Patent Publication Number: US-2023136449-A1

Title: Computer system for the video surveillance of at least one stage of a golf course

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention relates to a computer system and to a method. 
     PRIOR ART 
     Golf is a precision sport which is gaining increasing numbers of enthusiasts of all ages. 
     Equipped with clubs, golfers must hit a golf ball with a view to getting it into a golf hole. The aim of any player is to finish each golf hole in the fewest hits possible. 
     The golf hole is preceded by a teeing area, a fairway and a green. It is on the green that the golf hole to be reached is located. 
     One of the rarest golf shots is the hole-in-one, in which the ball ends up in the golf hole in a single shot from the teeing area. 
     To be verified and to qualify for a reward, the hole-in-one requires the presence of an official referee who checks, on the course, whether the conditions for validation of the shot have been met. This is why the hole-in-one is generally achieved in official golf competitions intended for professionals and semi-professionals. 
     There is therefore a need to make the possibility of playing a hole-in-one accessible outside official competitions without an official referee being required, while still allowing a reward to be obtained. 
     Document U.S. Pat. No. 5,102,140 describes a system in which a player interacts with a coin-operated machine before attempting a hole-in-one and potentially wins a reward in the event of success. The amount of the reward corresponds to the amounts input by previous players who failed to hit a hole-in-one. 
     In addition, this system allows the achievement of the hole-in-one to be recorded in the form of a video in order to allow a golf manager to verify the achievement of the hole-in-one. 
     Although this system allows a referee on the course to be omitted, it requires staff to view the video showing the achievement of the hole-in-one, and it takes time for the staff to find the correct moment in the video and to check that the conditions for validation of the shot have been met as an official referee would do. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The aim of the invention is to overcome this drawback. 
     Thus, the invention proposes a computer system and a method for video surveillance of at least one step of a golf course, which does not require an official arbiter or personnel to view the video showing the occurrence of the hole-in-one and validate the hole-in-one. 
     Thus, the invention provides a computer system for the video surveillance of at least one step of a golf course comprising at least one golf hole and at least one teeing area. The system comprises:
         video means for producing at least one video signal which represents at least one continuous image of at least the golf hole, the teeing area and all or part of the golf course step;   first electronic storage means for recording the video signal;   data communication means for transmitting the video signal to a computer network;   wherein the video means, the first electronic storage means and the data communication means are mounted on a support element.       

     The system further comprises video processing means, connected to the computer network, for
         determining, based on the video signal, a relative position of the golf hole with respect to the support element,   determining, based on the video signal, a relative position of the teeing area with respect to the support element,   detecting, based on the video signal, at least one golf ball played on the golf course step,   producing, based on the video signal, a trajectory signal which represents at least one trajectory of motion of the played golf ball, and   detecting the occurrence of a predetermined event involving the played golf ball based on the trajectory signal, the position of the golf hole and the position of the teeing area.       

     In a first particular implementation, the video processing means are further provided to
         provide a plurality of simulated or dummy trajectory signals which each represent a trajectory of motion of a simulated or dummy golf ball that would have been played from the teeing area to the golf hole;   compare the trajectory signal with all or some of the plurality of simulated or dummy trajectory signals; and   detect the occurrence of the predetermined event involving the played golf ball based, in addition, on at least one result of the comparison.       

     In one example of the first particular implementation, the system further comprises a pre-trained machine learning system for predicting the plurality of simulated or dummy trajectory signals based on the video signal. 
     In a second particular implementation, the system further comprises means for creating a play limit which traces a minimum distance from a teeing position of the golf ball before it is played and/or at least one region projected on the ground which delimits a region of an arrival position of the golf ball after it has been played, the video processing means being further provided to detect the occurrence of the predetermined event involving the played golf ball based, in addition, on the video signal. 
     In a third particular implementation, a chassis bears the support element, the chassis being mounted on wheels which allow the support element to be moved over the ground and which are lockable on the ground. 
     In a fourth particular implementation, the support element is provided with means for moving a portion thereof so as to extend or retract the support element with respect to the chassis or to the ground. 
     In a fifth particular implementation, the system further comprises electrical connection means provided so as to supply at least the video means, the first electronic storage means and the data communication means with power when the electrical connection means are connected an external electrical power source. 
     In a sixth particular implementation, the system further comprises electrical power supply means provided so as to supply at least the video means, the first electronic storage means and the data communication means with power, the electrical power supply means comprising a battery. 
     In a seventh particular implementation, the system further comprises an electronic payment terminal which is intended to be connected to the computer network and is provided to communicate with an electronic payment means so as to cause the video surveillance system to be operational for a predetermined time after the payment of a predetermined amount. 
     In a first example of the seventh particular implementation, the electronic payment means is a payment card. 
     In a second example of the seventh particular implementation, the electronic payment means is a smart wearable device equipped with technology and an application for payment. 
     The invention also covers a method for the video surveillance of a golf course comprising at least one golf hole and at least one teeing area. The method comprises:
         video means producing at least one video signal which represents at least one continuous image of at least the golf hole, the teeing area and all or part of the golf course step;   first electronic storage means recording the video signal;   data communication means transmitting the video signal to a computer network;   mounting the video means, the first electronic storage means and the data communication means on a support element; and   providing, in the computer network, video processing means,   the video processing means determining a relative position of the golf hole with respect to the support element based on the video signal,   the video processing means determining a relative position of the teeing area with respect to the support element based on the video signal,   the video processing means detecting at least one golf ball played on the golf course step based on the video signal,   the video processing means producing a trajectory signal which represents at least one trajectory of motion of the played golf ball based on the video signal, and   the video processing means detecting the occurrence of a predetermined event involving the played golf ball based on the trajectory signal, the position of the golf hole and the position of the teeing area.       

     Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the following description, which makes reference to the appended figures which show preferred embodiments of the invention, and which is provided only by way of non-limiting examples. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    shows a computer system for the video surveillance of at least one step of a golf course according to the invention. 
         FIG.  2    shows one particular implementation of the support mast of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    shows a video surveillance method according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     The figures are not necessarily to scale, in particular in terms of thickness, for the sake of illustration. 
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the video surveillance system  100  according to the invention is provided for the monitoring of a step  10  (also referred to as a “hole”) of a golf course which comprises at least one teeing area  20  (also referred to as the “tee off”) and at least one arrival area  30  which delimits at least one golf hole  40 . 
     To recall, a golf course generally comprises eighteen different steps. However, the invention applies to other configurations of a golf course without requiring substantial modifications. 
     In  FIG.  1   , the video surveillance system  100  comprises:
         video means  110 ,   first electronic storage means  120 ,   data communication means  130 , and   video processing means  140 .       

     In the example of  FIG.  1   , a computer network  50  is provided to interconnect the various elements of the video surveillance system  100 . 
     In  FIG.  1   , the video means  110  are provided to produce at least one video signal which represents at least one continuous image of at least the golf hole  40 , the teeing area  20  and all or part of the golf course step  10 . 
     In one example, the video means  110  comprise at least one fixed video camera whose field of view is wide enough to cover the entire golf course step  10  and beyond. Additionally, it is possible to make provision for the fixed video camera to be equipped with a zoom and a filter for stabilizing the image. 
     In one particular implementation of this example, the video means  110  comprise at least two fixed video cameras, one of which is focused on the teeing area  20  and the other of which is focused on the golf hole  40 . 
     In another particular implementation of this example, the video means  110  comprise at least three fixed video cameras, one of which is focused on the teeing area  20 , another of which is focused on the golf hole  40  and the last of which covers the entire golf course step  10  and beyond. 
     In  FIG.  1   , the first electronic storage means  120  are provided to record the video signal. 
     In one example, the first electronic storage means  120  are known and of mass storage type (hard disks, SSD, optical disks, etc.) or of static memory type (Flash memories, PCRAM, FeRAM, etc.). 
     In one particular implementation, the first electronic storage means  120  are provided to associate the video signal with its location and a date. In this case, the video surveillance system  100  further comprises location means of GPS or Galileo type, and clock means of a known type. 
     In  FIG.  1   , the data communication means  130  are provided to transmit the video signal to the computer network  50 . 
     In one example, the data communication means  130  are of wireless type and use at least one known wireless communication protocol of Wi-F1, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G type. 
     In another example, the data communication means  130  are of wired type and use at least one known wired communication protocol of Ethernet type. 
     Still in  FIG.  1   , the video surveillance system  100  comprises a support element  150  on which the video means  110 , the first electronic storage means  120  and the data communication means  130  are mounted. 
     In one example, the support element  150  is a support mast. 
     In another example, the support element  150  is a post. 
     In yet another example, the support element  150  is a wall. 
     In yet another example, the support element  150  is a natural element such as a tree. 
     In these examples, the support element  150  has a height of between 2 m and 3 m, preferably about 2.50 m. 
     In one particular implementation, the support element  150  is provided to be arranged behind the golf course step  10 . However, the support element  150  may be arranged elsewhere around the golf course step  10 , where it does not interfere with the player. 
     In the example of  FIGS.  1  and  2   , a housing  160  surrounds the video means  110 , the first electronic storage means  120  and the data communication means  130  when they are mounted on the support element  150 . 
     In this way, the housing  160  protects the first electronic storage means  120  and the data communication means  130  from bad weather. 
     In one example, the housing  160  is removable so as to allow the means that it encloses to be replaced and/or repaired. 
     In one particular implementation, the housing  160  is provided with at least one opening (not shown) which is arranged to allow the passage of all or part of the optical system of the video means  110 . 
       FIG.  2    illustrates one particular implementation of the support  150  when the support element  150  is a mast. In this particular implementation, a chassis  170  bears the support mast  150 . In addition, the chassis  170  is mounted on wheels  171  which allow the support mast  150  to be moved over the ground. 
     In one particular implementation, the wheels  171  are lockable on the ground by means of locking means (not shown) of a known type. 
     In another particular implementation (not illustrated) of the support mast  150 , the latter is provided with known means for moving a portion thereof so as to extend or retract the support mast  150  with respect to the chassis or to the ground. 
     In this way, the height of the optical system of the video means  110  may be adjusted so as to achieve the desired video acquisition. 
     Returning to  FIG.  1   , the video processing means  140  are first provided to determine, based on the video signal,
         a relative position of the golf hole  40  with respect to the support element  150 , and   a relative position of the teeing area  20  with respect to the support element  150 .       

     In one particular implementation, a first spacing distance between the support element  150  and the optical system of the video means  110  is predetermined. In practice, the first predetermined spacing distance is of the order of a few centimeters and depends on the arrangement of the video means  110  on the support element  150 . 
     Next, a second spacing distance between the optical system of the video means  110  and the ground is predetermined. In practice, the second predetermined spacing distance is of the order of a few tens of centimeters, preferably between  1 . 80  m and  2 . 20  m, and depends on the arrangement of the video means  110  on the support element  150 . 
     Lastly, the video processing means  140  determine the relative position of the golf hole  40  and/or the relative position of the teeing area  20  by processing the video signal with the first and second predetermined spacing distance so as to estimate, for example by way of triangulation, a first distance measurement between the optical system of the video means  110  and the golf hole  40  and a second distance measurement between the optical system of the video means  110  and the teeing area  20 . 
     In one example of this first particular implementation, the video processing means  140  estimate the first measurement between the support element  150  and the center of the golf hole  40 . 
     In a second example of this particular implementation, the video processing means  140  estimate the first measurement between the support element  150  and a periphery of the golf hole  40 . 
     In a third example of this particular implementation, the video processing means  140  estimate the second measurement between the support element  150  and the teeing area  20 . 
     In a fourth example of this particular implementation, the video processing means  140  estimate the second measurement between the support element  150  and a periphery of the teeing area  20 . 
     Still in  FIG.  1   , the video processing means  140  are then provided to detect, based on the video signal, at least one golf ball played on the golf course step  10 . 
     In other words, the video processing means  140  may detect any golf ball that is played on the golf course step  10 , regardless of whether or not the ball is played from the teeing area  20 . 
     In this way, it will be possible to detect any error or any attempt to cheat by identifying any golf balls played from outside the area monitored by the video surveillance system  100 . 
     Subsequently, the video processing means  140  are provided to produce, based on the video signal, a trajectory signal which represents at least one trajectory of motion of the played golf ball. For this, the video processing means  140  implement known methods for detecting moving objects in a video sequence. 
     In one example, the trajectory of motion of the played golf ball is chosen from the flight of the played golf ball through the air, the rolling of the played ball over the ground, and a combination of the two. 
     In one particular implementation, the video surveillance system  100  further comprises second electronic storage means  190  connected to the computer network  50  which are provided to record the trajectory signal. 
     In this way, the trajectory of motion of the played golf ball may be played back later on, locally or remotely, for example on known display means such as an electronic screen or transparent film, which might or might not be touch-sensitive. 
     Lastly, the video processing means  140  are provided to detect the occurrence of a predetermined event involving the played golf ball based on the trajectory signal, the position of the golf hole  40  and the position of the teeing area  20 . For this, as mentioned above, the video processing means  140  implement known methods for detecting moving objects in a video sequence. 
     In one example, the predetermined event involving the played golf ball may be one of the following events:
         the played golf ball has entered/has not entered the golf hole  40 ,   the golf ball has been played/has not been played from the teeing area  20  and has entered/has not entered the golf hole  40 ,   the played golf ball has stopped at a predetermined distance from the golf hole  40 .       

     In one particular implementation, the video processing means  140  are further provided to produce a plurality of simulated or dummy trajectory signals which each independently represent a trajectory of motion of a simulated or dummy golf ball that would have been played from the teeing area  20  to the golf hole  40 . 
     In one example, the video processing means  140  calculate a predetermined number of possible trajectories of motion of a simulated or dummy golf ball. Preferably, the video processing means  140  take into account the relief of the terrain of at least the golf course step  10  and of its surroundings. It will be possible to use, for example, digital files modelling the relief of the terrain of at least the golf course step  10  and of the possible trajectories of motion of a simulated or dummy golf ball according to the relief of the terrain and any natural elements such as a tree or a mound. 
     In another example, the video processing means  140  further comprise a machine learning system (not shown) which is pre-trained to predict the plurality of simulated or dummy trajectory signals based on the video signal. For this, the machine learning system may be trained using training video signals which comprise images of actual trajectories of motion of a golf ball played on a plurality of golf course steps  10 . 
     In this particular implementation, the video processing means  140  are further provided to compare the trajectory signal with all or some of the plurality of simulated or dummy trajectory signals. 
     Lastly, in this particular implementation, the video processing means  140  are further provided to detect the occurrence of the predetermined event involving the played golf ball based, in addition, on at least one result of the comparison. 
     In another particular implementation, the video surveillance system  100  further comprises means for creating a play limit which traces a minimum distance from a teeing position of the golf ball before it is played and/or at least one region projected on the ground which delimits a region of an arrival position of the golf ball after it has been played. In this case, the video processing means are further provided to detect the occurrence of the predetermined event involving the played golf ball based, in addition, on the video signal. 
     In one example, a visible light emitter (not shown) forms the means for creating a play limit. Preferably, the light emitted by the visible light emitter is a laser light which describes a light beam that traces at least one line projected on the ground which marks the minimum distance from a teeing position of the golf ball before it is played and/or the region projected on the ground which delimits a region of an arrival position of the golf ball after it has been played. 
     In yet another particular implementation, the video surveillance system  100  further comprises an electronic payment terminal  180  intended to be connected to the computer network  50  and provided to communicate with an electronic payment means  181  so as to cause the video surveillance system  100  to be operational for a predetermined time after the payment of a predetermined amount. 
     In one example of this yet another particular implementation, the electronic payment means  181  is a contactless or contact payment card. 
     In another example of this yet another particular implementation, the electronic payment means  181  is a smart wearable device with technology and an application for payment. In this example, the payment application is configured to activate payment in response to the smart wearable device interacting with an image, for example a bar code or QR code. In addition, the payment application may also be configured to activate payment in response to the establishment of a near or short-range communication, for example of NFC, RFID or Bluetooth type. 
     In yet another particular implementation, the video surveillance system  100  further comprises electrical connection means (not shown) provided so as to supply at least the video means  110 , the first electronic storage means  120  and the data communication means  130  with power when the electrical connection means are connected to an external electrical power source. 
     In one example, the external electrical power source is a photovoltaic panel. In this way, the system is electrically autonomous. 
     In yet another particular implementation, the video surveillance system  100  further comprises electrical power supply means (not shown) provided so as to supply at least the video means  110 , the first electronic storage means  120  and the data communication means  130  with power, the electrical power supply means comprising a battery. 
     The invention also covers a method  200  for the video surveillance of the golf course step  10 . 
     Step  210  comprises, as explained above, the video means  110  producing at least one video signal which represents at least one continuous image of at least the golf hole  40 , the teeing area  20  and all or part of the golf course step  10 . 
     Step  220  comprises, as explained above, the first electronic storage means  120  recording the video signal. 
     Step  230  comprises, as explained above, the data communication means  130  transmitting the video signal to the computer network  50 . 
     Step  240  comprises, as explained above, mounting the video means  110 , the first electronic storage means  120  and the data communication means  130  on the support element  150 . 
     Step  250  comprises, as explained above, providing, in the computer network  50 , video processing means  140 . 
     Step  260  comprises, as explained above, the video processing means  140  determining a relative position of the golf hole  40  with respect to the support element  150  based on the video signal. This step also comprises the video processing means  140  determining a relative position of the teeing area  20  with respect to the support element  150  based on the video signal. 
     Step  270  comprises, as explained above, the video processing means  140  detecting at least one golf ball played on the golf course step  10  based on the video signal. 
     Step  280  comprises, as explained above, the video processing means  140  producing a trajectory signal which represents at least one trajectory of motion of the played golf ball based on the video signal. 
     Lastly, step  290  comprises, as explained above, the video processing means  140  detecting the occurrence of a predetermined event involving the played golf ball based on the trajectory signal, the position of the golf hole  40  and the position of the teeing area  20 .