Golf Game System with Virtual-Physical Marker Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tracking systems for objects in athletic applications, such as golf, fail to coordinate the virtual and physical environments, lacking integration of the ball's flight path in the actual physical space, which limits the immersive gaming experience and feedback for players.
Innovation Solution
A game-play environment with a tee box, range surface, and monitor that displays a virtual environment aligned with physical markers, allowing players to hit a ball and track its flight path in both physical and virtual spaces, enabling immersive gameplay and feedback based on targets within the physical or virtual environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional tracking systems use sensors to represent data points in a virtual space, then the ball flight can be tracked and analyzed, but the virtual environment lacks coordination with the physical environment where the ball was actually hit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical environment that mirrors the actual space where the ball is hit. Sensors track the ball's flight path in the physical environment and replicate this trajectory in the virtual environment, maintaining spatial coordination between the two. The virtual environment includes virtual representations of the physical markers and targets, allowing accurate mapping of ball flight data to corresponding virtual locations.
2Loss of information
If the system provides detailed tracking and analysis of player technique, then coaching feedback can be improved, but the gaming experience and player engagement are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides accurate ball flight tracking for coaching purposes while also delivering an engaging gaming experience. The virtual environment incorporates game elements such as virtual targets, scoring systems, and interactive components that make the activity enjoyable. The same tracking infrastructure supports both analytical coaching feedback and recreational gameplay, allowing the system to adapt to different user needs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system alters the physical environment to enhance gameplay, then player engagement improves, but the original physical setup is changed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual environment as an intermediary layer between the player and the physical environment. Instead of modifying the physical space, the system creates a virtual representation that can be freely adapted and customized for different games and scenarios. The virtual environment serves as a flexible interface that enhances gameplay versatility without physically altering the original setup. Physical markers and targets remain in their original positions, while their virtual counterparts provide the enhanced interactive experience.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system provides an immersive gaming experience by accurately depicting the ball's flight path in a virtual environment synchronized with the physical space, allowing players to adjust their shots based on real-time feedback, enhancing training and gameplay without altering the physical environment.
Implementation Method 1
Conventional methods of tracking an object (e.g., golf ball, basketball, baseball, etc.) employ various types of sensors including Doppler radar technology
Implementation Method 2
camera-based technology, high speed 3D camera-based technology, and stereoscopic sensors
Implementation Method 3
The range surface has a plurality of physical markers. The monitor is positioned so that the player can see the monitor while in the tee box. The monitor depicts a virtual environment that corresponds to a desired virtual game.
Data Source
AI summary
A game-play environment includes a tee box, a range surface, and a monitor. The tee box is configured to permit a player to hit a golf ball onto the range surface. The range surface has a plurality of physical markers. The monitor depicts a virtual environment that includes a plurality of virtual components. Some of the virtual components are visual cues that correspond to the physical markers. A player can play the game by targeting the appropriate physical marker that corresponds to the desired visual cue.