Systems And Methods For Game Play In Three Dimensions At A Golf Driving Range

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for game play in three dimensions at a golf driving range. For the disclosed embodiments, virtual targets are used in combination with real-world physical reference points associated with the golf driving range to allow three dimensional ( 3 D) virtual targeting and game play. The physical playing field includes not just the horizontal field, but also the 3 D space above and beyond the field, as well as vertical surfaces such as walls, nets, ceiling and also dynamic vertical surfaces such as a projectable steam wall and/or other dynamic vertical surfaces. By combining virtual targets and real-world reference points, the disclosed embodiments provide a wide range of entertainment and games at a golf driving range that are based on the flight of the ball while in the air and that allow players to use real-world reference points to orient their shots.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for three dimensional (3D) game play within a golf driving range, comprising
 mapping one or more virtual targets in three dimensional (3D) space to one or more physical reference points within a golf driving range;   concurrently displaying on a single display representations of the one or more virtual targets relative to the one or more physical reference points, the virtual targets being overlaid over physical reference points;   receiving coordinates for a golf ball hit from a hitting area into a golf driving range, the coordinates being X,Y,Z coordinates for a path of the golf ball in flight;   using the coordinates to map locations of the golf ball in flight relative to the one or more virtual targets and the one or more physical reference points;   concurrently displaying on a single display representations of the golf ball in flight, the one or more virtual targets, and the one or more physical reference points; and   determining whether the golf ball in flight passed through or otherwise interacted with the one or more virtual targets in 3D space and adjusting one or more game actions based upon the determination.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more physical reference points are located on at least one of a horizontal surface for the driving range or a vertical surface for the driving range. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more physical reference points comprise a static reference point. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more physical reference points comprise a dynamic reference point. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more virtual targets comprise a static object with respect to the one or more physical reference points. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more virtual targets comprise a moving object with respect to the one or more physical reference points. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more virtual targets is a plurality of virtual targets and wherein the one or more physical reference points is a plurality of physical reference points. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the displaying comprises displaying at least one of a perspective view of the driving range including the representations or an overhead view of the driving range including the representations. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising displaying a representation of the golf ball reacting to a boundary for the one or more virtual targets. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising awarding points to a player based upon flight of the golf ball with respect to the one or more virtual targets. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adjusting the one or more virtual targets based upon a predetermined skill level for a player. 
     
     
         12 . A system for three dimensional (3D) game play within a golf driving range, comprising
 a digital map stored within a data storage system, the digital map comprising location information for one or more physical reference points in three dimensional (3D) space within a golf driving range and for one or more virtual targets with respect to the one or more physical reference points;   a display; and   one or more processors coupled to the display and configured to provide through the display concurrent representations of the one or more virtual targets and the one or more physical reference points;   wherein the one or more processors are further configured to receive coordinates for a golf ball hit from a hitting area into the golf driving range with the coordinates being X,Y,Z coordinates for a path of the golf ball in flight; to map locations of the golf ball in flight to the one or more virtual targets and the one or more physical reference points; to provide through the display concurrent representations of the golf ball in flight, the one or more virtual targets, and the one or more physical reference points; and to determine whether the golf ball in flight passed through or otherwise interacted with the one or more virtual targets in 3D space and to adjust one or more game actions based upon the determination.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more physical reference points are located on at least one of a horizontal surface for the driving range or a vertical surface for the driving range. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more physical reference points comprise a static reference point. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more physical reference points comprise a dynamic reference point. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more virtual targets comprise a static object with respect to the one or more physical reference points. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more virtual targets comprise a moving object with respect to the one or more physical reference points. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more virtual targets is a plurality of virtual targets and wherein the one or more physical reference points is a plurality of physical reference points. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the representations are provided within at least one of a perspective view of the driving range or an overhead view of the driving range. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more processors is further configured to provide through the display representations of reactions of the golf ball with a boundary for the one or more virtual targets. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more processors is further configured to award points to a player based upon flight of the golf ball with respect to the one or more virtual targets. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more processors is further configured to adjust the one or more virtual targets based upon a predetermined skill level for a player.