U.S. patent application number 09/235233 was filed with the patent office on 2002-06-27 for distance determination method and system for a golf course.
Invention is credited to COLLIER, RICHARD DAVIS, HUSTED, MARK BURTON, MOORE, MICHAEL V., PIPPIN, JOHN FESTUS, PUGH, MICHAEL RAY, ROGERS, MARK DENNIS.
Application Number | 20020082122 09/235233 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22884663 |
Filed Date | 2002-06-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020082122 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PIPPIN, JOHN FESTUS ; et
al. |
June 27, 2002 |
DISTANCE DETERMINATION METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR A GOLF COURSE
Abstract
The present invention provides a system for updating mobile
distance determination units on a golf course that includes a first
mobile unit that determines a new location for a point-of-interest
defined for a golf course. The first mobile unit wirelessly
transmits update data to identify the new location to a base
station computer. The base station computer processes the updated
data for broadcasting to activated second mobile distance
determination units. The base station computer then wirelessly
broadcasts the updated data from the base station computer to the
second mobile distance determination units. The second mobile
distance determination units update their point-of-interest
location data and use this updated data to determine distances
between the second mobile distance determination units and the new
locations. The mobile distance determination units may operate in a
golfer mode to provide distance measurements to golfers, may
operate in the greenskeeper mode to update the pin positions, or
may operate in a surveyor mode to define new points of interests
and their locations on the golf course.
Inventors: |
PIPPIN, JOHN FESTUS;
(ALPHARETTA, GA) ; MOORE, MICHAEL V.; (DULUTH,
GA) ; COLLIER, RICHARD DAVIS; (LAWRENCEVILLE, GA)
; HUSTED, MARK BURTON; (AUBURN, GA) ; ROGERS, MARK
DENNIS; (LAWRENCEVILLE, GA) ; PUGH, MICHAEL RAY;
(NORCROSS, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MORRIS MANNING & MARTIN LLP
1600 ATLANTA FINANCIAL CENTER
3343 PEACHTREE ROAD, NE
ATLANTA
GA
30326-1044
US
|
Family ID: |
22884663 |
Appl. No.: |
09/235233 |
Filed: |
January 22, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/407 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2102/32 20151001;
A63B 2220/14 20130101; A63B 2220/12 20130101; A63B 57/00 20130101;
A63B 2220/13 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/407 |
International
Class: |
A63B 057/00 |
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A system for use in determining distances between a mobile
distance determination unit and points-of-interest on a golf
course, comprising: storage means containing a plurality of
operating mode modules downloadable when selected by a user into
the mobile distance determination unit for operation therein, each
of said modules containing instructions, information, and data
including predefined points of interest, for operating the mobile
distance determination unit in given mode of operation; a base
station comprising means for receiving and processing GPS signals,
means for receiving and transmitting RF signals, means for
communicating data, instructions and messages to an operator, means
for receiving inputs from said operator for processing by said base
station; and means for downloading at least one of said operating
mode modules to the mobile distance determination unit in response
to a user request; a mobile distance determination unit comprising
means for receiving and processing an operating mode module
downloaded therein, means for receiving and processing GPS signals,
means for receiving and transmitting RF signals, means for
communicating data, instructions and messages to a user, and means
for receiving inputs from said user for processing by said mobile
distance determination unit, said mobile distance determination
unit being operable in at least one of a plurality of modes in
accordance with the information and data contained in the
downloaded operating mode module; said mobile distance determining
unit when downloaded with a first one of said operating mode
modules being operative in a first mode of operation to determine a
first location of the mobile distance determination unit, to
calculate the distances between the first location and predefined
points-of-interest locations stored in the mobile distance
determination unit, and to display the distances calculated between
the first location and the predefined points-of-interest; said
mobile distance determining unit when downloaded with a second one
of said operating mode modules being operative in a second mode of
operation to determine a second location of the mobile distance
determination unit and to associate the second location with a
point-of-interest on a golf course, thereby defining a
point-of-interest/second location association, said mobile distance
determination unit being operative to transmit said
point-of-interest/second location association to the base station
for communication to mobile distance determination units when
operating in said second mode; said mobile distance determining
unit when downloaded with a third one of said operating mode
modules being operative in a third mode of operation to determine
GPS signal coverage and RF signal coverage of the golf course; and
said mobile distance determining unit when downloaded with a fourth
one of said operating mode modules being operative in a fourth mode
of operation to determine the location of a movable asset when
placed on such asset and communicating the changing location of
such asset to the base station as said asset moves.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the first, second, third, and
fourth mode of operation is determined in response to a user
selecting the desired mode of operation for the mobile distance
determination unit.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the means to download the
operating mode module is a RF wireless transmission.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the means to download the
operating mode module is an interface socket provided on the base
station to which said mobile distance determination unit is
connected.
5 The system of claim 1 wherein, when the mobile distance
determination unit is operating in the first, second, or fourth
mode of operation, the operating mode module data is updated with
new data transmitted from the base station.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the operating mode module further
comprises duty cycling functionality.
7. The system of claim 6 wherein the duty cycling functionality is
programmable for use in one of the following modes: distance of the
mobile determining unit from the hole, power usage of the mobile
distance determination unit, operator defined variables, and
pattern of play and such duty cycling mode is activated upon
downloading into the mobile distance determination unit.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein each mobile distance determining
unit has a unique identification that is addressable by the base
station.
9. The system of claim 8 where the base station maintains and
tracks the location of each mobile distance determination unit by
its identification.
10. The system of claim 1 wherein the mobile distance determining
unit performs a power on self test of its components on
activation.
11. The system of claim 1 wherein the power capacity in the mobile
distance determining unit is determined prior to use on the golf
course.
12. The system of claim 1 wherein the download of the operating
mode modules further comprises the RF frequencies of operation to
be used by the mobile distance determining unit.
13. The system of claim 1 wherein said second operating mode module
is operative to provide a list of point-of-interest types to a user
for selection, said second operating mode module being operative to
associate said second location with a point-of-interest type
selected from said list by said user, and being operative to
communicate said association to said base station.
14. The system of claim 13 wherein said point-of-interest
association is wirelessly communicated to said base station.
15. The system of claim 1 wherein for each operating mode module at
least one of said points-of-interest evaluated for each golf hole
on the golf course is selected from a group comprising: a golf hole
located on a green of a golf hole on the golf course, a hazard on
said hole, a tree on said hole, the front of the green on said
hole, and the back of the green on said hole.
16. The system of claim 1 wherein said mobile distance
determination unit is a hand held unit.
17. In a system having one or more mobile distance determination
units in operation on a golf course and communicable with a base
station, a method for updating mobile distance determination units
on a golf course, comprising the steps of: operating a first mobile
distance determination unit to determine a new location for a
point-of-interest defined for a golf course; wirelessly
transmitting update data to identify said new location from said
first mobile distance determination unit to a base station;
processing at said base station said updated data for broadcasting
to said operating mobile distance determination units; wirelessly
broadcasting said updated data from said base station to said
operating mobile distance determination units; and updating at said
operating mobile distance determination units point-of-interest
location data contained therein with said updated data, said update
data being used to determine distances between said operating
mobile distance determination units and said new locations.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein said first and operating mobile
distance determination units are operative to operate in a first or
second mode of operation comprising: said first and said operating
mobile distance determination units determining a first location of
the mobile distance determination unit, calculating the distances
between the first location and predefined points-of-interest
locations stored in the mobile distance determination unit, and
displaying the distances calculated between the first location and
the predefined points-of-interest when operating in said first
mode; said first and said operating mobile distance determination
units determining a second location of the mobile distance
determination unit and associating the second location with a
point-of-interest on a golf course, thereby defining a
point-of-interest/second location association, said mobile distance
determination unit being operative to transmit said
point-of-interest/second location association to a base station for
communication to mobile distance determination units when operating
in said second mode.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein said distances are determined
using global positioning system (GPS) satellites.
20. A method of alerting a user that a distance measurement request
contains inaccurate data in mobile distance determination system,
comprising the steps of: (a) receiving an indication from a mobile
distance determination unit that a distance measurement is to be
made for a user identified point-of-interest; (b) determining the
location of the mobile distance determination unit based on GPS
signals; (c) determining whether the location determined in step
(b) is within a predetermined range of known location coordinates
for said point-of-interest identified by said user; (d) indicating
that the point-of-interest identified by the user is not correct if
said location determined in step (b) is not within said range.
21. A method of alerting a user that a mobile distance
determination unit is improperly located, comprising the steps of:
(a) determining the current location of the mobile distance
determination unit based on GPS signals; (b) determining whether
the location determined in step (b) is within a pre-determined
range of known unacceptable location coordinates; and (c)
indicating that the mobile distance determination unit is not
properly located if said location determined in step (b) is within
said range.
22. A method of ensuring that distance measurements determined in a
mobile distance determination unit for a golf course are accurate,
comprising the steps of: calculating a sample location measurement
for a mobile distance determination unit for determining distances
on a golf course in response to a user request; determining whether
said sample location measurement is within a predetermined range of
a first selected number of previously determined location
measurements for said mobile distance determination unit; computing
a current location measurement using said sample location
measurement and said previously determined location measurements if
said sample location measurement is within said predetermined
range; successively computing a second number of location
measurements; and using said second number of location measurements
to compute a current location for said mobile unit if said sample
location measurement is not within a predetermined range of said
previously determined location measurements.
23. The method of claim 22 wherein said step of using comprises
computing a weighted average of the sample location measurement and
said second number of location measurements.
24. The method of claim 23 wherein the weighted average is
established by using GPS parameters to establish a weight for each
particular sample location measurement.
25. The method of claim 23 wherein the step of successively
computing further comprises computing a variable number of sample
locations where said number is based on a user defined threshold
being reached.
26. A method of presenting point-of-interest data of a course to a
user of a mobile distance determination unit, comprising the steps
of: determining the location of a mobile distance determination
unit on a golf course using GPS signals; calculating the distances
from the mobile distance determination unit to points-of-interest
downloaded in the mobile distance determination unit for the golf
course; and displaying for a particular shot to be made by the
golfer only those points-of-interest defined for the golf hole that
the golfer is playing that are within golfer specific parameters
defined specifically for said golfer.
27. The method of claim 26 further comprising displaying for a
particular shot to be made by the golfer a unique pro tip defined
for the golf hole that the golfer is playing that is within golfer
specific parameters defined specifically for said golfer.
28. The method of claim 26 wherein said golfer specific parameters
are based on the golfer's skill.
29. The method of claim 28 wherein said golfer specific parameters
are defined during an activation procedure for said mobile distance
determination unit.
30. A mobile distance determination unit for use in determining
distances on golf courses, comprising: means for communicating
information to and from a user, said means comprising visual
displays, audible displays and vibratory displays; means for
receiving inputs from the user; a processor being operative to
determine a first location of a mobile distance determination unit,
to calculate the distances between the first location and
predefined points-of-interest locations stored in the mobile
distance determination unit, and to communicate the distances
calculated between the first location and the predefined
points-of-interest to the user; and a paging unit located in said
mobile distance determining unit for receiving a pager message
signal to a golfer for which said mobile distance determination
unit is activated.
31. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein said pager message signal
informs said golfer to report to a specified location on the golf
course.
32. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein said pager message signal
informs said golfer of the playing conditions of the golf course,
said conditions comprising weather alerts, local rules, golf cart
usage, and unique text messages.
33. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein said pager message signal
informs said golfer that the current location of mobile distance
determination unit is in a prohibited area.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to systems for determining
distances on golf courses, and particularly to systems which
determine the distances to points-of-interest using electronic
means.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Whether a person is a professional, seasoned, or novice
golfer, one of the key concerns of the golfer on the golf course is
determining the distance from the current ball position to various
points-of-interest. These points-of-interest often include, the pin
position, the front or back of the green, sand traps, trees,
creeks, lakes, etc. Over time, various methods for determining the
distance to these points-of-interest have been devised. Such
methods include techniques as simple as walking off the distance
between the ball and the points-of-interest, guessing based on
vision, or a combination of walking off the distance from yardage
markers positioned on the golf course and guessing. While these
methods have served golfers for a number of years, other more
technologically advanced systems have been devised. These advanced
systems include binoculars with a laser distance device, electronic
point identifier units, and global positioning satellite systems to
name a few. With the binocular-laser system, the binoculars include
a distance unit that enables a golfer to locate an object. When
activated, the distance unit on the binoculars sends a laser signal
to the object and the distance between the golfer and the object
can be determined by evaluating the laser reflection. With the
point identifier units, a stationary electronic unit may be placed
on points-of-interest, such as a flag pole, and when the golfer
directs a point identifier unit towards the pin, the unit transmits
a signal to the stationary electronic unit and determines the
distance between the point identifier unit and the golfer unit.
While each of these systems provide the distance to a golf pin or
points-of-interest, these systems have disadvantages.
[0003] The binocular system requires the user to see the
points-of-interest for which the distance measurement is to be
determined. Being able to see the points-of-interest is not always
possible particularly when the golfer has poor vision or in the
morning time when the golf course is foggy. With the point
identifier units, these units require the positioning of an
electronic unit on a point-of-interest. Positioning an electronic
unit on a flag pole is not always practical because the flag pole
is frequently moved which may cause physical damage to the unit or
the unit may be exposed to inclement weather. Additionally, in
order to avoid wear and tear on such a unit, the golf course
personnel may be required to remove the units each day. This can be
a very time consuming task.
[0004] In a global positioning system (GPS), the location of a
golfer or mobile unit associated with the golfer may be determined
using position signals received from satellites. Many of these
systems include a fixed, central base station at the golf course
club house and numerous mobile units positioned on golf carts.
Mobile units typically include a GPS receiver and a radio
communications transceiver. The mobile units contain a database of
records that include the locations of various points-of-interest on
the golf course. The mobile unit has a GPS receiver and determines
its location on the golf course and the base station unit typically
has a GPS receiver which determines its location on the golf
course. The base station unit calculates its GPS position from the
signals and compares the calculated position signal to the known
fixed location of the base station to compute a differential
position correction. These differential position corrections are
transmitted to the mobile units to enable the mobile units to
determine a more accurate position estimate.
[0005] The GPS system is a satellite-based radio navigation system
capable of determining continuous position, velocity and time
information for an unlimited number of users. The GPS is funded and
controlled by the U.S. Department of Defense and the constellation
of GPS satellites includes 24 satellites, 21 operational
navigational satellites, and three (3) active spares, in 12-hour
orbits around the earth. The satellite orbits repeat the same
ground track and configuration approximately each day (four minutes
earlier each day). To cover the earth, six orbital planes with
nominally four satellites each are equally 60.degree. apart and are
inclined at approximately 55.degree. with respect to the equator. A
user tracking GPS signals typically can receive signals from five
to eight satellites from any location on the earth.
[0006] A GPS receiver converts the various satellite signals into
position, velocity, and time estimates. Signals from four
satellites are typically required to determine relative position as
a function of longitude, latitude, altitude, and time. The GPS
receiver processes the multiple signals from the available
satellites simultaneously to achieve these position measurements. A
GPS receiver at a known surveyed location can be used to compute
error corrections which are transmitted to other nearby receivers.
These receivers use these error corrections in combination with
their satellite data to produce a more accurate differential GPS
(DGPS) position correction. Differential GPS (DGPS) techniques are
frequently implemented to achieve a higher degree of accuracy than
possible with absolute (single receiver) measurements. When both
the base station units and mobile remotes are close together with
respect to the distance from the GPS satellites (less than a 100
kilometers), DGPS can remove common-mode errors that affect
absolute single receiver measurements. These common-mode errors
include selective availability (SA) and bias errors, such as
satellite clock errors, ephemeris data errors and trophospheric
delay effects. DGPS does not correct errors due to multi-path or
noise detected at the receiver.
[0007] While using GPS to provide position estimates to
conventional mobile distance units operated by golfers are useful,
pin changes and the associated updates must be completed before the
golfer begins the round so that the mobile unit can be updated with
the correct positions. Because the pin positions on a golf course
are routinely changed in the morning after some golfers begin to
play, the mobile units operated by the golfers will not have the
most recent pin positions information. In other GPS mobile distance
systems for golf courses, the pin positions are determined by
basing distance calculations on a pre-determined daily pin area
position. With the day of week identified, the distance to the pin
position area for the day of the week can be determined. However,
these estimates may not be as accurate as a golfer would like.
Furthermore, although DGPS systems are accurate, some golfers,
particularly expert golfers, prefer that the system yield a better
margin of error than these systems typically provide. Additionally,
in many of the golf distance determination systems,
points-of-interest are displayed to a golfer that are not relevant
to the golfer's particular shot. Displaying irrelevant
points-of-interest can be distracting to a golfer who is evaluating
his options presented on a display screen of a mobile distance
determination unit.
[0008] Thus, there is a need in the art for a distance
determination system which enables efficient updating of databases
of mobile distance units and there is a need in the art for a
distance determination unit which accurately measures distances to
points-of-interest and provides only relevant information to the
golfer for use in evaluating the golfer's options.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Generally described, the present invention provides a
distance determination system that enables efficient updating of
databases of mobile distance units and that accurately measures
distances to points-of-interest.
[0010] More particularly described, an embodiment of the present
invention provides a system for updating mobile distance
determination units on a golf course that includes a first mobile
unit that determines a new location for a point-of-interest defined
for a golf course. The first mobile unit wirelessly transmits
update data to identify the new location to a base station
computer. The base station computer processes the updated data for
broadcasting to activated second mobile distance determination
units. The base station computer then wirelessly broadcasts the
updated data from the base station computer to the second mobile
distance determination units. The second mobile distance
determination units update their point-of-interest location data
and use this updated data to determine distances between the second
mobile distance determination units and the new locations.
[0011] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a
mobile distance determination unit that operates in one of five
modes of operation. In the first mode of operation the mobile
distance determination unit can determine a first location of the
mobile distance determination unit, calculate the distances between
the first location and predefined points-of-interest locations
stored in the mobile distance determination unit, and display the
distances calculated between the first location and the predefined
points-of-interest. In the second mode of operation, the mobile
distance determination unit can determine a second location of the
mobile distance determination unit and associate the second
location with a point-of-interest on a golf course, thereby
defining a point-of-interest/second location association. Also, in
the second mode of operation, the mobile distance determination
unit can transmit the point-of-interest/second location association
to a central operating station for communication to mobile distance
determination units. In a third mode of operation the mobile
distance determination unit can be used to locate the pin positions
on the green. In a fourth mode of operation the mobile distance
determination unit can be used to test the system and assess the
GPS and RF signal coverage available on the golf course. In a fifth
mode of operation the mobile distance determination unit can be
used to track assets on the golf course.
[0012] A first software module may be downloaded from an activation
station to the unit when the user indicates that the unit is to
operate in a first mode of operation. Similarly, a second, third,
fourth and fifth software module may be downloaded from the
activation station to the unit when the user indicates that the
unit is to operate in the second, third, fourth or fifth mode of
operation, respectively.
[0013] In the second and third modes of operation, a user may
define points of interest on the golf course to be stored for use
in determining distances to these points of interest. Specifically,
the unit provides a list of point-of-interest types available to be
defined for the golf course. The mobile unit then transmits the
point-of-interest type selected by the user and the location of the
selected point-of-interest type in association with each other to
define the position of the point-of-interest data in the database
for communication to mobile units. In the fourth mode of operation,
the unit may be used to assess GPS and RF coverage of the golf
course. In the fifth mode of operation, the unit may be used to
track the location of movable assets such as a mower to establish
time standards.
[0014] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a
method of alerting a user that a distance measurement request
contains inaccurate data in the mobile distance determination
system. In this method, an indication is received from a mobile
distance determination unit that a distance measurement is to be
made for a user identified point-of-interest. The location of the
mobile distance determination unit is determined based on global
positioning system satellite signals and the user is alerted that
the newly calculated position of the point-of-interest identified
by the user is not correct if the location determined is not within
a predefined range of known location coordinates for the
point-of-interest. This process when modified can also alert a user
that the unit has been taken into an unacceptable or prohibited
area.
[0015] Another embodiment of the present invention includes a
mobile distance determination unit for use in determining distances
on golf courses that has a processor that is used to determine a
first location of the unit, to calculate the distances between the
first location and predefined points-of-interest locations stored
in the mobile distance unit, and to display the distances
calculated between the first location and the predefined
points-of-interest. This mobile distance unit also includes a
paging unit located in the mobile distance unit for providing an
pager message signal to a golfer. For example, the message signal
may indicate to a golfer that the golfer is to report to the first
tee or that the golfer has taken the unit into a prohibited
area.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a diagram of the overall distance determination
system of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a base station computer system and
point of sale terminal used for activating a hand-held unit.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a screen of the point of sale
terminal used to receive golfer specific parameters.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the components of the base
station computer system.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a diagram of the hand-held unit and the golfer
mode display screen.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a diagram of the pro tips screen presented in the
golfer mode of the hand-held distance unit.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a diagram of the screen displayed in the
greenskeeper mode of the hand-held distance unit.
[0023] FIG. 8a is a diagram of the points-of-interest type
selection screen of the surveyor mode of the hand-held distance
unit.
[0024] FIG. 8b is a diagram of the distance determination screen
for the surveyor mode of the hand-held distance unit.
[0025] FIG. 9 is a diagram of the screen for the test mode of the
hand-held distance unit.
[0026] FIG. 10 is a diagram of the pager alert screen of the
hand-held distance unit.
[0027] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the components of the
hand-held distance unit.
[0028] FIG. 12 is a diagram of the components of the auxiliary unit
of the base station system.
[0029] FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of the activation processes of the
present invention.
[0030] FIGS. 14a-14c are flow diagrams of the processes implemented
in the greenskeeper mode of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 15 is a flow diagram of the operation of the processes
of the greenskeeper mode.
[0032] FIG. 16 is a diagram of the processes implemented in the
surveyor mode on the hand-held distance unit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033] A description of the preferred embodiment of the present
invention is provided in connection with the accompanying Figures.
Aspects of the invention provide an improved system and method for
determining the distance between the golfer and various
points-of-interest on a golf course. Advantageously, a distance
determination and communications system 10 of the present invention
enables changes in golf hole or pin locations to be communicated in
real-time to a central base station, and the central base station
may transmit the pin location updates in real-time to hand-held
distance determination units carried by golfers on the golf course.
The position of a golf hole on a golf course is often referred to
as the pin position because a flag or pin extends up from the hole.
The transmission of location updates in real-time ensures that
golfers have accurate pin location information and saves time by
not requiring the hand-held distance unit to be returned to the
club house or central base station for updates.
[0034] As used herein the terms "hand-held distance unit," "mobile
distance determination unit," "HHU," "hand-held-distance
determination unit," and "distance determination unit" are used
interchangeably.
[0035] A hand-held distance determination unit operating according
to the principles of the present invention may serve multiple
functions within the distance determination and communication
system 10. Specifically, the distance determination unit may
operate in five different modes: a golfer mode, a greenskeeper
mode, a surveyor mode, a test mode and a asset tracking mode. Each
of these modes provides a different functionality within the
distance determination and communication system 10. In addition to
providing operational efficiency advantages over prior systems, the
present invention also incorporates modules that display golf
course information to a golfer based upon specific parameters
entered in the system about the golfer. Other features of the
system increase the accuracy of determining position fixes or
locations for the golfer and includes features that increase the
operational life of the battery-powered mobile unit. These features
are described in more detail in connection with the Figures.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 1, an overall diagram of the distance
determination and communication system 10 of the present invention
is illustrated. A system 10 of the present invention includes a
central base station 14 located at club house 15, navigational
satellites 16A-16D and numerous mobile distance units, such as
hand-held distance unit 18. The navigational satellites 16A-16D
transmit global position system (GPS) position signals 28 that are
detected at a central base station via a base station GPS antenna
22 and the position signals 28 are also detected at the hand-held
distance unit 18 by a hand-held distance unit GPS antenna 26. With
this information, the hand-held distance unit 18 and the central
base station 14 can determine their respective locations. The base
station unit 14 at the club house 15 may determine the amount of
error in the GPS position signals and transmit radio frequency (RF)
signals 30 to the hand-held distance unit 18 to provide a
correction signal to the hand-held unit 18 so that accurate
distance measurements can be provided to the golfer 34. The radio
frequency signals 30 are transmitted between the base station and
the hand-held distance unit 18 via a base station RF antenna 36 and
a hand-held distance unit RF antenna 38. With the correction signal
information, the hand-held distance unit 18 can determine a more
accurate distance to a point-of-interest, such as the distance to
the flag or pin 42, and display this information to the golfer 34.
Other information may be transmitted between the base station 14
and hand-held distance unit 18 via RF signals 30 and the radio
antennas 36 and 38. The base station 14 comprises means for
receiving and processing GPS signals, means for receiving and
transmitting RF signals, means for communicating data, instructions
and messages to an operator, means for receiving inputs from the
operator for processing by the base station 14, and means for
downloading at least one of a plurality of operating mode modules
to the mobile distance determination unit 18.
[0037] The mobile distance determination unit 18 comprises means
for receiving and processing an operating mode module downloaded
from the base station 14, means for receiving and processing GPS
signals, means for receiving and transmitting RF signals, means for
communicating data, instructions and messages to a user, and means
for receiving inputs from said user for processing by the mobile
distance determination unit. The mobile distance determination unit
18 is operable in at least one of a plurality of modes in
accordance with the information and data contained in the
downloaded operating mode module.
[0038] Other operations of the hand-held distance unit 18 include
wirelessly transmitting pin position updates to a central base
station, as well as defining points-of-interest on the golf course
which may also be wirelessly transmitted to the base station. The
update information and newly defined points-of-interest are
transmitted from the hand-held distance 18 unit via the hand-held
unit RF antenna 38 to the base station RF antenna 36. This
information may be wirelessly transmitted to all golfers on the
golf course immediately after the updated or new location has been
received and processed at the base station. Depending on the mode
of operation the hand-held distance unit 18 can receive pin
position updates or transmit points-of-interest updates.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 2, a base station 14 that is maintained at
a fixed location at the club house 15 is illustrated. The base
station in the preferred embodiment comprises a base station
computer 50, a point of sale terminal 54 and an activation socket
56 for receiving a hand-held distance unit 18. The base station
computer 50 has a database, records and tables that identify the
different types of points-of-interest, the location of various
points-of-interest on the golf course, and operational parameters
for the hand-held units 18. The points-of-interest include the
location of pins, the locations of sand traps, the location of
other landmarks on the golf course, or the location of the pins or
markers on the practice areas of the course such as the driving
range. The base station 14 is the central point of communication
for mobile distance units 18 on the golf course and the base
station computer 50, in conjunction with a point of sale terminal
54, activates hand-held distance units 18 for use in connection
with the system 10. The base station computer 50 and the point of
sale terminal 54 communicate the points-of-interest data via a
bi-directional serial link 58. An activation socket 56, which is
connected to the point of sale terminal 54, is used in activating
the hand-held distance unit 18. Alternatively, the base station
computer can be programmed to provide the functionality found in
the point of sale terminal 54. This would eliminate the need for
the point of sale terminal allowing the activation socket 56 to be
connected directly to the base station computer 50. The specific
points-of-interest data, software, or other information down-loaded
from the base station computer 50 to the hand-held distance unit 18
is determined based on which mode of operation is selected for the
hand-held distance unit 18. As illustrated, five modes of operation
are available for the hand-held distance unit 18. These modes are
the golfer mode 60, a greenskeeper mode 62, a surveyor mode 64, a
test mode 66, and an asset tracking mode 68.
[0040] When hand-held distance determination unit 18 is to be
activated, the hand-held distance unit 18 is placed in the
activation socket 56 where the base station unit can establish a
direct serial communication with the hand-held distance unit 18.
This direct serial communication occurs via link 58 and point of
sale terminal 54. When the hand-held distance unit 18 senses a
charge voltage that is present in the activation socket 56, the
hand-held distance unit 18 will power-up for activation. The point
of sale terminal 54 then verifies proper authorization or payment
for the user selected mode of operation and initializes several
parameters for the hand-held distance unit. The operational
parameters initialized are the current time, position, almanac and
ephemeris data for the GPS satellites 16A-16D, UHF transmit and
receive (TX/RX) frequencies), coordinate conversion scale factors,
and other software variables. Also, depending upon the selected
mode of operation a points-of-interest table, pro tip table, or
personality parameters are initialized. The hand-held distance unit
18 may also utilize a power cycling circuit. When a duty cycling
program is used, a particular power cycling mode or operational
mode as discussed above is also initialized. Advantageously, this
download of parameters and course data permits the hand-held
distance unit 18 to be used on a different golf course without the
need to retrofit the unit.
[0041] As generally noted above, when the hand-held distance unit
18 is in the golfer mode 60, the distances between
points-of-interest and the golfer are displayed on a display screen
of the unit 18. For example, when a golfer desires to know the
distances to the points-of-interest, the golfer inputs information
identifying the golfer's local area (typically the hole the golfer
is playing) and activates a button on the hand-held unit. The
location of the golfer is determined using the GPS receiver of
hand-held distance unit 18 and the hand-held distance unit 18
calculates the distances between the golfer and pre-defined
points-of-interest based on information stored in the unit. In the
preferred embodiment of the present invention, only the
points-of-interest data that are relevant to the particular golfer
is displayed. That is, only selected points-of-interest data from
the total points-of-interest stored in association with the hole is
displayed. For example, the present invention takes into account
the distance that a golfer is able to hit a golf ball or the skill
of the golfer (these items are personality parameters). For
example, distances more than 270 yards away, except for the pin
position which is always displayed, or points-of-interest behind
the golfer are not displayed. Thus, to ensure installation or
activation of the proper software version for a golfer in the
hand-held distance unit 18 a person operating the point of sale
terminal 54 selects the golfer mode 60, and a golfer mode screen is
displayed for obtaining golfer specific parameters.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 3, the golfer mode display screen 70 is
illustrated. When the golfer mode screen 70 is displayed, data
entry fields are presented for a user to enter the golfer's
specific skill data. For example, the golfer mode display screen 70
may have an input field 72 for the golfer's handicap and an input
field 74 for the driving distance of the golfer. These golfer
specific parameters are correlated or matched with information in
the base station computer 50 (FIG. 2) to select the specific
software or initialize parameters in the software to define which
selected points-of-interest data are to be displayed based upon the
golfer's skill level.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 4, a more detailed view of the base
station computer 50 which maintains and processes point-of-interest
data is illustrated. A golf information database 80 is located
within or accessible by the base station computer 50. The golf
information database 80 includes golfer modules 78A and 78B and
includes a points-of-interest/pro tip database 82. The golfer
modules cause different points-of-interest to be displayed on a
hand-held distance unit 18 depending on the golfer's identified
handicap, driving distance or other parameters. It should be
appreciated that independent golfer modules 78 may be associated
with a specific set of golfer specific parameters for use in
determining which points-of-interest are to be displayed or a
single golfer mode module may contain adjustable parameters within
the module golfer specific points-of-interest. The golfer
information database 80 also includes a greenskeeper module 84, a
surveyor module 86, a test mode module 87 and an asset tracking
module 85. The greenskeeper module 84, surveyor module 86, the test
module 87 and the asset tracking module 85 may also be downloaded
to the hand-held distance unit 18 to provide the respective
functionality as discussed herein. The golfer information database
80 also contains operational parameters (not shown) used by the
hand-held distance units 18. The operations of the base station
computer 50 are controlled and managed by a base station processor
88.
[0044] The base station computer 50 also contains a paging unit 90
and an auxiliary unit 92. The auxiliary unit 92 contains the
primary circuitry for establishing wireless remote communication
with GPS satellites 16A-16D and hand-held distance units 18. The
paging unit 90 enables golf course personnel to page golfers via
the hand-held distance units 18. The paging unit 90 can be used to
notify golfers of their tee time, delays in play, or other
information. The paging unit utilizes the radio transceiver in the
auxiliary unit 92 to transmit the page messages to the hand held
distance unit 18.
[0045] The base station computer 50 is connected to and
communicates with the point-of-sale terminal 54 by via serial link
58 and a base station unit-POS link 57. The POS terminal 54
includes a processor 93 and an activation unit 94. The combination
of the base station computer 50, POS terminal 54 and activation
socket 56 comprises the base station 14 for the system 10. The
processor 93 manages and controls the operations of the POS
terminal 54. The processor 93 and the activation unit 94 activate a
hand-held distance unit 18 for the appropriate mode of operation in
conjunction with the base station computer 50. Alternatively, the
hand-held distance unit 18 can be activated using a wireless
transmission from the base station 14 using RF signals 30 and
antennas 36 and 38.
[0046] When a hand-held distance unit 18 is being activated for the
golfer mode 60, the base station computer 50 downloads the
appropriate operating mode module that includes operating
parameters for the distance unit 18, the points-of-interest data,
pro tip data, and the appropriate golfer mode module 78 to the
hand-held distance unit 18. With the downloaded information, the
hand-held distance unit 18 is now equipped for operation and to
display golf course information pertinent to the individual golfer.
The surveyor mode module 86 includes a list of possible
points-of-interest types that may be defined for the golf course
when the hand-held unit 18 is activated in the surveyor mode. The
surveyor module computes and wirelessly communicates
points-of-interest positions defined by a user to the base station
unit for storage. The greenskeeper mode module 84 computes updated
pin positions and wirelessly communicates these updates to the base
station unit 14. The asset tracking mode module 85 computes current
position of the asset and wirelessly communicates this to the base
station 14. The test mode module 87 computes various RF, GPS, and
other hand held unit 18 operational data and wirelessly
communicates that data to the base station 50.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 5, the hand-held distance unit 18 is shown
in more detail. The screen 96 of the hand-held distance unit 18 is
displayed when the hand-held distance unit 18 is operating in the
golfer mode 60. As illustrated, various points-of-interest are
displayed on the display screen 96. Particularly, for the hole
shown, a hole field 98 giving the number of the hole being played
is displayed along with the pin distance field 100, back of the
green distance field 102, front of the green distance field 104,
and the right bunker position field 105. Additional fields
providing other points-of-interest may also be displayed depending
on the hole being played. The hand-held distance unit display
screen 96 also has an option 108 for selecting a pro tip.
[0048] The operation of the hand-held distance unit 18 is simple
and may be controlled by the use of only four input pushbuttons
which are used to initiate varied operations in each of the
different modes. Particularly, the hand-held distance unit 18
contains a next hole button (NEXT) 110, a previous hole button
(PREV) 112, a yardage request button (YARDAGE) 114, and a soft-key
button (SEL) 116. The golfer defines which hole the golfer is
playing by pressing the next hole button 112 or the previous hole
button 110. When the golfer presses the previous hole button 110,
the golf hole number decrements. When hole "1" is displayed and the
previous hole button is pressed, the 18th hole appears.
Alternatively, if use of the hand held distance unit 18 on the
practice range is desired, the location for the range targets and
other points of interest on the practice range can be entered in
hole "0" or hole "19" and this "hole" would display when the golfer
stepped through the holes, however instead of the label hole "0" or
hole "19" the hand-held distance unit 18 would display "Driving
Range" in the hole field 98. The next hole button 112 performs the
opposite function of the previous hole button 110 and causes the
next golf hole after the currently displayed golf hole to be
displayed in the hole field 98. Alternatively, the hand held
distance unit 18 can be configured when in the golfer mode 60 to
automatically advance holes that are displayed as the golfer plays
his or her round of golf based on the hand held distance unit's
current position in relation to known positions on the golf course
or to automatically determine its position on the course when it is
in a relatively static position.
[0049] When a golfer desires to obtain yardage information, the
golfer stands near his ball and presses the yardage button 114.
Although the GPS receiver within the hand-held distance unit 18 is
continuously on and determining the current position of the
hand-held unit, the yardage information for the particular hole is
not displayed until the yardage button 114 is pressed. When the
yardage button 114 is pressed, the system determines the current
location of the golfer and then utilizes the known location of
other points-of-interest on a hole to calculate the distance from
the user's current location to these points-of-interest. These
points-of-interest are displayed in the fields 100, 102, 104, and
106 as discussed above. As discussed above, software routines have
been incorporated to eliminate points-of-interests on a particular
hole which are too far away to be of concern for the particular
golfer (maximum range value) or too close, such as less than 25
yards away (minimum range value). These software routines for the
displaying the points-of-interest data preferably do not display
points-of-interests for the hole that are behind a golfer.
Therefore, the hand-held distance unit of the present invention
only displays information that is truly relevant for the golfer's
current golf shot. Preferably, the distance to the pin field 100 is
always displayed. After the yardages are displayed to the various
points-of-interest, the golfer can press the soft key button 116 to
obtain a pro tip.
[0050] In FIG. 6, the information displayed on the display screen
96 when the pro tip 108 is selected is illustrated. When the pro
tip 108 is selected in the golfer mode 60, a pro tip 130 for the
hole and the current shot that the golfer is playing is provided.
For example, the pro tip 130 displayed in FIG. 6 advises the golfer
that "The green slopes toward the front. Play shot to the left
front of the green to avoid right side bunker." The pro tip 130 is
one of many pro tips stored in the database of the hand-held
distance unit 18. The pro tips stored in the databases used with
the present invention may correlate the pro tips to the golfer's
particular handicap and to the distance to the pin and/or various
points-of-interest. The user may press the SEL button 116 to return
to the previous screen where the distances to points-of-interest
based on the user's last yardage request are displayed.
Additionally, from the pro tip screen 130, the user may press the
yardage button 114 to obtain a new set of distances for the hole
display.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 7, the information displayed on screen
display 96 when the hand-held distance unit 18 is operated in the
greenskeeper mode 62 is shown. When the hand-held distance unit 18
is operating in the greenskeeper mode 62, a greenskeeper or user is
able to define new pin locations on the golf course and these
locations may be wirelessly transmitted in real-time to the base
station 14 for updating. As known, the pin positions on golf
courses are typically moved on a daily basis. When the pin
positions are moved, the system of the present invention provides
an improved method for tracking the new pin positions and provides
pin updates to all users of the system 10 when the updates are made
to ensure that all users have the latest updates for the pin
positions. The system could be said to have four modes of operation
in that the greenskeeper mode can be viewed as a subset of the
survey mode in that the points-of-interest to be determined is
limited to the pin locations on the greens.
[0052] When the greenskeeper or user moves the pin to a new
position on the green, the new pin position is measured and
transmitted back to the base station 14 for storage and processing.
The greenskeeper selects the appropriate hole with the previous
hole button 110 or the next hole button 112 (or the hole can be
automatically determined as discussed previously). The greenskeeper
then positions the hand-held distance unit over the hole and
presses the yardage button 114 to obtain measurements for the new
hole location. Several measurements are calculated when the user
presses the yardage button and these measurements are compared to
determine whether an accurate measurement for the hole has been
obtained. The accuracy of the measurement is verified by two
criteria. First, several sets of GPS readings are obtained after
the user presses the yardage button 114 and are compared to
determine if the all are within a small error range of each other.
Also, GPS parameters may be compared and weighted. If the readings
are all within the selected error criteria of each other, the
measurements are averaged to produce the location for the current
hole position, which is the longitude, latitude, and altitude for
the position where the golfer pressed the yardage button is
obtained.
[0053] The latitude, longitude and altitude measurement obtained
for the hole is compared to the known latitude, longitude and
altitude for the hole selected by the user. A latitude, longitude
and altitude obtained when the user presses the yardage button is
evaluated to determine if the greenskeeper currently measured
latitude, longitude and altitude fall within a specified radius of
the known latitude, longitude and altitude stored for the hole. If
the greenskeeper latitude, longitude and altitude are not within
the specified sphere of the known latitude, longitude, and altitude
the hand-held distance unit 18 indicates to the user that the user
has selected an incorrect hole. However, if the latitude, longitude
and altitude obtained for the hole fall within the specified
sphere, the updated pin position is wirelessly transmitted by the
radio antenna 38 to the base station 14 where the base station 14
stores the new pin position for transmission to other golfers on
the golf course. The base station 14 wirelessly broadcasts in
real-time the new pin position to all golfers on the golf course.
The hand-held distance units 18 receive the broadcast signals 30
via the radio antennas 36 and 38 of the system and these new pin
positions are stored into the hand-held distance units 18.
Therefore, the hand-held distance units are updated in real-time
when the pin positions are obtained and transmitted to the base
station unit. By wirelessly transmitting updates to the hand-held
distance units 18 after the units are fully activated for use on
the golf course, the golfers receive updated pin locations via the
hand-held unit in real-time without having to return to the club
house.
[0054] FIG. 8a illustrates the information displayed on a display
screen 96 when the hand-held distance unit 18 is operating in the
surveyor mode 64. In the surveyor mode 64, a user or surveyor may
identify and define new points-of-interest on the golf course,
obtain the location for these new points-of-interest, and transmit
these new points-of-interest back to base station 14 for storage.
The base station 14 may transmit these pin positions immediately to
other golfers on the course or store these pin positions for use or
transmission to a hand-held distance unit 18 when the hand-held
distance unit 18 is activated. Those hand-held distance units
operating in a mode that can use this information will do so, for
example, a hand-held unit operating in the test mode would not have
need of this information and would not use it whereas a unit in the
golfer mode would. Typically, the surveyor mode 64 is only used
when a golf course is being initially configured. Because
points-of-interest other than the pin position do not routinely
change, the surveyor mode 64 is less frequently used than the other
modes of operation. As in the greenskeeper mode 62, the surveyor
mode 64 also has the capability of wirelessly transmitting updates
for points-of-interest in real-time to the base station 14 for
transmission to users or for storage. Therefore, the most recent
information for points-of-interest is available on demand
immediately after points-of-interest have been defined or
redefined.
[0055] In the surveyor mode 64, display screen 96 displays
information on the various points-of-interest to the user for
selection to define the points-of-interest on the golf course. For
example, the hand-held distance unit 18 may display a pin position
label 140, a back of green label 142, a front of green label 144,
front left bunker label 146, a right fairway bunker label 148, and
a creek label 150. Each of the labels 140-150 are
points-of-interest that are defined in the points-of-interest
database 82 stored in connection with the present invention. As
discussed in connection with the other modes of the hand-held
distance unit 18, the user selects the hole that the user is on by
using the previous hole button 110 and the next hole button 112.
After selecting the hole that the user is on, the user moves a
cursor 160 using the NEXT button 112 and PREV button 110 to the
points-of-interest label that the user desires to define for the
system 10. The user may select the label by pushing the SEL button
116 to match the cursor to the desired points-of-interest. After
the user has selected the point-of-interest label for which
measurement is desired, the user presses the yardage button 114 to
indicate that a yardage measurement is desired.
[0056] FIG. 8b illustrates the surveyor mode screen displayed when
the user selects a point-of-interest to be calibrated for the golf
course. Similar to the greenskeeper mode 62, when the user desires
to calibrate or measure the distance for the points-of-interest
variable selected, the user positions the hand-held distance unit
18 over the position of the points-of-interest to obtain distance
measurements or position fixes for the points-of-interest. As
illustrated in FIG. 8b, the hand-held distance unit displays at 162
the points-of-interest label that was selected by the user. Here,
the front left bunker label 146 was selected. This field of the
surveyor mode 64 will vary depending upon the points-of-interest
variable selected by the user when the screen of FIG. 8a is
displayed.
[0057] To obtain a measurement for the surveyor mode 64, the
surveyor positions the hand-held distance unit 18 over the
points-of-interest and presses the yardage button 114. The
hand-held distance unit 18 calculates several readings over a short
period of time and compares these readings to determine if the
readings are consistent. If the readings are consistent, the
hand-held distance unit 18 transmits the points-of-interest
selected and the position location to the base station unit 14 for
storage. The base station unit 14 may then wirelessly broadcast the
positions obtained in the surveyor mode 64 to hand-held distance
units 18.
[0058] FIG. 9 illustrates information displayed on display screen
96 when the hand-held distance unit 18 is operating in the test
mode 66. In this mode various operating parameters are displayed on
the hand-held unit 18. These include, battery voltage 910, a GPS
counter 914 (that indicates that the GPS receiver is generating new
positions), the current latitude 922, longitude 924, and altitude
926, current X 916, Y 918 and Z 920 positions relative to the base
station location at coordinates 0, 0, 0, a UHF counter 912
(indicating that data communicated over the UHF link is being
received), distance in yards from the base station 938, number of
satellites used in the current position location 928, type of GPS
fix 930--2D or 3D, whether the GPS fix is a differential fix 932,
current DOP 934 (dilution of precision, a relative figure of
satellite geometry) and a RSSI (relative signal strength indicator)
936 displaying current signal level of UHF receive signal along
with a measurement of the noise level. Using this information, a
field survey can be performed to assess RF coverage and GPS
coverage. This information can be transmitted back to the base
station unit 14 for storage and later analysis.
[0059] In the asset tracking mode 68, the hand-held distance unit
18 presents a fixed display indicating that it is in the asset
tracking mode. In this mode the hand-held unit 18 continually
reports its position to the base station unit 14 for tracking its
current position. Data is stored for later analysis of asset
movement or to establish time standards to perform a task such as
mowing a given fairway.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 10, as discussed above, the system of the
present invention also provides paging capability in the
communications system 10. Specifically, the base station unit 14
and the hand-held distance unit 18 have paging capabilities.
Particularly, the base station unit 14 and the hand-held distance
unit 18 used the RF transceivers 1150 and 1222, respectively, to
act as a paging unit which enables communication between the two
devices. Paging capabilities are convenient because a golf course
covers a large area of land and it is often difficult for the golf
course personnel to track golfers or to convey important
information to the golfers. However, the system of the present
invention provides a method of communication between the golfer and
the golf course personnel.
[0061] As illustrated in the example of FIG. 10, when a golfer is
on the driving range or putting green warming up before a round of
golf, the club house personnel may send a page to the golfer's
hand-held distance unit 18 to notify the golfer that it is time to
report to the first tee. For example, in FIG. 10, a page alert 200
is issued to the golfer. The page alert may include an audible
sound, a flashing message or vibration to alert the golfer that the
golf course personnel are trying to communicate with the golfer.
The page alert may display a message 210 such as "Please report to
the first tee" to ensure that all golfers report to the tees on
time to keep play on the golf course moving. The user is instructed
by a message on the display screen 96 to press the SEL button 116
to indicate to the golf course personnel that the golfer has
received the page from the golf course personnel. It should be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that the message displayed
to the golfer may vary. For example, the club house personnel may
input a message for the golfer to "return to the club house",
"report to the 10th tee", "speed up your pace of play" or some
other message. Club house personnel are able to identify particular
golfers because each hand-held distance unit 18 has a unique
identification number stored therein. This unique identification
number is used to identify hand-held distance unit 18 to the club
house personnel for tracking purposes, paging purposes, or for
other purposes.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 11, a block diagram of the components of
the hand-held distance unit 18 is illustrated. The hand-held
distance unit 18 has an activation interface 1102, a data and
communications bus 1104 interconnecting the components, a memory
module 1106, a processor 1120, an input device 1130, e.g.
pushbuttons, a paging alert circuit 1140, a radio transceiver 1150,
a GPS receiver 1160, a display screen 96, such as an LCD display,
and low noise amplifier 1165, a GPS antenna 26 and a RF antenna 38.
The hand-held distance unit 18 contains many of the components
contained in the base station unit 14 however on a smaller scale.
As indicated above, the hand-held distance unit 18 performs a
number of functions. The hand-held distance unit 18 has a hardware
platform whose functionality is determined on a variable basis
depending on the particular software module downloaded to the
hand-held distance unit 18 at the time of activation of the unit.
The hand-held distance units 18 may serve as measuring devices for
individual golfers when operating in the golfer mode 60 and as
points-of-interest defining and locating devices when operating in
the surveyor mode 64. The surveyor mode 64 is most commonly used
when a new golf course is being configured and the database 82 of
the base station computer 50 are being configured. The test mode 66
is used for analyzing the GPS and RF coverage of the golf course,
again particularly useful in the initial configuration process of a
golf course.
[0063] The various software modules for providing the functionality
of different modes of operations for the hand-held distance unit
are downloaded through the activation interface 1102. The
activation interface 1102 couples to the activation socket 56 (FIG.
2) of the point of sale terminal 54 to receive the software
modules. When the hand-held distance unit 18 is activated, the
appropriate modules are downloaded through the activation interface
1102 to the memory 1106 of the hand-held distance unit 18. The
downloaded mode module 1108 and the points-of-interest data 1110
and personality parameters 1112 are stored in the memory 1106. The
activation interface 1102 also includes connection points for a
battery charger to allow the battery of the hand-held distance unit
to be charged without removing it from the enclosure. Charging can
be accomplished using a charging cradle provided in the golf cart
or at the clubhouse.
[0064] As discussed above, the position of the hand-held distance
unit 18 is determined by interpreting GPS satellite signals
received via the GPS antenna 26. The position signals received are
processed by a GPS low noise amplifier 1165. The low noise
amplifier 1165 provides sufficient gain to the signals so that the
GPS receiver 1160 can properly detect and process the GPS signals
received. Differential position error signals are received via the
RF antenna 38 and inputted to the GPS receiver 1160. The GPS
receiver 1160 processes and outputs its position estimates to the
hand-held distance unit processor 1120. The processor 1120 uses the
position of the hand-held distance unit 18 to determine the
distances to the various points-of-interest stored in memory 1106.
The processor 1120 also performs other routines such as determining
what display screen to display and monitors the input device to
determine the next the function to be performed and what
information is displayed. The processor 1120 also determines the
mode of duty cycling to be used. The radio transceiver 1150 and the
hand-held unit radio antenna 38 enable two-way communications
between the hand-held unit 18 and the auxiliary unit 92 of the base
station 14.
[0065] The hand-held distance units 18 also receive messages from
the base station 14 and these messages are decoded and responded to
by the hand-held distance unit 18 as required. The information
received at the radio transceiver 1150 is communicated to the
processor 1120 for processing. The processor 1120 sends the message
response back to the auxiliary unit 92 of the base station 14
through the radio transceiver 1150. The hand-held distance unit 18
processor 1120 decodes the messages and monitors the hand-held
units four-button keypad, i.e. input device 1130, for input and
transmits the appropriate display text or graphics to the display
screen 96.
[0066] Referring to FIG. 12, a diagram of the base station
auxiliary unit 92 is illustrated. The base station auxiliary unit
92 works in conjunction with the base station processor to receive
and transmit data within the communication system 10. GPS signals
are continuously received via the GPS antenna 22 of the auxiliary
unit 92. The auxiliary unit 92 transmits signals to the hand-held
distance units 18 and receives signals from the hand-held units 18
via the radio antenna 36. The auxiliary unit 92 includes a GPS
receiver 1212, a GPS low-noise amplifier 1214, an auxiliary control
processor 1220, a radio transceiver 1222, a data transceiver 1226,
and a display device 1230. The GPS low-noise amplifier 1214
amplifies the GPS signals received for processing by the GPS
receiver 1212. When the GPS receiver 1212 receives a position
signal from the GPS satellites 16A-16D, the processor 1220 in
auxiliary unit 92 calculates the difference between the known
surveyed location of the GPS antenna 22 and the measured GPS
position value. The differential correction signal is transmitted
to all the hand-held distance units 18 via radio transceiver 1222
and the radio antenna 36. To maintain a high degree of accuracy,
differential correction signals should be transmitted every 20
seconds. The differential correction transmission rate is once per
second; however, the rate may be programmed as desired. The data
transceiver 1226 receives information from the databases 82 of the
base station computer 50 and transmits the data to the auxiliary
control processor 1220 for transmission via the radio transceiver
1222 and radio antenna 36. Additionally, the data transceiver 1226
receives data transmitted from the hand-held units 18 that are
processed by the auxiliary control processor 1220 for communication
to the base station central processing unit 88. Operational data
for the system 10, similar to that shown in the test mode, is
presented on the display 1230.
[0067] Referring to FIG. 13, the processes performed during the
activation process of the hand-held distance unit 18 are described.
At step 1302, the activation screen of the point of sale terminal
54 is initiated when the hand-held distance unit ("HHU") 18 is
plugged into the activation socket 56. At step 1304 a power on self
test (POST) is performed to determine that the HHU and its
components are functioning within normal operating parameters. If
at step 1306, the POST is successful, the process proceeds to step
1308. If the at step 1306 the POST fails, the process proceeds to
step 1307 where the operator is informed by a display to obtain a
new HHU. At step 1308, the point of sale terminal 54 receives an
authorization code of a user and/or proper payment. For example,
golf course personnel may have a special code to avoid the payment
of a fee to activate a unit. On the other hand, golfers or non-golf
course personnel may be required to pay a certain amount of money
prior to authorization, such as by sliding a credit card through a
credit card reading device at the point of sale terminal 54. The
activation process is interrupted, at step 1310, if the hand-held
unit 18 does not have enough battery power to last through a
complete golf round which takes about 5 hours and the operator is
requested to obtain a new HHU 18. The point of sale terminal 54
reads, at step 1312, the unique ID of the hand-held distance unit
18 to use for paging and other communication and tracking purposes.
The process proceeds to step 1314 where the point of sale terminal
54 requests that the user select the golfer, greenskeeper,
surveyor, test or asset tracking mode of operation.
[0068] To ensure that only appropriate users access certain modes
of operations, various levels of authorization may optionally be
used in the system. For example, a non-golf course personnel may
not have access to the greenskeeper or surveyor modes. However,
golf course personnel may have access to all modes. Therefore, at
optional step 1316 (shown in dashed line), user authorization is
checked. If the user has not given the proper authorization, at
optional step 1318 (shown in dashed line) the operator is informed
and the selected module is not downloaded. If the user has
authorization for the mode or module selected, at step 1324 the
appropriate module is downloaded. If the authorization option is
not used, the process proceeds from step 1314 to step 1324. If the
golfer mode 60 was selected, the process proceeds to step 1330a
where the software golfer mode module 78A or 78B and the
points-of-interest ("POI") locations 82 stored for the holes and
pins are downloaded to the hand-held distance unit 18 from the base
station 14. If the user selected the greenskeeper mode 62, the
greenskeeper mode module 84 is downloaded at step 1330b along with
the latitude, longitude and altitude positions of the greens and
personality parameters of the golf course. If the user selected the
surveyor mode 64, the surveyor mode module 86 is downloaded at step
1330c along with a list of the available points-of-interest types
stored in the system. The various points-of-interest types may
include sand bunkers, trees, creeks, greens, lakes, etc.
Additionally, any points-of-interest location which have been
previously identified in the system are also downloaded along with
the other data. If the user selected the test mode 66, the test
mode module 87 is downloaded at step 1330d. If the user selected
the asset tracking mode 68, the asset tracking mode module 85 is
downloaded at step 1330e. After the appropriate module has been
downloaded, the hand-held distance unit 18 is now ready for the
functionality provided by the downloaded module.
[0069] The personality parameters include items such as the
golfer's handicap, driving distance as well as operational
parameters such as the operational cycle of the GPS receiver 1160,
the radio transceiver 1150, low noise amplifier 1165, the display
screen 96 and the operational cycle and appearance of any
informational or error messages. Error messages can be programmed
to flash and remain on the display for a predetermined period of
time. Also, because the hand-held unit 18 is continually aware of
its position on the golf course, the operational cycle of the GPS
receiver 1160 and low noise amplifier 1165 can advantageously be
programmed such that the GPS receiver 1160 and low noise amplifier
1165 are automatically placed in a sleep (low energy use) mode when
the hand-held distance unit 18 is within a predetermined distance
of the green, such as 25 yards. The sleep mode can be programmed to
last for a predetermined period of time, such as 3 minutes, or
until the user presses any key or combination of keys.
[0070] Referring to FIG. 14a, the processes of the golfer mode 60
are illustrated. At step 1402, a golfer selects the hole number
that the golfer is playing by using the previous hole button 110 or
the next hole button 112. After selecting the hole number, at step
1406 the golfer positions the hand-held distance unit 18 over the
golf ball. The golfer then presses the yardage key 114 of the
hand-held distance unit 18 to indicate that the golfer desires
yardage measurements for his current position. At step 1408, the
hand-held distance unit 18 receives a signal from the golfer to
provide the yardage measurement to the pin position and
points-of-interest. At step 1410, the hand-held distance unit
determines the distance to the pin and determines the distance to
golfer relevant points-of-interest. The distances are determined by
identifying the current position of the hand-held distance unit 18
using the GPS signals 28 received and calculating the distances to
the points-of-interest as stored in the database 1110 of the
hand-held unit 18. At step 1416, the hand-held distance units 18
display the distances to the pin, golfer relevant
points-of-interest, and displays an option for a pro tip (see FIG.
5). After the distances are displayed to the various
points-of-interests, the golfer has the option to select a pro tip
by pushing the SEL key 116 of the hand-held distance unit 18. If a
pro tip is not selected, the hand-held distance unit 18 continues
to display the point-of-interest data for the last position
selected by the golfer. If, however, at step 1420, the golfer
selects the pro tip option, the process proceeds to step 1422 where
a pro tip screen (see FIG. 6) is displayed on the hand-held
distance unit 18 and the pro tip applicable for the current
situation or golfer's skill is displayed.
[0071] Referring to FIG. 14b, the process is discussed for
determining the distance to the pin and the distances to
golfer-relevant points-of-interest in the golfer mode 60. At step
1424, the hand-held distance unit 18 processes GPS signals 28 to
determine the hand-held distance unit's location. The location of
the hand-held distance unit 18 is determined as discussed below in
connection with FIG. 14c. At step 1430, the process determines
whether the latitude, longitude and altitude for the determined
location of the hand-held distance units 18 is within a specified
range of the known latitude, longitude and altitude for the hole
indicated. If the golfer initiated measurement for the hole is not
within the identified range for the hole selected by the user on
the display screen 96, the process proceeds to step 1431 where the
hand-held distance unit 18 indicates to the user that the hole
selected is incorrect and requests the user to enter a new hole.
The process proceeds to step 1434 where the hand-held distance unit
18 waits for another request from the user for yardage information.
The process then proceeds to step 1424 as discussed above. If,
however, at step 1430, the latitude, longitude and altitude
determined in response to the user's request for a yardage
measurement is within a predetermined range of the known latitude,
longitude and altitude of the indicated hole, the process proceeds
to step 1432.
[0072] At step 1432, the hand-held distance unit 18 calculates the
distances to the points-of-interest in the database 1110 for the
specified hole. The process proceeds to step 1436 where the golfer
module further determines whether the points-of-interest are behind
the golfer or within a maximum and minimum range values specified
or relevant for golfer's specific parameters. For example, as
discussed in connection with FIG. 3, a golfer may indicate the
maximum distance that the golfer can hit a golf ball and distances
beyond that maximum value except for the pin position are not
displayed for points-of-interest beyond that distance.
Additionally, a golfer may indicate during initial set-up a minimal
distance value for which points-of-interest inside of that minimum
distance value are not displayed to the golfer. The process then
proceeds to step 1438 where the points-of-interest behind the
golfer or outside of the golfer specific parameters or range are
eliminated from display.
[0073] Referring to FIG. 14c, the process for determining the
hand-held distance unit 18 location is illustrated. When an
indication is given to read a GPS signal 28, the system of the
present invention preferably does not assume that the reading is an
accurate reading because the reading may be an anomaly caused by
the entry or exit of a satellite vehicle from the transmission path
of an antenna. To help account for these anomalies and readings,
the present invention, at step 1450 calculates a sample GPS reading
from the signals received. This sample reading is compared to the
average of the past five (5) GPS readings made by the hand-held
distance unit 18 at step 1452. At step 1460, the process determines
whether the sample reading was within a certain specified range of
the average. This range may vary as known to those skilled in the
art. If the sample was within the range of the average of the past
five (5) readings, the average of the past five (5) readings plus
the new sample is used as the current position of the hand-held
unit. If, however, at Step 1460, the sample was not within the
specified range of the average, eight (8) new position measurements
are taken at Step 1466. At Step 1468, the eight (8) new position
measurements are averaged as the location of the hand-held distance
unit 18. By using the process described in FIG. 14c, accurate GPS
position measurements can be assured. The number of positions used
in averaging may be varied.
[0074] Referring to FIG. 15, the process for updating pin positions
in the greenskeeper mode 62 is illustrated. At step 1502, the
greenskeeper selects the hole for which the updated pin position is
to be determined. The greenskeeper positions the hand-held distance
unit 18 over the hole at step 1504 in preparation for requesting a
new pin location. At step 1508, when the greenskeeper presses the
yardage button 116, the hand-held distance unit 18 receives the
indication that the location of the new hole position is to be
determined. At step 1510, the GPS signals 28 are processed to
determine the location of the hand-held distance unit 18. The
location of the hand-held distance unit 18 can be determined as
discussed in connection with FIG. 14c. At step 1512, the hand-held
distance unit 18 determines whether the measured latitude,
longitude and altitude are within a specified range of the known
hole location selected by the user. If the latitude, longitude and
altitude are not within a specified range of the known location,
the process proceeds to step 1514 where an indication is provided
to the user that the hole selected is incorrect and the user is
requested to enter a new hole number. The process is then directed
back to step 1508 and then to step 1510. If at step 1512, the
currently measured latitude, longitude and altitude are within a
specified range of the hole, the process proceeds to step 1518. At
step 1518 the hand-held distance unit 18 wirelessly transmits the
updated pin position, unit ID, and other distance calculation
parameters, such as the latitude, longitude and altitude
measurements, the satellites from which GPS signals 28 are received
and the number of satellites from which the GPS signals 28 are
received, to the base station 14. At step 1522, the base station 14
stores the updated pin positions in database 82 and wirelessly
broadcasts at step 1524, the updated pin position from the base
station 14 to all hand-held distance units 18 which are operating
in golfer mode 60. By wirelessly transmitting the new updated pin
positions from the hand-held unit 18 operating in the greenskeeper
mode 62 to the base station 14 and by broadcasting the new updated
pin positions to all hand-held distance units 18 operating in
golfer mode 60, golfers are ensured to have the most recent pin
position updates which is valuable information to a golfer.
[0075] Referring to FIG. 16, the processes implemented for the
surveyor mode 64 are illustrated. At step 1602, a user selects the
hole number for which the user desires to define
points-of-interest. At step 1604, the hand-held distance unit 18
displays a list of points-of-interest (POIs) types available for
the specific golf course. A points-of-interest types may include
creeks, trees, hazards, sand bunkers, greens, lakes, cart paths
etc. From this list, the user may select the appropriate
point-of-interest being defined. At step 1608, the hand-held
distance unit 18 determines which point-of-interest type was
selected by a user. At step 1610 the user then positions the
hand-held distance unit 18 over the point-of-interest selected by
the user, such as a sand bunker. At step 1614 the surveyor presses
the yardage button 114 to indicate to the hand-held distance unit
18 that a position measurement is desired. At step 1620, the
process determines the location of the hand-held distance unit 18.
The location is determined as discussed in connection with FIG.
14c. The process proceeds to step 1622 where the hand-held distance
unit 18 wirelessly transmits the selected points-of-interest type
and the determined location to the base station 14 for storage as
indicated as step 1624.
[0076] The descriptions given herein are provided as examples and
are not intended to limit the principles or scope of the present
invention. Those skilled in the art would readily appreciate from a
review of the descriptions herein that many modifications, changes
or extensions may be made from the specific embodiment described
herein without departing from the scope of the invention defined by
the following claims. For example, because each hand-held distance
unit has a unique identification, it is possible to use the system
of the present invention to locate missing or lost units. Further,
areas of the golf course can be demarcated to be off limits or no
go zones, such as a parking lot or maintenance area. When the hand
held unit is taken into such areas, the golfer can be alerted that
use of the hand-held unit in such areas is not permitted and an
alert can be displayed at the base station informing the golf
course staff that a unit has been taken off premises or into a
prohibited areas.
* * * * *