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EP-4052225-B1 - COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR THE VIDEO SURVEILLANCE OF AT LEAST ONE STAGE OF A GOLF COURSE

EP4052225B1EP 4052225 B1EP4052225 B1EP 4052225B1EP-4052225-B1

Inventors

  • LEMAUF, Benoit
  • BAQUIER, Matthieu
  • CHILDES, Jeremy

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20191028

Claims (12)

  1. A computer system for the video surveillance (100) of at least one step (10) of a golf course comprising at least one golf hole (40) and at least one teeing area (20), the system comprising: • video means (110) 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 (10); • first electronic storage means (120) for recording the video signal; • data communication means (130) for transmitting the video signal to a computer network (50); wherein the video means, the first electronic storage means and the data communication means are mounted on a support element (150), the system further comprising • video processing means (140), 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 (10), - 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.
  2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein 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.
  3. The system as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a pre-trained machine learning system for predicting the plurality of simulated or dummy trajectory signals based on the video signal.
  4. The system as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising 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.
  5. The system as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, in which a chassis (170) 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.
  6. The video surveillance system as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, wherein 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.
  7. The system as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising 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 to an external electrical power source.
  8. The system as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising 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.
  9. The system as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising an electronic payment terminal (180) which is intended to be connected to the computer network and is provided to communicate with an electronic payment means (181) so as to cause the video surveillance system to be operational for a predetermined time after the payment of a predetermined amount.
  10. The video surveillance system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the electronic payment means is a payment card.
  11. The video surveillance system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the electronic payment means is a smart wearable device equipped with technology and an application for payment.
  12. A method (200) for the video surveillance of a golf course comprising at least one golf hole and at least one teeing area (20), the method comprising: • video means producing (210) 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 (10); • first electronic storage means recording (220) the video signal; • data communication means transmitting (230) the video signal to a computer network; • mounting (240) the video means, the first electronic storage means and the data communication means on a support element; and • providing (250), in the computer network, video processing means, • the video processing means determining (260) a relative position of the golf hole with respect to the support element based on the video signal, • the video processing means determining (260) a relative position of the teeing area with respect to the support element based on the video signal, • the video processing means detecting (270) at least one golf ball played on the golf course step (10) based on the video signal, • the video processing means producing (280) 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 (290) 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.

Description

technical field The invention relates to a computer system and a method Previous technique Golf is a precision sport that is attracting more and more fans of all ages. Equipped with clubs, golfers must hit a golf ball to get it into a golf hole. The goal of every player is to complete each golf hole in as few strokes as possible. The golf hole is preceded by a teeing area, a fairway, and a green. The golf hole to be reached is located on the green. One of the rarest shots in golf is the hole-in-one, where the ball lands in the golf hole in one shot from the teeing area. To be officially recognized and eligible for a prize, a hole-in-one requires the presence of an official referee who verifies, on the course, that the conditions for validating the shot are met. This is why holes-in-one are generally only attempted in official golf competitions for professionals and semi-professionals. There is therefore a need to make it possible to play a hole-in-one outside of official competitions, without requiring an official referee, while still allowing a reward to be obtained. The document US5102140 This describes a system in which a player interacts with a coin-operated machine before attempting a hole-in-one and potentially winning a reward if successful. The reward amount corresponds to the amounts wagered by previous players who failed to achieve a hole-in-one. The document WO 2016/127189 A2 This system for monitoring a golfer's shots includes mechanisms for identifying the golf ball and golfer, video screens at the launch and target areas, and a hole monitoring screen that detects changes in state. Optional components include a flight monitor and timing devices for synchronized recording. The golf ball identifier can detect existing markings or apply unique markings and can measure ball properties. A golf hole structure can house a camera, sensors, and modules. communication. The method involves verifying the identity of the golfer and the ball, confirming that the tee and tee areas are ready, recording the shot and tee area during defined time windows, and detecting changes in the hole or tee area. Furthermore, this system allows the hole-in-one to be recorded in video format so that a golf course manager can verify the success of the hole-in-one. Although this system eliminates the need for a referee on the course, it requires staff to review the video footage of the hole-in-one. This takes time for staff to locate the correct moment in the video and verify that the conditions for validating the shot are met, just as an official referee would. Description of the invention The invention aims to overcome this drawback. Thus the invention proposes a computer system and a method of video surveillance of at least one stage of a golf course, which does not require an official referee or staff to view the video showing the occurrence of the hole-in-one and validate the hole-in-one. Thus, the invention relates to a computer system for video surveillance of at least one stage of a golf course comprising at least one golf hole and at least one teeing area. The system comprises: video means to produce at least one video signal that represents at least one continuous image of at least the golf hole, the teeing area and all or part of stage 10 of the golf course; the first electronic storage methods for recording the video signal; means of data communication to transmit the video signal to a computer network; in which the video means, the first means of electronic storage and the means of data communication are mounted on a support element. The system also includes video processing equipment, connected to the computer network, for to determine, from the video signal, the relative position of the golf hole with respect to the support element, to determine, from the video signal, a relative position of the starting area, in relation to the support element, detect, from the video signal, at least one golf ball played on stage 10 of the golf course, to produce, from the video signal, a trajectory signal which represents at least one trajectory of movement of the golf ball being played, and detect the occurrence of a predetermined event involving the golf ball being played, from the trajectory signal, the position of the golf hole and the position of the teeing area. In a specific initial implementation, video processing capabilities are also planned to produce a plurality of simulated or fictitious trajectory signals, each representing a simulated or fictitious golf ball movement trajectory that would have been played from the teeing area to the golf hole; compare the trajectory signal with all or part of the plurality of simulated or fictitious trajectory signals; and detect the occurrence of the predetermined event involving the golf ball played, from, in addition, at least one result of the comparison. In one example of the first particular implementation, the system further includes a pre-trained machine learning system