Shot API Proxy for Secure Cross-Venue Golf Data Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for accessing shot event data in golf range entertainment venues are limited by requiring client applications to be connected to the same local network, leading to security risks and increased server load, which prevents cross-bay/cross-venue gameplay and affects user experience.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising multiple golf ball tracking sensors, shot APIs, and a shot API proxy that allows client apps to securely access shot event data over the public internet, scaling client connections and minimizing local server load, while enabling data sharing across bays, venues, and devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If client applications connect to the local network to access shot event data, then data access is enabled, but security risks increase and server load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud-based intermediary service that sits between the shot tracking system and client applications. This cloud service receives shot event data from the local shot API, processes it, and distributes it to authorized clients over the public internet. This intermediary approach enables public access while maintaining security by controlling what data is exposed and to whom, without requiring clients to connect to the local network.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple clients connect to the local API, then data sharing across bays/venues is enabled, but server load increases detrimentally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the data distribution architecture from a local network dimension to a cloud-based dimension. Instead of multiple clients connecting directly to the local shot API (creating N connections to one server), the system uses a cloud service that receives data once from the local API and distributes it through cloud infrastructure. This dimensional shift allows unlimited client connections without proportionally increasing the load on the local shot API server.
3Ease of operation
If HTTP Long Polling is used for client connections, then public internet access is enabled, but response ordering is not guaranteed and user experience is impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the cloud service tracks shot event sequences and ensures proper ordering before delivering data to clients. The system maintains awareness of event sequences from the shot tracking system and uses this feedback to deliver ordered responses to clients, even when accessed via public internet protocols. This feedback loop ensures reliability and proper ordering is maintained despite using public network protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for providing shot tracking data to a client device is disclosed herein. The system includes multiple golf ball tracking sensors positioned at multiple golf driving ranges, multiple shot application programming interfaces (API), and a shot API proxy. Each of the shot APIs is configured to receive shot data from each of the golf ball tracking sensors at a corresponding golf driving range venue such as a TOPGOLF® entertainment venue.