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  System and method for administering a contestUSPTO Application #: 20060084529Title: System and method for administering a contest Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method of administering a golf related contest. The method includes entering a participant into the contest upon the purchase of an item without payment for entry into the contest. Images of the participant attempting to achieve a goal of the contest are recorded. The recorded images are reviewed to verify that a participant achieved a goal of the contest. The system includes a receiving device that receives payment for the item. An entry device enters the participant into the contest in response to payment for the item. A recording device records images of the participant attempting to achieve the goal of the contest. A verifying device plays the images of the participant attempting to achieve the goal of the contest. (end of abstract)
Agent: Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell & Tummino L.L.P. - Clevevland, OH, US Inventor: Michael Aaron Burkons USPTO Applicaton #: 20060084529 - Class: 473409000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Games Using Tangible Projectile, Golf, Method The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060084529. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATION [0001] The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/619,911, filed Oct. 18, 1004, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates to a system and method for administering a contest, and more specifically, to a system and method for administering a golf related contest. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] A system for determining if a specific goal of a golf related contest has been achieved, such as a hole-in-one, on a golf course includes a camera that records images received from a first location, such as a tee box. The camera also records images received from a second location, such as on a green. The camera also records the flight of a golf ball hit from the first location to the second location. The recorded images can be reviewed to determine if the goal of the contest has been achieved. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] The present invention is directed to a system and method of administering a golf related contest. The method includes entering a participant into the contest upon the purchase of an item without payment for entry into the contest. Images of the participant attempting to achieve a goal of the contest are recorded. The recorded images are reviewed to verify that a participant achieved a goal of the contest. [0005] The system includes a receiving device that receives payment for the item. An entry device enters the participant into the contest in response to payment for the item. A recording device records images of the participant attempting to achieve the goal of the contest. A verifying device plays the images of the participant attempting to achieve the goal of the contest. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0006] The foregoing and other features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates upon reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a system for administering a contest; [0008] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a flag pole and a first embodiment of an indicating device for use in the system of FIG. 1; [0009] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a member of the indicating device of FIG. 2; [0010] FIG. 4 is schematic view of a flag pole and a second embodiment of an indicating device showing the indicating device in a stored position; and [0011] FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the indicating device of FIG. 4 in an indicating position. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0012] The present invention is directed to a system and method for administering a contest, and more specifically, to a system and a method for administering a golf related contest. As representative of the present invention, FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a system 10. The system 10 administers a contest for achievement of at least one desired golfing goal at a golf course or a driving range. It is contemplated that the system 10 may be used to administer a contest in which more than one goal may be achieved. The desired goal of the contest may be for a hole in one on a specific green at the golf course or the driving range. The desired goal of the contest may be to hit a golf ball within a specified distance to a target, such as a hole or flag pole. It is contemplated that the specified distance may be any desired distance, such as two or three feet. The desired goal of the contest may be closest shot to a pin on the green, landing a golf ball on a specific green at a golf course or a driving range, longest putt, longest drive from a tee, or straightest drive from the tee. The system 10 may be used to administer a contest for the achievement of any desired goal. The contest may reward a person who achieves the desired goal with a prize. It is contemplated that the system 10 may also be used to reward a person for consistency of certain golf shot achievements or loyalty to a golf course or a driving range. [0013] The system 10 may include one or more video cameras 12 that receive images of a first location 14, such as a hitting area from which a person hits a golf ball or a tee box. The cameras 12 may be any desired video recording device. The system 10 may also include one or more video cameras 16 that receive images of a second location 18, such as a landing area for a golf ball hit from the first location, a fairway or a green. The first and second locations 14 and 18 may be any desired locations. The cameras 12 and 16 may record images at all times, during specific time periods, or when activated by a person who is eligible to participate in the contest. The cameras 12 and 16 may be solar powered cameras. [0014] Although the cameras 12 and 16 are shown located adjacent the first and second locations 14 and 18, the cameras may be located in any desired position. It is contemplated that any number of cameras 12 and 16 may be used. Furthermore, the cameras 12 and 16 may be mounted on a pole or poles. One camera 12 may be mounted on a pole to receive images of the first location 14 and one camera 16 may be mounted on the pole to receive images of the second location. It is also contemplated that one camera may receive images from the first and second locations. [0015] The video cameras 12 and 16 may send the images to a video recording device or recorder 22 that stores image data received from the cameras, such as a digital video recorder. The recorder 22 may be hardwired to the video cameras 12 and 16 and be located near the first or second locations 14 and 18. It is also contemplated that the cameras 12 and 16 may communicate wirelessly with the video recorder 22. Accordingly, the video recorder 22 may be located in any desired location. The video recorder 22 may be solar powered. The video recorder 22 may be enclosed in a weather proof housing (not shown). The housing may include a heating and air conditioning unit in order to control the temperature in the housing. [0016] The video recorder 22 may also communicate with a network, such as a local area network (LAN) and/or a wide area network (WAN). The network may be a wireless network. The video recorder 22 may be hardwired to the network or communicate wirelessly with the network using any desired wireless technology, such as spread spectrum technology. [0017] Although the system 10 is described as including cameras 12 and 16 that communicate with the video recorder 22, it is contemplated that each of the cameras 12 and 16 may include a video recording device that stores the image data. Accordingly, the cameras 12 and 16 may include hard drives for storing the image data. It is also contemplated that the cameras 12 and 16 may communicate directly with the LAN and/or WAN. The cameras 12 and 16 may be hardwired to the LAN and/or WAN or communicate wirelessly with the LAN and/or WAN. [0018] The images recorded on the video recorder 22 may be viewed by a person administering the contest. Accordingly, when a person alleges that they achieved a desired goal of the contest, the achievement may be verified. The person administering the contest may review the images on a verifying device, such as the video recorder 22 or review the images from a remote location away from the video recorder. If the video recorder 22 is connected to the internet, the images can be viewed by downloading the images off of the internet from a computer with internet access. The images may be sold to the person who achieved the desired goal or used for publicity and advertising. Continue reading... Full patent description for System and method for administering a contest Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this System and method for administering a contest patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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