Virtual Golf Tournament Fairness via Hardware Validation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Virtual golf tournaments face challenges in ensuring fairness due to differences in hardware and software configurations across geographically separated golf simulators, leading to inconsistencies in tracking data and potential advantages for some players.

Innovation Solution

A system where a tournament server manages virtual golf tournaments by validating the hardware and firmware configurations of golf simulators against a list of permitted configurations, ensuring that all participants use compatible and standardized equipment to maintain fairness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If golf simulators use different hardware configurations to allow geographic distribution and accessibility, then player participation and tournament accessibility are improved, but tracking data consistency and competition fairness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegeographic distributionVSAvoidtracking data consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by establishing standardized hardware configuration parameters for launch monitors, screens, and computing systems. The tournament server validates that each simulator meets these specified parameters (e.g., Trackman 4 or GCQuad launch monitors, specific screen resolutions and refresh rates), ensuring tracking data consistency across geographically distributed locations while maintaining accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates equipotentiality by requiring all simulators to operate with identical hardware configurations and software versions. The tournament server enforces that all participants use the same permitted hardware list, same firmware versions, and same configuration settings, eliminating the 'potential differences' that would otherwise create unfair tracking data variations between locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

2Adaptability or versatility

If simulators track balls over different distances before interruption to adapt to various facility constraints, then facility adaptability is improved, but ball flight measurement accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefacility constraintsVSAvoidball flight tracking accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by specifying minimum tracking distance parameters in the hardware configuration standards. Launch monitors must be positioned at specific distances from the hitting area (e.g., ceiling-mounted at appropriate heights and distances), ensuring that all simulators track balls over sufficient distances for accurate measurement regardless of facility size constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the tournament server validates hardware configurations for all participants, then competition fairness is improved, but system complexity and validation time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompetition fairnessVSAvoidvalidation system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by requiring all hardware validation to occur before the tournament begins. The tournament server maintains a pre-established list of permitted hardware configurations, and each simulator must be validated against this list prior to participation. This upfront validation prevents fairness issues during the tournament while keeping the system manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses copying by requiring simulators to replicate identical hardware configurations rather than validating each unique setup. The tournament server maintains a master configuration specification, and all simulators must copy these exact settings (same launch monitor models, same screen resolutions, same firmware versions), simplifying validation to a checklist approach rather than complex individual assessments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Measurement precision

If all simulators use identical hardware configurations to ensure fairness, then tracking data consistency is improved, but adaptability to different facilities and cost considerations worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking data consistencyVSAvoidfacility adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by defining specific parameter ranges and minimum requirements rather than mandating exact identical equipment. For example, it specifies acceptable launch monitor models (Trackman 4, GCQuad), minimum screen resolutions (1920x1080), and firmware version requirements, allowing facilities to adapt within these standardized parameters while maintaining sufficient tracking data consistency for fair competition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250195950A1System and Method for Ensuring Fairness in Virtual Golf Tournament

Publication Date: 2025.06.19 TRACKMAN

AI summary

A system for ensuring fairness in a virtual golf tournament includes a tournament server configured to manage the virtual golf tournament with multiple golfers playing golf on a plurality of golf simulators. The tournament server has access to a list of permitted hardware configurations for the golf simulator. Each of the golf simulator is configured to allow a playing golfer to play the virtual golf tournament. The tournament server is configured to permit participation in the virtual golf tournament from a specific golf simulator based on the hardware configuration of the specific golf simulator.