Canopy modification using computer modelling

Abstract

A method and system for determining canopy coverage to a golf green to assist in increasing sunlight exposure of the green. The system allows users to enter data regarding the golf green, surrounding foliage, and other topographical and man-made features surrounding the green. The system can then plot the sun's path for a specific date and simulate shadows cast on the green by the surrounding foliage and features. Furthermore, the system allows the user to generate what-if data, allowing projected effects on canopy coverage to be viewed before any modifications to the canopy are carried out.

1. A computer system, having data storage means and a memory, for determining sunlight exposure of an area, said system including:
 input means for receiving and storing in the memory area data entries which define a size and shape of the area and a first and at least one second predetermined location,  
 input means for receiving and storing in the memory temporal data entries defining a time and date range, and  
 input means for receiving and storing in the memory obstruction data entries defining a size and relative position of at least one sunlight obstructing object;  
 processing means for performing sun calculations which determine multiple solar positions of the sun in the sky based on the temporal data entries and the area data entries,  
 processing means for performing shadow calculations for each solar position, said shadow calculations determining a size, shape and position relative to the area of a shadow cast by the or each sunlight obstructing object, and  
 processing means for determining for each square unit of the area a sunlight exposure time based on the shadow calculations;  
 output means for generating shadow calculation results and portraying a representation of the shadow calculation results, and  
 output means for generating sun calculation results and portraying a representation of the sun calculation results. 
 
     
     
       2. A computer system as in  claim 1  wherein the area data entries include:
 an earth based latitude of the area, 
 a magnetic declination of the area 
 area azimuth readings of multiple points on a perimeter of the area, and  
 area distance readings of each of the multiple points on the perimeter,
 wherein
 said area distance readings are measured between each of the multiple points on the perimeter and the first predetermined location, and 
 said area azimuth readings are relative to magnetic north and are determined from said first predetermined location. 
 
 
 
     
     
       3. A computer system as in  claim 2  wherein the first predetermined location is within the area and the area data entries include a longitude of the area. 
     
     
       4. A computer system as in  claim 1  wherein the area data entries include, for at least one second predetermined location, second location azimuth readings relative to magnetic north and second location distance readings, wherein second location azimuth readings are determined from the first predetermined location and the second location distance readings are measured between the at least one second predetermined location and the first predetermined location within the area. 
     
     
       5. A computer system as in  claim 1  wherein the obstruction data entries include:
 obstruction azimuth readings of the or each sunlight obstructing object,  
 obstruction distance readings for the or each sunlight obstructing object, and  
 at least one elevation reading for the or each sunlight obstructing object, 
 wherein
 said obstruction distance readings are measured between a location of the or each of the sunlight obstructing object and a location chosen from the group comprising the first predetermined location and the second predetermined location, and  
 said obstruction azimuth readings are relative to magnetic north and are determined from a location chosen from the group comprising the first predetermined location and the at least one second predetermined location. 
 
 
 
     
     
       6. A computer system as in  claim 5  wherein the at least one sunlight obstructing object is a tree and wherein the obstruction data entries further include:
 a tree crown shape for the or each tree,  
 a crown upper elevation reading for the or each crown of the or each tree,  
 a crown lower elevation reading for the or each crown of the or each tree,  
 a left crown azimuth reading for the or each crown of the or each tree, and  
 a right crown azimuth reading for the or each crown of the or each tree, 
 wherein
 said crown elevation readings are measured between a location of the or each of the sunlight obstructing object and a location chosen from the group comprising the first predetermined location and the at least one second predetermined location, and  
 said crown azimuth readings are relative to magnetic north and are determined from a location chosen from the group comprising the first predetermined location and the at least one second predetermined location. 
 
 
 
     
     
       7. A computer system as in  claim 6  wherein the obstruction data entries include at least one growth rate for the or each tree and an aging time span. 
     
     
       8. A computer system as in  claim 7  further including processing means for increasing the crown azimuth readings and the crown elevation readings for the or each tree based on the or each growth rate and the aging time span. 
     
     
       9. A computer system as in  claim 1  wherein the at least one sunlight obstructing object is a block of trees and wherein the obstruction data entries further include:
 tree block azimuth readings of multiple points on a block perimeter of the block of trees, 
 tree block distance readings of each of the multiple points on the block perimeter, 
 an average crown upper elevation reading for the block of trees, and  
 an average crown lower elevation reading for the block of trees, 
 wherein
 said tree block azimuth readings are relative to magnetic north and are determined from a location chosen from the group comprising the first predetermined location and the at least one second predetermined location, and  
 said tree block distance readings are measured between each of the multiple points on the block perimeter and a location chosen from the group comprising the first predetermined location and the at least one second predetermined location. 
 
 
 
     
     
       10. A method of modifying foliage on a golf course to provide more sunlight to a golf green comprising:
 determining characteristics of the green including size, shape, and location of the green; 
 storing in storage of a computer the determined characteristics of the green and the foliage; 
 determining characteristics of the foliage including size, shape, and location relative to the green; 
 performing a sun simulation of a path of the sun across the sky during a predetermined date and time range; 
 performing a shadow simulation of shadows cast on the green by the foliage based on the sun simulation and the characteristics of the foliage;  
 performing a unit area calculation for each unit area of the green, said unit area calculation determining an amount of sunlight each unit receives based on the shadow simulation;  
 determining at least one course of action to provide more sunlight to the green based on the unit area calculation, the or each course of action being chosen from a group comprising:
 pruning the foliage,  
 removing the foliage, and 
 relocating the foliage;  
 
 performing a modified shadow simulation of the shadows cast on the green by the foliage if the or each course of action were followed,. said modified shadow simulation being based on the sun simulation and projected characteristics of the foliage;  
 performing a modified unit area calculation for each unit area of the green, said modified unit area calculation determining a modified amount of sunlight each unit receives based on the modified shadow simulation; and 
 wherein the computer is programmed to perform at least one of performing a sun simulation, performing a unit are calculation, performing a shadow simulation, determining at least one course of action, performing a modified shadow simulation, and performing a modified unit area calculation. 
 
     
     
       11. A method of determining modifications to sunblocking objects on a golf green to provide more sunlight to the green, the method comprising:
 a. Determininga) determining a size, shape, and geographical location of the green; 
 b. Determiningb) determining a size, shape, and position relative to a predetermined point of at least one sunblocking object; 
 c) storing in storage of a computer the determined characteristics of the green and the foliage; 
 c. Determiningd) determining a relevant path of the sun across the sky as observed from the geographical location of the green for a predetermined date and time range; 
 d. Performinge) performing a shade calculation resulting in shade results, said shade results determining an amount of shade cast on the green by the or each sunblocking object based on the relevant path of the sun and the size, shape, and position of the or each sunblocking object; 
 e. Performingf) performing a modified calculation resulting in modified shade results, said modified shade results determining a modified amount of shade cast on the green by the or each sunblocking object based on the relevant path of the sun and a modification of the or each sunblocking object, said modification being chosen from a modification group comprising: altering the shape of the or each sunblocking object,    removing the or each sunblocking object,    altering the size of the or each sunblocking object, and    a combination of altering the size and the shape of the or each sunblocking object;   
 f. Determiningg) determining which modification from the modification group provides more sunlight to the golf green based on a comparison of the shade results and the modified shade results; and  
 g. Generating a visual representation of the shade results and the modified shade resultsh) wherein the computer is programmed to perform at least one of performing a sun simulation, performing a unit area calcuation, performing a shadow simulation, determining at least one course of action, performing a modified shadow simulation, and performing a modified unit area calcuation. 
 
     
     
       12. A method as in  claim 11  wherein step e) f) further includes generating a visual representation of the or each sunblocking object. 
     
     
       13. A computer system, having data storage means and memory, for determining sunlight exposure of at least one selected area of ground, turf or other low-lying outdoor area over one or more selected time and date ranges, with the selected area being in the vicinity of one or more existing or simulated trees, bushes or other objects which each constitute an actual or potential sunlight obstructing object relative to the selected area, said system comprising:
 means for storing in the memory area data entries which define a size and shape of the selected area,   temporal data entries defining at least one time and date range, and   obstruction data entries defining a size and position of at least one sunlight obstructing object;   processing means for performing sun calculations which determine multiple solar positions of the sun in the sky based on the temporal data entries and the area data entries,   for performing shadow calculations for each solar position, said shadow calculations determining a size, shape and position relative to the selected area of a shadow cast by the or each sunlight obstructing objec, and   for determining, for each square unit of the selected area, a sunlight exposure time based on the shadow calculations;   output means for generating shadow calculation results and portraying a representation of the shadow calculation results, and   for generating sun calculation results and portraying a representation of the sun calculation results.   
     
     
       14. A computer system as in claim 13 wherein at least one of the data entries used by the processing means for performing sun calculations includes an earth based latitude of the selected area. 
     
     
       15. A computer system as in claim 14 where the area data entries further include: area azimuth readings of multiple points on a perimeter of the selected area, and area distance readings of each of the multiple points on the perimeter. 
     
     
       16. A computer system as in claim 15 wherein:
 the area data entries include a first predetermined location associated with the selected area, and at least one second predetermined location associated with the selected area; and   said area distance readings are measured between each of the multiple points on the perimeter and the first predetermined location.   
     
     
       17. A computer system as in claim 16 wherein:
 said area azimuth readings a relative to magnetic north and are determined from said first predetermined location,   the first predetermined location is within the selected area, and   the area data entries include a longitude of the area.   
     
     
       18. A computer system as in claim 13 wherein:
 the area data entries include a first predetermined location associated with the selected area, and at least one second predetermined location associated with the selected area, which include, for at least one second predetermined location, second location azimuth readings and second location distance readings, and   the second location azimuth readings are determined from the first predetermined location and the second location distance readings are measured between the at least one second predetermined location and the first predetermined location within the area.   
     
     
       19. A computer system as in claim 13 wherein the obstruction data entries include:
 obstruction azimuth readings of the or each sunlight obstructing object,   obstruction distance readings for the or each sunlight obstructing object, and   at least one elevation reading for the or each sunlight obstructing object.   
     
     
       20. A computer system as in claim 19 wherein:
 the area data entries include a first predetermined location associated with the selected area, and at least one second predetermined location associated with the selected area,   said obstruction distance readings are measured between a location of the or each of the sunlight obstructing object and a location chosen from the group consisting of the first predetermined location and the second predetermined location.   
     
     
       21. A computer system as in claim 19 wherein:
 the area data entries include a first predetermined location associated with the selected area, and at least one second predetermined location associated with the selected area, and   said obstruction azimuth readings are relative to magnetic north and are determined from a location chosen from the group consisting of the first predetermined location and the at least one second predetermined location.   
     
     
       22. A computer system as in claim 13 wherein said system is operatively arranged to handle a plurality of sunlight obstructing objects which are trees and wherein the obstruction data entries further include for each tree at least a tree crown shape for the tree and a crown upper evaluation reading for the tree. 
     
     
       23. A computer system as in claim 22 wherein the obstruction data entries further include for each tree a crown lower elevation reading for the tree, and at least one of crown azimuth reading for a tree selected from a group consisting of a left crown azimuth reading for the tree and a right crown azimuth reading for the tree. 
     
     
       24. A computer system as in claim 23 wherein:
 said crown elevation readings for each tree are measured between a location of the first sunlight obstructing object and a location chosen from the group consisting of the first predetermined location and the at least one second predetermined location, and   said crown azimuth readings are determined from a location chosen from the group consisting of the first predetermined location and the at least one second predetermined location.   
     
     
       25. A computer system as in claim 13 wherein:
 said system is operatively arranged to handle a plurality of sunlight obstructing objects which are trees,   the obstruction data entries further include for each tree include at least one growth rate for tree and an aging time span for the tree.   
     
     
       26. A computer system as in claim 25 wherein:
 the obstruction data entries further include for each tree at least a tree crown shape for the tree and a crown upper elevation reading for the tree, and at least one of crown azimuth reading for the tree,   said system further comprises processing means for increasing the crown azimuth readings and the crown elevation readings for each tree based on the growth rate and the aging time span for the tree.   
     
     
       27. A computer system as in claim 13 wherein:
 the at least one sunlight obstructing object is a block of trees;   the obstruction data entries further include tree block azimuth readings of multiple points on a block perimeter of the block of trees, tree block distance readings of each of the multiple points on the block perimeter, and an average crown upper elevation reading for the block of trees, and an average crown lower elevation reading for the block of trees.   
     
     
       28. A method of modifying foliage on a golf course to provide more sunlight to a golf green, the method comprising the steps of:
 determining characteristics of the green;   determining characteristics of the foliage pertinent to the green;   storing in storage of a computer the determined characteristics of the green and the foliage;   performing a sun simulation of a path of the sun across the sky during a predetermined date and time range;   performing a shadow simulation of shadows cast on the green by the foliage based on the sun simulation and the characteristics of the foliage;   performing a unit area calculation for each unit area of the green, said unit area calculation determining an amount of sunlight each unit receives based on the shadow simulation;   determining at least one course of proposed physical action relative to the foliage to provide more sunlight to the green based on the unit area calculation;   performing a modified shadow simulation of the shadows cast on the green by the foliage if each proposed course of action were followed, said modified shadow simulation being based on the sun simulation and projected characteristics of the foliage; and   performing a modified unit area calculation for each unit area of the green, said modified unit area calculation determining a modified amount of sunlight each unit receives based on the modified shadow simulation; and   wherein the computer is programmed to perform at least one of performing a sun simulation, performing a unit area calcuation, performing a shadow simulation, determining at least one course of action, performing a modified shadow simulation, and performing a modified unit area calculation.   
     
     
       29. A method of modifying foliage as in claim 28, wherein:
 the determined characteristics of the green include at least a plurality of green characteristics selected from the group of characteristics consisting of the size of the green, the shape of the green, and the location of the green;   the determined characteristics of the foliage include at least a plurality of foliage characteristics selected from a group characteristics consisting of the size of the foliage, the shape of the foliage, and the location of the foliage relative to the green; and   the proposed course of physical action to the foliage being chosen from a group of physical actions consisting of pruning at least some of the foliage, removing at least some of the foliage, and relocating at least some of the foliage.   
     
     
       30. A method of evaluating proposed modifications to sunblocking objects on an area of a turf to provide more sunlight to the area of turf, the method including using a computer system programmed to perform calculations and provide visual representations and comprising the steps of:
 a) determining a geographical location of the green;   b) determining a three-dimensional location for each of a plurality of sunblocking objects in the vicinity of the green;   c) determining a relevant path of the sun across the sky as observed from the geographical location of the green for a predetermined date and time range;   d) performing a shade calculation resulting in shade results, said shade results determining an amount of shade cast on the green by each such located sunblocking object based on the relevant path of the sun and the three-dimensional location of each sunblocking object; and   e) performing a modified calculation resulting in modified shade results, said modified shade results determining a modified amount of shade cast on the green by each located sunblocking object based on the relevant path of the sun and a proposed modification of at least a plurality of the located sunblocking objects, said proposed modification being chosen from a modification group consisting of (1) altering the shape of the sunblocking object, (2) removing the sunblocking object, (3) altering the size of the sunblocking object, and (4) a combination of altering the size and the shape of sunblocking object.   
     
     
       31. A method as in claim 30, of evaluating modifications to sunblocking objects on an area of turf, further comprising the step of:
 f) determining which proposed modification from the modification group provides more sunlight to the golf green based on a comparison of the shade results and the modified shade results.   
     
     
       32. A method as in claim 30 wherein step (e) further includes using the computer system to generate at least one visual representation of each sunblocking object.