Golf Course Video Surveillance for Automatic Hole-in-One Verification

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing golf hole-in-one verification systems require an official referee or staff to review video footage, which is time-consuming and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A computer system for video surveillance of a golf course that includes video means, electronic storage, data communication, and video processing to automatically verify hole-in-one events without human intervention, using machine learning and trajectory simulation to determine the occurrence of a hole-in-one.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If multiple cameras are deployed to cover different areas of the golf course, then surveillance coverage is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurveillance coverage areaVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single camera is designed to perform multiple functions: capturing images of the green, fairway, and rough areas by rotating its optical axis to different positions. The camera system serves as a universal surveillance device that can monitor multiple golf course zones without requiring separate dedicated cameras for each area, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The camera system incorporates dynamic rotation capability, allowing the optical axis to move between different angular positions to capture images of various golf course areas. This dynamic positioning enables one camera to replace multiple static cameras, simplifying the system architecture while achieving the same surveillance coverage area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If high-resolution images are captured from multiple areas, then measurement precision is improved, but data processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveball position detection accuracyVSAvoidimage processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The image processing system is divided into multiple processing units, each specialized for analyzing images from specific golf course areas (green, fairway, rough). This segmentation allows parallel processing of images from different regions, maintaining high measurement precision for ball position detection while reducing total processing time through concurrent operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where processing results from one area inform the selection and processing of subsequent areas. Based on the position of the golf ball detected in one zone, the system prioritizes processing images from relevant adjacent areas, optimizing the sequence and timing of image analysis to reduce overall processing time while maintaining accurate ball position measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4052225B1Computer system for the video surveillance of at least one stage of a golf course
Publication Date: 2026.05.13 MERAEVENTS
  • EP4052225B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4052225B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4052225B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a computer system and method for the video surveillance of at least one stage of a golf course (10) comprising at least one hole (40) and at least one tee (20). The video surveillance system (100) comprises video means (110), first electronic storage means (120), and data communication means (130), which are mounted on a support element (150). The video surveillance system (100) further comprises video processing means (140) for detecting the occurrence of a predetermined event involving a played golf ball, on the basis of a played-ball trajectory signal, of the position of the hole (40) and of the position of the tee (20).