Robotic miniature golf

Abstract

A game played on a miniature golf course is provided that includes two or more robots, each individually assigned to a player. A remote controller is individually assigned to each of the players for control of one of the two or more robots. A color-coded ball unique from the others is individually assigned to each of the players. A method of playing a golf game is also provide that includes the assignment to each player of a controller, the controller directing the operation of a specific robot. The player strikes a ball unique to the each of the players with the robot through controls passed through the controller on a miniature golf course hole with the object of urging the ball into a cup on the miniature golf course hole. The players can compete to do so by various metrics.

1 . A game played on a miniature golf course comprising:
 two or more robots, each individually assigned to one of a plurality of players;   two or more remote controllers each individually assigned to one of the plurality of players for control of the two or more robots; and   two or more balls each individually assigned to one of the plurality of players for robotic movement on the miniature golf course.   
     
     
         2 . The game of  claim 1  wherein the two or more remote controllers are dedicated wireless controllers. 
     
     
         3 . The game of  claim 1  wherein the two or more remote controllers are a tablet or smartphone having a downloadable application (app) for controlling the assigned robot and for tracking parameters related to the game. 
     
     
         4 . The game of  claim 1  further comprising a central computer, the central computer networked with the two or more robots and with the two or more remote controllers. 
     
     
         5 . The game of  claim 4  wherein the central computer is networked via Wi-Fi with the two or more robots and with the two or more remote controllers. 
     
     
         6 . The game of  claim 4  wherein the central computer tracks game results and times. 
     
     
         7 . The game of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the two or more robots further comprises one or more attachments adapted to engage to one of the two or more color-coded balls so as to guide, strike, extricate, or a combination. 
     
     
         8 . The game of  claim 7  wherein the one or more attachments is an arm, a probe, or a pusher. 
     
     
         9 . The game of  claim 1  further comprising a video camera on at least one of the two or more robots. 
     
     
         10 . The game of  claim 10  further comprising a range finding sensor associated with the video camera, an output of the range finding sensor. 
     
     
         11 . A method of playing a golf game comprising:
 assigning to each of two or more players a controller;   the controller directing the operation of a specific robot from among two or more robots;   striking a ball unique to the each of two or more players with the robot through controls passed through the controller on a miniature golf course hole with the object of urging the ball into a cup on the miniature golf course hole.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the two or more players compete. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the two or more players simultaneously race to place their assigned ball into each of a set of holes of the miniature golf course. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein one of the two or more players wins by being first to a plurality of the set of holes. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein one of the two or more players wins with the overall lowest time to complete the miniature golf course. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  wherein one of the two or more players wins with the lowest total score of hole finishes at the end of a round of holes. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising providing one of the two or more players with a video display from the robot. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising providing one of the two or more players with a range measurement to the cup. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising providing one of the two or more players with coaching via the controller as to how best to strike the ball.