give a clear view of the golf ball as it rolls into the hole at pin  4 . In a preferred embodiment, credit card machine  5 , and cameras  8 - 10  are each solar powered. 
         [0022]    If he is successful in scoring a hole-in-one, the event will be recorded by cameras  8 - 10  and transmitted to the control computer. At the control computer an operator will be able to verify the golfer&#39;s claim that he made the hole-in-one. After his claim has been verified, the golfer will be rewarded with a payment. For example, in one preferred embodiment, if the golfer bet $5.00 that he would successfully score a hole-in-one, the appropriate prize payment would be $5000.00. 
       Internet Connectivity, Control and Monitoring 
       [0023]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , golf shot monitor website  22  has been uploaded onto server computer  21 . Cameras  8 - 10  and credit card machine  5  are all connected to the Internet. The connection can be a wired or a wireless Internet connection. Control computer  31  is also connected to the Internet. Control computer  31  includes monitor  33 . An operator is able to view golf shot images and golfer predictions by looking at monitor  33 . 
         [0024]    In a preferred embodiment, when a payment is made via credit card machine  5  information is transferred from credit card machine  5  via the Internet to server computer  21 . The transferred information includes the fact that a payment was made and the amount of the payment. Website  22  on server computer  21  is programmed to automatically turn “on” cameras  8 , 9 , 10  after payment has been made. After cameras  8 ,  9 ,  10  have been turned “on” an operator at control computer  31  can monitor the payment process as it occurs. Also, after cameras  8 ,  9  and  10  have been turned “on” images recorded by the cameras are transferred immediately via the internet to server computer  21  where they are accessible in real time via website  22  the images are also stored on the hard drive of server computer  21  for later review. The images can be monitored via control computer  31  also in real time and stored on the hard drive of control computer  31 . 
       Preferred Method of Monitoring Golf Shots 
       [0025]    In a preferred embodiment, a golf shot monitoring company arranges with a golf course to install cameras  8 - 10  and credit card machine  5  at a predetermined hole. Preferably the hole is a par  3  hole so that the golfer would have a chance of scoring a hole-in-one. The cameras and credit card machine are arranged as described above in reference to  FIG. 1 . Computer connectivity is arranged as described above in reference to  FIG. 2 . The monitoring company installs website  22  onto server computer  21  and monitors website  22  via control computer  31 . Preferably, a human operator is positioned near computer  31 . He can review golf shots reported by cameras  8 - 10 . 
       Preferred Method for Golfer to Report Hole-in-One 
       [0026]    In one preferred method after the golfer makes his payment via credit card machine  5  a paper receipt is printed out from credit card machine  5 . The receipt includes a unique transaction ID number and the date and time of the transaction. It further includes the phone number of the golf shot monitoring company employee positioned near computer  31 . If the golfer hits a hole-in-one, he then calls the phone number of the golf shot monitoring company employee on his receipt. The employee will then verify the transaction ID number, the time and date, and the footage of the shot reported by cameras  8 - 10 . If the golf shot monitoring company employee determines that a hole-in-one was made, then the golf shot monitoring company will issue a check to the golfer. 
         [0027]    Likewise if the golfer does not make a hole-in-one, no payment is made to the golfer and the $5.00 is retained by the golf shot monitoring company. In a preferred embodiment, the golf shot monitoring company retains 15% of the collected payment and transmits 85% to the golf course. 
       Optional Shot Selection 
       [0028]    In another preferred embodiment the credit card machine  5  includes touch monitor screen  37  ( FIG. 3 ). Touch monitor screen  37  is an interface that allows the golfer to specifically identify the type of shot he is trying to do. For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , after inserting his credit card screen  37  appears as shown. If the user wants to try for the hole-in-one he can touch the top button where a $5.00 payment will result in a $5000 prize. If the user wants to try for a shot within 3 feet of the pin he can touch the middle button where a $5.00 payment will result in a $50 prize. If the user wants to try for a shot within 5 feet of the pin he can touch the bottom button where a $5.00 payment will result in a $15 prize. As stated above, if the golfer hits his chosen shot successfully, he then calls the phone number of the golf shot monitoring company employee on his receipt. The employee will then verify the transaction ID number, the time and date, and the footage of the shot reported by cameras  8 - 10 . If the golf shot monitoring company employee determines that the shot was successfully made, then the golf shot monitoring company will issue a check to the golfer. 
       Long Hole Embodiment 
       [0029]    In another preferred embodiment cameras are set up to monitor the golfer&#39;s shot on a long hole. Multiple cameras  71 - 75  ( FIG. 6 ) are positioned to adequately cover the tee box and fairway. After the golfer pays via credit card machine  5 , the multiple cameras are turned “on” in a fashion similar to that described above. A prize will be issued based on the distance the golfer successfully hit the golf ball into the fairway. For example, a shot over 250 yards will receive a $50 cash prize (or $50 gift shop gift certificate) based on a $5 payment. A golf shot over 300 yards will receive a $200 cash prize (or $200 gift shop gift certificate) based on a $5 payment. 
       Other Optional Prizes 
       [0030]    Although it was stated above how the golfer is preferably rewarded with a cash prize having a value that adjusts in accordance with the amount the golfer paid, it is also possible to reward the golf other forms of prizes. For example, the golfer could be awarded a restaurant gift certificate or vouchers for discounted rounds of golf or vouchers for free rounds of golf. 
       Other Prizes and Coupons 
     Coupon on Back of Receipt 
       [0031]    In another preferred embodiment, the golf course can form a partnership with other businesses and for a fee allow the other businesses to purchase advertisement or a coupon to be printed on the receipt printed from credit card machine  5 . For example, a local restaurant could print a $5.00 coupon on the back of the receipt. 
       Sliding Prize Payout Scale 
       [0032]    Although the above preferred embodiments referred to a $5.00 payment at the credit card machine, it would also be possible to allow for a sliding payment option. For example, for a $1.00 payment the prize for a hole-in-one will be $1000.00. For a $3.00 payment the prize for a hole-in-one will be $3000.00. For a $10.00 payment the prize for a hole-in-one will be $10,000.00. 
       Golf Ball Included with Game Fee 
       [0033]    In another preferred embodiment, the credit card machine  5  includes a golf ball dispenser  53  ( FIG. 5 ). In this preferred embodiment, after the golfer makes a payment into credit card machine  5  a free golf ball is dispensed from dispenser  53 . This may encourage the golfer to try his luck at making the golf shot. 
       Automobile Prize 
       [0034]    In another preferred embodiment, instead of awarding cash, an automobile could be given for achieving the difficult hole-in-one shot. 
       Purchase of DVD of the Shot 
       [0035]    In another preferred embodiment, the golfer can purchase a DVD of his shot attempt from the golf shot monitoring company. For example, all golf shot attempts are recorded and stored on the hard drives of server computer  21  and control computer  31 . After his shot is complete, regardless of the outcome, the golfer can call the phone number on the back of his receipt to contact the golf shot monitor company. He can then request that a DVD be burned of his shot and mailed to him. Or the golfer can download the video of his shot for storage and viewing on his cell phone, personal laptop, home computer or other video viewing device. 
       Other Modifications 
     Cell Phone Connectivity 
       [0036]    In another preferred embodiment, the golfer can utilize his cell phone  93  ( FIG. 8 ) to contact the golf shot monitoring company to make a payment and to predict his shot rather than utilize a credit card machine. For example, a golfer approaching the tee shot ( FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 6 ) can dial the golf shot monitoring company directly. Or, if his cell phone has Internet connectivity the golfer can log on to website  22  via the Internet. He can then make a payment using his credit card number. Or, if he has established an account with the golf shot monitoring company he can deduct a payment from the account. The golf shot monitoring company will then turn “on” the cameras as described above. If the golfer is successful a payment can be made directly to his account. 
       Golfer Identifies Shot Embodiment 
       [0037]    In another preferred embodiment the golfer can identify a shot and then contact the golf shot monitoring company for payout terms if he is successful with his shot. For example, a golfer near the green may be a 40 foot chip shot away from the pin. His position is easily viewable via cameras  73  and  74  ( FIG. 6 ). The golfer can contact the golf shot monitoring company via a direct call or via Internet. The golfer can indicate the amount he would like to bet. An employee at golf shot monitoring company can review the golfer&#39;s position by viewing images transferred from cameras  73  and  74 . The golf shot employee can then indicate the prize money percentage to be paid if the shot is successful (i.e., the golfer successfully sinks the chip shot). If the terms are acceptable by the golfer and the golf shot employee, then the golfer makes a payment and takes the shot. If he is successful prize money is paid. 
         [0038]    This embodiment allows flexibility to the golfer and golf shot monitoring company and could be used on many types of different shots (i.e., the putt, or shot from the fairway). For example, the golfer can propose a different term such as at 94 yards out the golfer proposes that he can hit the golf ball so that it lands within 3 feet of the pin. For a $5.00 payment the golf shot monitoring company may offer a prize of $35.00 if the golfer is successful. Or the golfer may propose a term such as at 24 feet out the golfer hopes that he can sink the putt. For a $5.00 payment the golf shot monitoring company may offer a prize of $20.00 if the golfer is successful. As with the earlier examples, all shots are verified via camera(s). 
       Varying Number of Cameras 
       [0039]    Although  FIGS. 1 and 6  showed a specific number of cameras, it should be understood that a more or less cameras can be used. For example, if one camera is able to adequately view the tee box and the pin, then one camera would be sufficient to send verifiable images to the golf shot monitoring company. Likewise, if the hole is very long, if it&#39;s a foggy day, or if there are obstacles or bends in the course, more cameras would be necessary to cover the action. 
       Golf Shot Monitoring Company Scope 
       [0040]    The golf shot monitoring company can simultaneously monitor multiple holes on a single golf course. Additionally, the golf shot monitoring company can monitor multiple golf courses simultaneously. Connectivity is established through the Internet and through phone communication as describe above. 
       LAN Embodiment 
       [0041]    Optionally, a golf course may decide that it is more efficient to establish their own golf shot monitoring capability. In this embodiment, a LAN is established ( FIG. 9 ) and communication is sent via the LAN and through phone as described above. 
         [0042]    Although the above-preferred embodiments have been described with specificity, persons skilled in this art will recognize that many changes to the specific embodiments disclosed above could be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, although it was described above how images from cameras  8 - 10  are transmitted through the Internet to server computer  21 , it is also possible to have a control computer with a digital recording device located (for example, a DVR) next to the actual cameras. In this embodiment images are recorded directly onto the DVR for later review ( FIG. 8 ). In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the golf shot monitor controls payment, camera operation, and image verification all from control computer  87 . Therefore, the attached claims and their legal equivalents should determine the scope of the invention.