U.S. patent application number 09/778009 was filed with the patent office on 2002-02-07 for method and apparatus for displaying golf ball location.
Invention is credited to Helber, Robert A..
Application Number | 20020016210 09/778009 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27399784 |
Filed Date | 2002-02-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020016210 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Helber, Robert A. |
February 7, 2002 |
Method and apparatus for displaying golf ball location
Abstract
A method for identifying position and displaying information
about the position is provided, including the steps of digitizing
visual images and electronically storing information regarding
positions displayed in the visual images; electronically displaying
the visual images; and electronically displaying information
regarding user-selected positions displayed in the visual images. A
device is provided that includes an electronic display screen for
displaying visual images and information stored on a removable
memory module. A control panel includes a control pad and buttons
that enable a user to selectively display the digitized photographs
and selected information concerning positions and objects shown on
the display device.
Inventors: |
Helber, Robert A.; (Layton,
UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SEED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW GROUP PLLC
701 FIFTH AVE
SUITE 6300
SEATTLE
WA
98104-7092
US
|
Family ID: |
27399784 |
Appl. No.: |
09/778009 |
Filed: |
February 5, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09778009 |
Feb 5, 2001 |
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09244612 |
Feb 4, 1999 |
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09244612 |
Feb 4, 1999 |
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08835868 |
Apr 8, 1997 |
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08835868 |
Apr 8, 1997 |
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08376039 |
Jan 20, 1995 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/198 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2071/0691 20130101;
A63B 2102/32 20151001; A63B 2220/20 20130101; A63B 2220/14
20130101; A63B 2220/12 20130101; A63B 71/06 20130101; A63B 2220/13
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/198 |
International
Class: |
A63B 057/00 |
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A method for identifying a location of a golf ball relative to
any location on a displayed photograph of a golf course hole,
comprising the steps of: (a) positioning at least one marker having
known linear dimensions on one or more golf course holes and taking
one or more aerial photographs of the one or more golf course holes
that include the marker; (b) digitizing the one or more aerial
photographs [of one or more holes of a golf course] into bit-mapped
pixel data and storing said data in a memory device for display on
an electronic display device; (c) scaling the bit-mapped pixels to
the at least one marker having known linear dimensions and storing
the bit-mapped pixel scaling in electronic memory; (d) spotting a
location of the golf ball visually on a golf course and manually
inputting the location of the golf ball on an input device so that
an indicator representing the golf ball appears at the location on
the golf course hole displayed on the electronic display device;
(e) electronically calculating on an electronic calculation device
a calculated distance between the location of the golf ball and one
or more locations on the displayed golf course hole using only the
scaled digitized aerial photograph and the stored bit-mapped pixel
scale and; (f) displaying the calculated distance between the
location of the golf ball and the one or more locations on the
displayed golf course hole.
2. A method for identifying the location of a golf ball, comprising
the steps of: (a) placing at least one marker having known linear
dimensions on at least one golf course hole; (b) obtaining an
aerial photograph of the at least one golf course hole and at least
one marker; (c) converting the aerial photograph into a digital bit
map having pixels assigned an address in electronic memory; (d)
scaling the digital bit-mapped pixels to the linear dimension of
the at least one marker; and (e) storing the scaled digital
bit-mapped pixel information in electronic memory; (f) displaying
the digital aerial photograph on an electronic display device; and
(g) calculating and displaying on the electronic display device the
linear distance between user-selected locations on the displayed
aerial photograph with an accuracy of plus or minus five yards.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein said step of calculating and
displaying the linear distance further comprises calculating the
linear distance using only the scaled digital bit-mapped pixel
information stored in electronic memory.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of obtaining includes
taking an aerial photograph at an altitude in the range of 1,000
feet to 2,000 feet above the at least one golf course hole.
5. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of obtaining an aerial
photograph further comprises taking an aerial photograph having a
resolution of no greater than 1/1000.sup.th of an inch to achieve
an accuracy in linear distance calculation of at least .+-.5
yards.
6. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of obtaining an aerial
photograph further comprises taking the aerial photograph from a
position that is approximately above the center of the golf course
hole to reduce oblique angle distortion at the edges of the aerial
photograph.
7. A method for calculating and displaying linear distances between
userselected locations on an electronic display of at least one
golf course hole, the method comprising the steps of: (a)
positioning on at least one golf course hole at least one marker
having known linear dimensions of sufficient length to be visible
in an aerial photograph taken from an aircraft at an altitude of
between 1,000 feet and 2,000 feet above ground level; (b)
photographing the at least one golf course hole having the at least
one marker positioned thereon from an aircraft at an altitude in
the range of 1,000 feet to 2,000 feet above ground level to create
at least one aerial photograph (c) converting the at least one
aerial photograph into digital electronic form having bit-mapped
pixels; (d) determining the scale of the digital bit mapped pixels
by referencing the known linear dimensions of the at least one
marker to the bit-mapped pixels; and (e) displaying the scaled
digital aerial photograph on an electronic display device for
calculating and displaying linear distances between user-selected
locations on the displayed digital aerial photograph using only the
scaled bit-mapped pixel information.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein said step of photographing the at
least one golf course hole further comprises using a high speed,
fine grain film to achieve a resolution of no greater than
1/1000.sup.th of an inch to enable a linear distance calculation
accuracy of at least .+-.5 yards.
9. The method of claim 7 wherein said at least one golf course hole
is photographed at an altitude of about 1,500 feet above ground
level.
10. The method of claim 7 wherein said step of photographing the at
least one golf course hole further includes positioning the
aircraft approximately above the center of at least one golf course
hole to reduce oblique angle distortion at the edges of the
photograph.
11. A method of electronically displaying a golf course hole and
calculating and displaying linear distances between user-selected
locations on the golf course hole, the steps of the method
comprising: (a) converting into digital bit-mapped format an aerial
photograph of at least one golf course hole having at least one
linear scaling marker pre-positioned thereon; (b) calculating the
scale of the pixels in the bit-mapped aerial photograph by
referencing the at least one linear scaling marker in the
photograph; and (c) displaying the bit-mapped aerial photograph on
an electronic display device for calculating and displaying
distances between user-selected locations on the displayed aerial
photograph.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein said step of calculating the
scale comprises the additional steps of verifying the scaling by
calculating at least one linear distance and comparing the
calculated linear distance with a known reliable measurement of the
same distance.
13. The method of claim 11, comprising the further steps of: (a)
transferring the scaled bit-mapped aerial photograph to a portable
memory device; and (b) connecting the portable memory device to the
electronic display device for calculating and displaying linear
distances between user-selected locations on the displayed aerial
photograph.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 08/835,868, filed Apr. 8, 1997 (now pending);
which is a file wrapper continuation of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 08/376,039, filed Jan. 20, 1995 (abandoned).
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention is directed to an electronic device
that displays a geographic area and information about user-selected
locations and objects in the area, such as relative distances
between locations, objects, and geographic features on a golf
course.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In the game of golf, the object is to hit a golf ball from
the tee into a hole on a green in as few strokes as possible. The
clubs used by a golfer to hit the ball are constructed of varying
shaft lengths and angled faces on the club head to provide varying
ball trajectories and distances of travel, thereby enabling
placement of the ball on the green as close to the hole as
skillfully possible. The ability to accurately and quickly identify
the location of the golf ball relative to other locations on the
golf course, especially distances, is critical to the successful
outcome of the game.
[0004] It is important that a golfer have an accurate measurement
of the distance from the ball to the green in order to select the
correct club. Because of sight-blocking obstacles, such as trees
and hills, it is not always possible for a golfer to see the green
and thus judge the distance a ball must travel to reach the green.
In most cases, a golfer will estimate distances based on prior
experience, which can be very subjective and imprecise. Limitations
in a golfer's eyesight and lack of experience can result in gross
misjudgment of distance. While cards that depict the layout of the
golf course holes and the distance from the green to the tee are
sometimes provided by the golf course as well as private companies,
they do not facilitate quick and accurate measurement from any
location on a golf course hole to the green.
[0005] Various methods have been proposed for measuring the
distance traveled by a golf ball, such as lasers, radio signals,
sighting devices, and the global positioning system (GPS). Such
devices are expensive, cumbersome, and relatively inaccurate. There
is a need for a portable, lightweight, relatively inexpensive
device that enables a golfer to quickly and accurately locate the
position of a golf ball relative to a green or other geographic
feature and to calculate or measure the distance from the ball to
the green or other selected geographic feature.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The invention described herein is directed to a method and
apparatus for displaying an aerial photograph and displaying
information about locations and objects in the photograph,
including relative distances. One method comprises obtaining a
photograph of a geographic area; storing the image and information
about locations and objects displayed in the photograph in an
electronic memory device; displaying the photograph on an
electronic display device; electronically selecting one or more
locations and objects in the displayed photograph; and
electronically displaying information about the locations and
objects. The "location" includes, but is not limited to, a relative
location in terms of distances from other locations, geographic
terrain features, and objects, such as structures, buildings,
signs, streets, and markers. The displayed information may include,
but is not limited to, the distance between the location and one or
more other locations on the displayed image, the address of the
location, such as the address and telephone number associated with
real property, the owner of the property, etc.
[0007] In accordance with the invention, a device is provided for
displaying locations and information about the locations, the
device comprising an electronic memory device for storing a
digitized image of an area, such as a photograph, and for storing
one or more photographs of an area and information about locations
and objects in the photograph; an electronic display device for
displaying the photograph; and an input device to enable a user to
select one or more locations and objects on the displayed
photograph and display information about the one or more locations
and objects.
[0008] The method formed in accordance with the invention for
locating and measuring the position of a golf ball, comprises
digitizing an aerial photograph of one or more holes of a golf
course and storing the digitized data in a memory device; scaling
the digitized photograph to a high degree of accuracy, displaying
the photograph on an electronic display device; selecting the
position of a golf ball on the display device; and electronically
measuring and displaying the distance between the location of the
golf ball and one or more locations and objects on the displayed
golf course hole photograph.
[0009] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the
digitizing an aerial photograph of one or more holes of a golf
course includes taking an aerial photograph of one or more holes of
a golf course. The method further includes inputting the strokes of
one or more golfers and calculating and displaying a total score
for each of the one or more golfers and related handicaps, time on
course, time for each hole, and average course and hole times.
[0010] As will be readily appreciated from the foregoing, the
invention provides a relatively simple, inexpensive, and portable
device to enable a golfer, as well as other sports enthusiasts,
governnent officials, emergency service providers, and others, to
quickly and easily locate a position of an object and display
information about the object, such as distance from the object to
geographic terrain features, the identity of the object, the owner
of the object, etc. Thus, the invention will be useful in many
areas, such as assisting emergency service providers in locating a
building or residence and identifying the owner. This would also be
useful to government agencies, utilities, and surveyors. While the
invention described herein was designed as an aid for use in
playing the game of golf, and will be described in the context of
the game of golf, it is to be understood that it may have
application in many other activities.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the
present invention will be more readily appreciated as the same
becomes better understood from the following detailed description
when taken in conjunction with and the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a flow chart depicting the steps of a
representative embodiment of the method of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a front elevational sketch of a hand-holdable,
electronic device formed in accordance with the invention and
showing the controls and a sample opening screen;
[0014] FIG. 2A is a front elevation view of an alternative
embodiment of the display device of the invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the device of FIG. 2,
illustrating a second screen of displayed information;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the device of FIG. 2,
showing a third screen of displayed information;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the device of FIG. 2,
showing a fourth screen displaying a hole of a golf course;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the device of FIG. 2,
displaying a fifth screen showing the hole displayed in FIG. 5 with
the ball in a different location;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the device of FIG. 2,
showing a sixth screen displaying the selection of a score;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the device of FIG. 2,
showing a seventh screen displaying a different hole of a golf
course;
[0021] FIGS. 9 and 10 are reproductions of a display screen
depicting a golf course hole and information about the position of
a golf ball thereon;
[0022] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the electronics for the
invention;
[0023] FIG. 12 is a flowchart depicting the steps of an alternative
method of the invention described herein;
[0024] FIG. 13 is a screen shot of a digitized aerial photograph of
a golf course hole;
[0025] FIG. 14 shows the device mounted on a golf cart;
[0026] FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the device of FIG. 14;
and
[0027] FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the device of FIG. 14.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] The invention described herein is directed to a method and
apparatus for displaying locations. The location can be a relative
location in terms of distances from other positions, or an object,
including, but not limited to, a golf ball, a building, a
geographic terrain feature, or an object in space, such as a
vehicle, planet, etc. Referring initially to FIG. 1, depicted
therein are the steps that comprise the method of one embodiment of
the invention, i.e., displaying the location of a golf ball on a
golf course. It is to be understood that while the method of the
invention will be described in this context, the method can be
applied to other activities, such as surveying, providing emergency
services, hiking, flying, and space travel.
[0029] Turning to FIG. 1, the first step of one embodiment of the
method is depicted in the first box 10, which is labeled "Aerial
Photo-Scaled." In this step, an aerial photograph is taken of the
desired geographic area. In the representative embodiment being
described herein, the photograph will be that of a golf course. A
pilot flies over a predetermined area and photographs the area,
from one to three different altitudes. This permits scaling of each
photograph at the different altitudes. The use of different
altitudes is required by the different layout of golf courses; some
are compact and require low-altitude shots, while others are more
expansive and require photographs from a higher altitude.
Furthermore, the smaller the camera, the greater number of
altitudes that must be used in order to fill the photograph as much
as possible from one end to the other.
[0030] Ideally, the aircraft is a fixed-wing, single-engine craft
that can maintain an air speed of 50 miles per hour or less. This
slow speed permits the use of slower, finer-grain film in
combination with a slightly higher camera shutter speed of around
250. While a helicopter would be ideal, it can be cost-prohibitive.
A fixed-wing aircraft is suitable because it can take relatively
low-altitude photographs that may then be enlarged without
substantial loss of detail when digitized into and displayed on an
electronic medium. Multiple-engine aircraft can be used that are
equipped with forward-looking cameras that eliminate the blurring
caused by the higher speeds.
[0031] A professional 35-millimeter camera having an 85-millimeter
lens has been found to produce acceptable photographs. If possible,
the photographs should be taken between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to
eliminate shadows. Cloud cover is ideal, if enough light is
available, because shadows are not formed. Each hole of a go If
course is individually photographed, preferably directly in the
center of the fairway in order to eliminate as much geometric
distortion as possible. By centering the hole in photograph and
maintaining an altitude of approximately 1,500 feet above the golf
course hole, the measurable geometric distortion from the tee to
the green is greatly reduced.
[0032] In taking the photographs, the aircraft and camera must be
calibrated by flying over a known 25-foot marker in an X pattern at
1,000 feet, 1,500 feet, and 2,000 feet. This enables scaling of the
photographs for later processing and identifying of the geometric
distortion at the corners of the photograph. The photograph is
considered usable for commercial purposes as long as it is within
plus or minus a yard by scale. In order for the commercialized
version of the product to be accurate within plus or minus five
yards, the photograph itself must be accurate within a yard due to
built-in distortion from the actual processing of the aerial
photography and electronic scanning or digitization.
[0033] The photographs themselves should have a resolution of no
greater than 1/1000th of an inch. This enables the enlargement that
is required without losing the detail in the final displayed image.
The photograph is developed and digitized into an enlarged eight
inch by ten inch photo. The digitized photograph is then cropped,
scaled, and additional data established (yardage, par, center of
green, etc.) and then compressed into the program module.
[0034] In the next step, depicted as the second box 12 in FIG. 1,
the negative of the photograph is scanned into a computer. Scanning
of photographs into a computer is known to those skilled in the
art, and it can be accomplished with cormnercially-available
scanning or digitizing equipment. If necessary, after scanning each
hole of the golf course is separated into individual screens as
noted in the third box 14. A scanning program can be readily
developed by one of ordinary skill that outlines the contour of
each hole, separates it, labels it, and stores it in electronic
memory.
[0035] A computer operator then inputs information about the
yardage and the recommended par for each hole. Also, as shown in
the fourth box 16 in FIG. 1, information about the scale of the
photograph is also inputted into the computer to enable precise
yardage measurement, calculation, and display.
[0036] Each hole is then individually retrieved on the computer and
indicia are placed on the digitized photographs indicating the
position of blue, white, and red tees. As is well known to golfers,
every golf course lays out its course starting with the longest
yardage as measured from the blue tees or the rear-most tee. This
area is set by regulation from the National Golf Association as 12
feet from the back of the tee area. In addition, the center of the
green, not the actual hole itself, is also identified with indicia
on the digitized photograph. Measurements are then entered as data,
identifying distances in yardage from blue, white, and red tees to
the center of the green. Using the known distance of 12 feet from
the back of the tee to the blue tee or blue stake, enables a
computer operator to enter data of measurements to other areas on
the golf course hole. For instance, fairways having doglegs would
be measured by adding the two measured distances down the center of
the fairway, as would be done using a conventional tape measure.
This step of scaling each hole is depicted in the sixth box 20.
[0037] The data and other required information for each hole is
then used to scale each hole as a bit map, making each pixel an
address from and to the identified targets on the golf course hole,
i.e., the tees and the middle of the green. The yardage is then
verified by displaying the hole on a computer monitor and moving an
indicator (using a mouse, arrow keys, or a touch screen) to the
blue stake position. The calculated yardage "from tee" should read
0. The indicator is then moved to the center of the green and the
yardage "to green" should also read 0. This is one method of
verifying yardage scaling, as shown in the seventh box 22.
[0038] Next, the data for the golf course is compressed into a
program consisting of either 9, 18 or 27 holes. The program is then
"burned" or loaded into a plug-in module. Ideally, each module will
have two to three megs of memory and be able to hold up to four
18-hole golf courses. The modules may also contain programming that
permits storing of the history of the number of strokes for the
last two times the user has played that hole. This information will
be entered by the user during the actual play of the hole.
[0039] Referring, again to FIG. 1, following the eighth box 24,
which depicts the step of loading the program into the modules, is
the step referred to in the ninth box 26 of programming a base
unit, such as a hand-holdable electronic display device, to
retrieve and display golf course holes as identified by a series of
screen options selected by a user. Referring to options displayed
in the screen, the user manipulates the controls on the base unit
to look up the history of strokes for the hole currently displayed.
The user can retrieve current standings, i.e., how far above or
below par for the displayed course. In addition, the base unit can
be programmed to display which golf course is chosen, information
about the golf course, such as phone number, address, number of
holes, slope, and rating. In addition, advertising can be
programmed into the modules for display at various times in the
program.
[0040] Referring next to FIG. 2, depicted therein is a front
elevational sketch of a hand-holdable display device 28, the lower
half of which is a control panel 30 and the upper half of which is
a display screen 32. The display device 28 is constructed of
commercially-available components, including a 1/4VGA LCD display
32, such as the Sharp Electronics Corp. LM320081. The actual case
may be designed to have a variety of shapes, such as the
ergonomically designed device 28 shown in FIG. 2A.
[0041] In the representative embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the
control panel 30 includes a control pad 34 and four buttons 36-42.
The control pad 34 controls movement of the cursor, which is shown
on the display screen 32 as a darkened triangle 44. Movement of the
cursor is illustrated with the dotted lines. The control pad 34 has
four legs 46 at right angles to each other, with small
triangle-shaped indicia 48 thereon indicating the direction of
cursor movement when the leg is depressed. This type of control pad
is known in the art and is readily commercially available.
[0042] Shown in FIG. 2 is a representative example of an opening
screen. Th screen contains the words "Welcome to Spotter," and
"Using the arrow, select the course you are playing." The three
courses available for display listed below, which are Fair Oaks,
Valley View II, and Ogden Valley in Utah. The courses to be
displayed on the display screen 32 are selected from the courses
that are loaded onto a plug-in module 50 shown projecting upward
from the displayed device 28). The plug-in module is a five volt 4
Mb EEPROM commercially available from Silicon Storage Technology,
Inc., part no. 285F040 SuperFlash EEPROM.
[0043] Loaded onto the module 50 is a compressed program containing
the digitized photographs of the golf course holes for each of the
golf courses and the scaling information and yardage. The display
of this information in the module is partially controlled by the
control pad 34. In addition, the buttons 36-42 control the
processor and memory storage components (not shown) inside the
display device 28. These components are also commercially available
units, such as a Motorola, Inc. MC 68HC000 micropower
microprocessor and a Motorola, Inc. MCM54800 A DRAM.
[0044] In operation, a user will power up the display device 28
after the module 50 has been plugged in. The opening screen directs
the user on how to select courses and the courses that are
available on that particular module 50. In the example illustrated
in FIG. 2, the golf course "Valley View II" has been selected with
the control pad 34.
[0045] More particularly, the first menu shown in FIG. 2 will be
displayed upon power up of the device 28. The particular golf
course of choice will be selected by using the control pad 34 to
toggle through the choices. Once a choice has been selected, the
user will push button (1) 36 to pop up the next menu screen shown
in FIG. 3. This screen will be displayed until the user again
pushes button (1) (36, which then pops up the third screen depicted
in FIG. 4.
[0046] Turning next to FIG. 3, illustrated therein is a front plan
view of the display device 28 of FIG. 2 showing the second screen
on the display screen 32. This screen gives the name, address,
telephone numbers, number of holes, and slope rating for each of
the blue, white, and red tees. This second screen 52 is then
de-selected by pressing the button (1) 36.
[0047] FIG. 4 illustrates the third screen 54, which contains
directions to the user on how to select the hole on which the user
is starting.
[0048] By using control pad 34, the user will be able to toggle
through the various hole selections. Once having determined the
hole the user would like to view, the user again pushes button (1)
36. This displays the bit-mapped graphics representation of the
whole the user has selected, as shown in FIG. 5. In this case, the
user has selected hole number 3 of the selected golf course, which
then causes the fourth screen 56 depicted in FIG. 5 to be
displayed.
[0049] Shown on the display screen 32 is a digitized aerial
photograph of the entire hole, including the tee 58, the fairway
60, sand traps 62, and the green 64. Also displayed on the screen
are the par and total yardage figures for the course as well as a
history of the user's average score for playing this hole.
[0050] In the bottom right-hand portion of the display screen 32
are the words "From Tee" 66 and "To Green" 68. Following each of
these words is a numeral for the distance measured in yards from
the ball location arrow 70 to the specific geographic feature, in
this case the tee and the green. More specifically, in FIG. 5 the
ball location arrow 70 is on the tee. Therefore, the distance "From
Tee" 66 is "0" ; and the distance "To Green" is "276" yards. While
in this screen, the user, by utilizing control pad 34, will be able
to move the cursor displayed on the screen. Simultaneously, the
yardage from the cursor to the green and from the cursor to the tee
will be displayed.
[0051] Turning next to FIG. 6, the fifth screen 72 shows the same
hole 3. However, the golfer has now hit the ball from the tee 58
onto the fairway 60. After spotting the ball on the fairway, the
golfer moves the ball location arrow 70 with the control pad 34 to
indicate within plus or minus five yards the position of the golf
ball on the fairway 60. Now, the distance "From Tee" reads 180,
which is the distance in yards, and the distance "To Green" now
reads 95, which is the distance to the green in yards from the
location of the ball. Pressing button (1) 36 will cause the sixth
screen 74 to be displayed.
[0052] FIG. 7 depicts the sixth screen 74, which is the screen in
which the golfer selects the score and enters it into the computer
in the display device 28. The user will be able to toggle through
the various stroke choices by utilizing the control pad 34. Once
having toggled to the stroke, the user wishes to save, the user
pushes button (1) 36 and the strokes for this hole will be saved.
This action also pops up the third menu screen 54 shown in FIG. 4.
Since the third hole has just been completed, the user will select
the fourth hole, which is illustrated as the seventh screen 76 in
FIG. 8. The above process is then repeated until the user has
finished playing all nine or eighteen holes. The user closes this
golf course by pushing button (2) 38, which brings the user back to
the first screen 32 illustrated in FIG. 2. The user can then either
choose to go to another golf course or to quit by turning the power
off on the device.
[0053] Buttons (3) 40 and (4) 42 may be eliminated or used to
control additional features, such as displaying other distances or
additional information about the user's history on playing this
particular golf course. For instance, when the screen is displaying
the bit-mapped graphics, the user may zoom in on a particular
geographic area on the golf course. This zoom function is initiated
by pressing one of the buttons, i.e., button (1) 36. By repeatedly
pressing this button, the area on which the cursor is placed will
be enlarged, preferably in 25% increments, until the zoom reaches a
maximum of preferably 200%. Pressing the button after the maximum
is reached will return the display to the 100% display. In other
words, once the zoom function has begun, the user must zoom to the
maximum in order to return to the regular display.
[0054] FIGS. 9 and 10 are reproductions of display screens showing
a digitized photograph 90 of a golf course hole. The cursor 98 is
shown as a circle having vertical and horizontal cross-hairs 100,
102 intersecting in the center thereof. On the top portion of the
display illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 is an optional menu bar 104
that includes the various options available to the user in this
alternative embodiment. Depicted under the menu bar 104 is a
display bar 106 displaying the par for the hole, the distance in
yardage from the blue, white and red tees, the number of the hole
presently being played, and a button 108 that activates the zoom or
enlargement feature.
[0055] Displayed on the lower portion of the screen illustrated in
FIGS. 9 and 10 is another display bar 110 showing the yardage from
the intersection of the cross hairs 100, 102 in the cursor 98 to
the green 114 and from the tee 112. In FIG. 9, the cursor 98 is
placed over the approximate position of the ball, and the yardage
is displayed in the lower display bar 110. Similarly, in FIG. 10,
the golf ball has been moved closer to the green 114. Hence, the
cursor 98 has been moved to the right on the display 90, with the
resultant change in the yardage depicted in the lower display bar
110.
[0056] Turning next to FIG. 11, illustrated therein is a block
diagram of the electronics for the display device 28. The "LCD"
module block 78 is the primary display screen 32 for the display
device 38. It consists of a 1/4VGA color Liquid Crystal Display
(LCD) for the color unit and a 1/4VGA LCD for the monochrome
unit.
[0057] The LCD controller block 80 represents the LCD controller
that receives bit mapped graphics (BMP) and characters from the
microprocessor 82 and stores this data in the video memory 84. The
video memory 84 is provided to relieve the microprocessor 82 of
continually sending the BMP to the controller 80 each time the
display screen 32 is refreshed. The display is a restor scanned
device that essentially has rows and columns of pixels or
individual light outputting or modulating devices. These pixels are
turned on in rows one by one down the screen. This is known as a
restor scan. Once the restor scan has reached the bottom of the
device, the process is started over, and this is called the
refresh.
[0058] In addition to decoding characters, the controller 80
interfaces the LCD module 78 to the microprocessor 82 and the video
memory 84. Decoding characters is here meant to be the process of
receiving digital information and translating this information into
pixels to be displayed on the display screen 32.
[0059] The "I/0" block 86 is the programmable input-output (PIO)
device that the microprocessor 82 programs to send the BMP and
characters out to the LCD controller 80. Additionally, the
microprocessor 82 uses the PIO device 86 to retrieve user
information from the keyboard 88. In this case, the voltage level
signal from the keyboard 88 is converted to digital information for
the microprocessor 82, i.e., analog-to-digital conversion. The
keyboard 88 is a five-key device that consists of the control pad
34 with the four legs 46 and the four enter/select buttons
36-42.
[0060] The microprocessor 82 is the main processing unit of a
display device 28. It consists of a 32-bit "strong arm" chip to
accommodate the CE language, although a 16-bit microprocessor chip
(not shown) along with all of its supporting electronics can be
used. These supporting electronics interface the microprocessor 82
to the other components, and they protect the microprocessor 82
from potentially destructive input from an open connector when the
ROM plug-in module 50 is not present.
[0061] The ROM module 50 is a plug-in cartridge or a portable
drive, such as a Clik! Drive from lomega Corporation in Roy, Utah,
that stores the microprocessor operating system, the BMPs, and the
microprocessor program. It consists of programmable, read-only
memory (PROM). The microprocessor operating system is the
information the processor needs to communicate with all the
components described herein. The microprocessor program is the
instructions the microprocessor carries out to provide information
to the user.
[0062] The hand-holdable display device 28 also contains random
access memory (RAM) 92. The microprocessor will retrieve the
operating system and the program from the module PROM 90 and store
this in RAM 92. This is because the RAM 92 is much faster than the
ROM memory and the module 90 and facilitates an increase in speed
of the system.
[0063] The power supply 94 may be self-contained voltage output
devices, such as standard alkaline batteries or rechargeable nicad
batteries. The clock 916 includes a crystal oscillator. This
oscillator provides system timing to the LCD module 78 and the
microprocessor 82. The system timing is necessary to synchronize
the microprocessor 82 output and input to and from the other
digital devices in the hand-held display device 28.
[0064] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a
high-precision method for displaying golf ball location and other
information is provided. In this embodiment, a high-precision
measuring device, such as a laser, is used to measure the distance
on each hole of a golf course. This distance measurement is used to
scale digitized aerial photographs to an accuracy of within one to
five yards.
[0065] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, in this method the length of
each of the holes 122 of a selected golf course is measured,
preferably with a commercially available laser measuring device.
Less preferred would be an optical tool, such as that used by
highway departments for measuring distances. Initially, the fairway
centerline 123 of each hole 122 is determined by measurement (Step
A) from the sides of the fairway 124. The centerline 123 is
extended through the tee area 125 on one end and through the green
126 on the other end. In a dogleg situation or where the fairway
124 has multiple turns, the intersections 127 of the fairway
centerlines 123, 123a are marked for placement of a reflector to
redirect the laser down the centerline.
[0066] A base marker 128 is placed on the centerline 123 near the
back edge 125a of the tee area 125. A green center point 129 is
identified on the centerline 123a in the center of the green 126.
The green center point 129 is determined by taking one half of the
distance between where the centerline 123a enters the green 126 and
where the centerline 123a exits the green 126. A laser device (not
shown) is then placed on the base marker 126 and aligned with the
centerline 123 of the fairway 124 to obtain a precise distance
measurement from the base marker 128 to a receiver positioned at
the green center point 129 (Step B).
[0067] After the length of each hole is measured and the laser
equipment removed, an aerial photograph is taken of each hole.
Prior to taking the photograph, the base marker 128 on each hole is
covered with a high-visibility flag. In this embodiment, a twenty
inch by twenty inch bright orange flag is placed on the base marker
128. Grommets in the flag enable it to be staked down to ensure the
flag remains in place. A small flag is all that is required, which
facilitates easy and rapid placement on each hole. Although it is
not required, a separate marker may be placed on the green center
point to facilitate later scaling of the photograph.
[0068] After all of the holes on the course are marked with the
flag, an aerial photograph of each hole is taken (Step C). In order
to achieve the desired accuracy, a nine inch negative mapping
camera having six inch linear distortion tolerance is used. Each
hole is photographed with color film, preferably more than
once.
[0069] The photograph is developed in a conventional manner, then
digitized (Step D) into electronic medium using a
commercially-available optical scanner. Alternatively, a
high-resolution digital camera may be used to provide a photograph
in electronic form if the resolution is high enough for the desired
accuracy. When the photograph is digitized, it is preferably
scanned in at six, seven, or eight inches with twenty-four bits of
color for each bit pixel, and a bitmap file is created.
[0070] The digitized photograph 130 is then displayed
electronically using a commercially-available software program,
such as Adobe Photo Shop. A hole identification (HID) file is
created (Step E) for each hole to be used in scaling the
photograph, identifying hazards, calculating distance, and other
functions described below.
[0071] The digitized aerial photograph 130 is preferably scaled in
the following manner. The base marker 128 is identified in the
digitized photograph 130, either electronically or visually. The
center of the fairway 124 is determined, again either visually as
an estimate, or more preferably by measurement on the screen using
the Adobe software. Where the fairway changes direction, the
intersection 127 of the centerlines 123 , 123a of the straight
portions of the fairway 124 are identified by drawing a visible
line down the centerline of each straight portion of the fairway,
starting at the base marker 128 on the tee 125.
[0072] The centerline 123a of the final leg is drawn through the
green 126. The center point 129 of the green 126 is identified
either from a pre-positioned marker or by positioning an electronic
marker 132 on the center point 129. The center point 129 is
determined by marking one half the distance between the front of
the green 126 and the rear of the green 126 on the center line 123a
of the final leg of the fairway 124.
[0073] The total number of pixels in each leg of the centerline
123, 123a from the base marker 128 to the green center point 129 is
next determined by counting or by using the Adobe Software. The
total pixels are then divided by the previously-measured yardage to
obtain the number of pixels per yard. Alternatively, the number of
yards per pixel may be used by dividing the total yardage by the
total number of pixels, although the preferred method is pixels per
yard. In this embodiment, the number of pixels per yard can vary
from 1.0 to 10.0, on average, depending upon altitude of the camera
and the resolution. It is important that each hole be separately
scaled to provide the highest level of accuracy.
[0074] The scale in pixels per yard and the location of the green
center point 129 are included in the HID file. Also included in the
HID file in this embodiment is the identification of three hazards,
such as sand traps 134, water, and trees. These hazards are within
a range of 100 to 250 yards of the tee, and more preferably 150 to
225 yards, for purposes to be described below. The scaled digitized
photographs 166 and HID file 164 (shown in FIG. 16) are saved onto
a portable memory device (Step F), such as the Clik! Disk portable
disk 162 available from lomega Corporation in Roy, Utah. The disk
is loaded with programming software for calculating distance, and
tracking player scores, time on each hole, accumulated time, and
other information, which is described in more detail below.
[0075] The software is then interfaced (Step G) with existing golf
course software. A parallel port connection can be used to provide
the hardware interface. This enables updating of the scaled
digitized photograph and input of golfer names, average course and
hole times, golfer handicaps, course announcements, advertising,
and the like, on the disk 162. This interface also enables later
downloading of golfer information, such as the golfers' scores,
time on the course, and time on each hole, from the disk 162 to the
golf course software.
[0076] The updating of the digitized scaled photograph from the
golf course software includes, but is not limited to, adjustment in
the position of the green center point to the actual location of
the pin for each hole. This correction factor enables a golfer to
precisely locate the pin on the hole, even though the actual view
of the pin from the course may be obstructed. This further permits
precise yardage calculation to the pin instead of to the measured
center point on the green.
[0077] Once the information on the disk 162 is updated from the
golf course software with golfer and course information, the disk
162 in then taken (Step H) to the golf-cart 140 mounted unit 142,
shown in FIGS. 14-15. The unit 142 includes a case 144 that is
physically attached to the golf cart 140. Mounted in the case 144
is an LCD screen 146, and overlaid on the LCD screen 146 is a touch
screen, preferably a 16-bit touch screen 147. These two screens
146, 147 are readily commercially available. Ideally, a twelve inch
600 by 800 high-resolution TFT LCD screen with touch screen
attached is used.
[0078] FIG. 16 illustrates in block diagram form the portable
system 160 of the invention. Mounted in the case is an on-board
computer. In one embodiment, a 586 computer having a 133 megahertz
or faster processor with 32 megabits of RAM and 4 megabits of
"disk-on-chip" for a hard drive is used. An lomega removable Clik!
Mobile Drive 149 is mounted in the case to receive the disk 162.
The removable drive 149 and disk 162 take the place of a 3-1/2inch
disk. Because the disk 162 holds up to 40 meg of memory and
transfers information at twice the speed of a regular disk, it is
the preferred method for storing and transferring graphics in a
JPEG format to the RAM in the on-board computer 148. This
eliminates the requirement of a large hard drive.
[0079] In RAM, the JPEG file is unzipped or expanded into a 24 bit
bitmap and then displayed on the LCD 146. Ideally, at least three
hole bitmaps are loaded at one time so that when a golfer is ready
to go to the next hole, there is not a long wait to load the
graphic of the next hole. The micro-operating system running the
on-board computer 148 in this embodiment is written in CE language
that can be run from the disk-on-chip.
[0080] The case 144 is sealed to protect from water and the
elements. Mounting of the case 144 under the roof 150 of the cart
140 provides additional protection from the sun, rain, dust, etc.
The unit 142 is powered by the cart battery.
[0081] The device will now be described as used in conjunction with
a golf course database. The golf course enters daily updates
regarding course information, pin locations, reserved golfer times,
etc., into the golf course database. As golfers come in to play,
the course operator interfaces the disk 162 with the course
software as described above (Step G) to download the names of the
golfers, other golfer information, and course information as
described above. The golfers then take the disk 162 to the cart
where it is inserted (Step H) into the disk drive 149 in the unit
142. An opening screen briefly displays the course logo, welcomes
the golfers, and then displays a map of the entire course. Also
displayed on the screen 146 are the numbers 152 representing each
of the course holes being played by the golfers that day. Optional
advertising may also be displayed as well as announcements
concerning hazards and changes on the course that are included in
the course announcements previously downloaded by the golf
course.
[0082] Golfers select their beginning hole by either touching the
displayed hole on the course map or touching the numeral of the
hole displayed on the touch screen 147.
[0083] The first hole 154 is displayed with an arrow indicating the
location of the blue tee on the displayed hole. Automatically
displayed at the same time are the distances in yards from the blue
tee to the front, center point, and back of the green along the
fairway centerline. Alternatively, the distance to the pin itself
may be displayed in addition to or in lieu of the three previous
distances. Also displayed on the screen are the distances from the
blue tee to the three previously identified hazards that are within
a range of 150 to 225 yards from the tee. When hazards are altered
by the golf course, the HID file 164 can be configured to be
updated by the golf course software to display revised distances or
other information as necessary. The HID file 164 can also be
manually updated to identify other hazards, revise existing
information and functions, and add new information and
functions.
[0084] When a golfer tees off from a different tee, they will touch
the screen 147 at the red or white tee, then touch a displayed
button labeled "set ball." The arrow then moves to the new tee
location, and all displayed yardages are updated to be calculated
from the new tee location. Each golfer can use these features when
they tee off without using their identification.
[0085] After the golfers have teed off, the cart 140 is driven to
the area where the first ball is located. It is important to note
that an advantage of this embodiment is that it is not necessary to
drive the cart to the precise spot where the ball is located, as is
required with GPS systems. Thus, the cart can remain on the path
and damage to the course is avoided. The golfer of the first ball
touches the screen 147 where the ball is located and then touches
the "set ball" button. If necessary, the golfer can zoom in on the
displayed photograph of the hole 154 to more precisely locate the
ball. When the golfer touches "set ball," the yardages to the
front, center point, and back of the green, or to the pin itself,
are updated as well as the yardages to the three
previously-identified hazards. However, if a golfer is more than 75
yards away from the tee on the first shot, then the distance to the
three hazards may be automatically turned off.
[0086] After the golfer touches "set ball," distances to any other
location or object on the displayed golf course hole 154 may be
obtained by simply touching the screen 147. Each touch of the
screen 147 displays a distance in yardage from the last "set ball"
location to the touch point. In addition, the yardage to the green
from the last touch point is updated. Thus, after the golfer has
relocated the position of the golf ball, further touching of the
screen 147 allows the golfer to see distances to any point on the
fairway as well as updated distances to the green from the
newly-touched location.
[0087] After the first golfer has hit the ball a second time, the
cart 140 is driven to the area where the next ball is located and
the second golfer goes through the same steps described above with
respect to the first golfer. Once the golfers have put in at the
green, they each enter their scores through the touch screen 147 by
identifying the golfer and then their total score.
[0088] During play on the course, the unit 142 can optionally
display the length of time the golfers take to play each hole as
well as the accumulated time. A visible or audible warning can be
included to alert golfers when they have exceeded the average time
for any hole. This optional feature can be disabled by the golfer
or the course.
[0089] After the golfers have finished playing the course, the disk
162 is removed (Step I) from the unit and returned to the golf
course pro shop, The disk is then interfaced with the golf course
software and the golfer's scores, time on each hole, and
accumulated time on the course is downloaded. The golf course
software then updates the golfers' scores and handicaps (Step J) as
well as time on each hole and the course.
[0090] Optional advertising may be included that is displayed
periodically on the screen as the golfers are traveling around the
course. Golfers may be given the opportunity to elect to receive
additional information on one or more displayed products or
services. Golfers' choices for additional information is also
downloaded by the golf course. When the golf course updates its
software, the request for additional information is sent to the
product or service provider, and catalogs or other information may
be mailed to the requesting golfer's home address or to the
golfer's attention at the golf course.
[0091] It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of
the invention has been described herein, various changes may be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
In addition, the present invention has uses outside the field of
golf.
[0092] By way of illustration, an additional use would be for
government agencies, such as emergency rescue teams, permitting
departments, land development entities, real estate industry,
engineers, utilities and city and county officials for locating
buildings or other objects within a geographical area.
[0093] For instance, aerial photographs of a city in one-half
square mile, two and a half square mile, and ten square mile
increments are digitized. In addition, the one-square-mile
ownership maps held in each county are also scanned into the
computer. The aerial photograph is then identified and matched with
the ownership plots. The outline of the city is also scanned in to
establish lines that divide the city into quarters. Each quarter of
the city would have a computer address of which the aerial photos
belong. Each one-half square mile digitized photo would have
corresponding stored memory of the one-half square mile ownership.
A user would be able to use this unit to locate the owner of a
certain building, land, lot, etc.
[0094] A user would simply toggle the arrow over to the section of
the city on the digitized photograph, press the enter button, and
receive a ten-square mile aerial view of the part of the city
located by the arrow. The user would then toggle over with the
arrow and locate the quarter-mile or two and-a-half mile area of
interest and again hit enter. Then using a zoom function, the user
could zoom into the photograph and identify the area within
one-half square mile. The user then zooms in again to the actual
building, lot, etc., and hits another key that causes the program
to display the name, address, and phone number of the owner of the
identified building or property. In addition, the device 28 can be
configured to print instead of or in addition to displaying the
information.
[0095] Another use is to slave the present invention with a global
positioning system (GPS). In this use, the aerial photograph of all
airports and landing sites available to small aircraft would be
digitized and entered into the computer. Since each landing site is
already mapped and identified by longitude and latitude in degrees,
each landing site would be so identified and the program interfaced
with the GPS so the actual photograph of the nearest landing site
will appear on the screen and display how far and what heading
needs to be taken to get to this landing site. This device would
also enable the pilot to enter the coordinates into the GPS, which
would then signal to the program what landing sites are available
by photo. Currently, the GPS will list the landing sites in order
by name and degrees, but the addition of the present invention
would enhance visual identification of the site by the pilot
through seeing the photograph of the runways on the display
device.
[0096] Finally, another use would be assisting park rangers,
hikers, and other outdoor enthusiasts in locating their position.
Similar to the method described above for locating the owner of a
building, a geographic area, such as a federal park, would be
photographed and digitized into the computer. The user would zoom
in on his exact location to within one-half square mile. This would
permit the user to visually see where trails lead and enable him to
navigate on the exact trail shown in the photograph. A GPS system
could also be used in connection with this proposed use.
* * * * *