 |
Description  |
|
|
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A number of activities involve maintaining a record of personal scores
which are subsequently significant. For example, several recent scores
turned in by a golfer are processed to provide his current handicap. In
that regard, common practice involves rather elaborate systems for
computing and preserving records for individual players at their
associated golf clubs. Traditionally, after each round of golf, each
player's score is supposed to be accurately recorded for entry into the
records and computation of his handicap. Periodically, a number of such
scores are used to compute each player's handicap, the figures usually
being posted.
Pursuing the above example, it is noteworthy that player handicaps are
quite significant in golf not only in arranging play but additionally in
determining the outcome of such play. In view of the importance of a
player's individual handicap, economic or egotistical reasons may well
tempt a player to engage in practices that will modify his true handicap.
Such practices might be selective failures to turn in scores or the
reporting of modified scores. Also, among certain players, a jesting
attitude often prevails in many games, providing an incentive for players
to modify the score records or handicaps of a fellow player. In view of
these considerations, a need exists for an effective, economical, and
convenient system for reliably providing fresh score or handicap
information.
As suggested, situations similar to that described above also exist in
other sports, as for example in bowling. The volume and complexity of
calculations involved in these sports often result in the use of a
computing service to develop the desired data. It is to be appreciated
that normally, the practice involves some inconvenience, expense and
delay. As a consequence, a need exists for an expeditious and economical
system for maintaining player scoring data, as handicaps, that are
current, accurate, and readily available.
In general, the present invention may be embodied for use with devices in
the form of plastic identification cards, for example, bearing a recording
medium as in the form of a magnetic stripe. The magnetic stripe may be of
high energy material with the consequence that the record is durable and
reliable. In the use of the system hereof in a golfing application, for
example, the stripe records a player's handicap which is maintained
current in accordance with his games of play. Additionally, the system
incorporates secure facilities for improving the reliability of his
indicated handicap.
Structurally, the system of the present invention incorporates apparatus
for processing the record device or identification card bearing a
recording medium, e.g. magnetic stripe. Specifically, information
indicating score data, identification data, and reliability data is sensed
from the card to accommodate any of a variety of operations. For example,
in a golf application, the system may simply manifest the current handicap
of the cardholder. Alternatively, the system may receive the score
resulting from recent play, then process such score along with other data
from the card to provide a fresh handicap. Embodiments of the system may
also reveal a history of several recent scores. In the disclosed
embodiment of the present invention, the system incorporates further
structure for imprinting scorecards with current handicaps and further
incorporates security structure for minimizing efforts to tamper with
handicap data.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings, which constitute a part of this specification, an
exemplary embodiment demonstrating various objectives and features hereof
is set forth as follows:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system constructed in accordance with the
present invention;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an identification card for use in association
with the system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of one portion of the system of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of another portion of the system of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT
As indicated above, a detailed illustrative embodiment of the invention is
disclosed herein. However, embodiments may be constructed in accordance
with various forms, some of which may be rather different from the
disclosed illustrative embodiment. Consequently, the specific structural
and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative, yet in
that regard they are deemed to provide the best embodiment for purposes of
disclosure and to provide a basis for the claims herein which define the
scope of the present invention.
Referring initially to FIG. 1, the system of the present invention is
illustrated to be embodied at two separate locations. Specifically, a
player unit P is used by individual players while an office unit O is
accessible only to authorized office personnel. Of course, a variety of
techniques and structures may be employed utilizing the present invention;
and in that regard, it is noteworthy that a single unit may be employed or
alternatively several units might be used as in the form of a single
office unit operating in cooperation with more than one player unit.
Pursuing the illustrative example herein, the functions of the system are
divided with certain operations being performed at the player unit P while
other operations are performed at the office unit O. Specifically, while
both units may be operated to display a player's handicap, the player unit
P is otherwise employed to issue scorecards. Exclusive functions of the
office unit O include: displaying a record of prior games, verifying a
card and recording a fresh score.
Prior to considering the structure of FIG. 1 in greater detail, reference
will first be made to FIG. 2, illustrating an exemplary form of card for
use with the structure of FIG. 1. The card C may take a form which is
currently in widespread use, e.g. a sheet of plastic bearing various
indicia as well as a magnetic stripe S. The indicia on the card C may or
may not be embossed and may, of course, vary with specific applications.
The illustrative card C carries the name 12 of the holder and the name 14
of the issuing organization.
As with regard to the structures of the card, the magnetic stripe may vary
widely. However, the recording format for the stripe S is indicated in
FIG. 2. Actually, assuming the stripe S is magnetic medium, the record
thereon will be invisible. However, the representative data recordings are
indicated in FIG. 2, in a perceivable form. Specifically, an upper track
16 (left to right) records a series of score data words 18 for the
cardholder, each of which are designated by the letters SC and comprise
six binary bits. The second track 20 carries a series of dates, indicated
by the letters DAT, and which are individually associated to identify each
of the scores 16, designated SC. The date words or data DAT each comprise
nine binary bits.
Following the scores SC on the track 16, are a series of special data
cells. Specifically, the word data bit UNA is a single bit and if false
indicates an attempted unauthorized or improper use of the card.
The data USE is another single binary bit and when false indicates that the
identification card has been used to obtain a scorecard with the
consequence that it may not be used to obtain another until a score is
reported. The nature and operation of the system with regard to these data
bits is considered in greater detail below.
The data word HC carries the player's current handicap and comprises five
bits. Following that data, the data word INI reveals the cardholder's
initials and takes the form of a thirty-six bit word. Finally, the data
word IDN indicates an assigned identification number of the cardholder of
four bits. The arbitrarily assigned identification numbers may be
equivalent to values from zero to seven.
It may now be seen that the magnetic stripe S records the recent scores of
a player or cardholder, from which his handicap is computed. The handicap
is also recorded along with certain security data. In addition to carrying
the individual scores, the card also records the dates when such scores
were recorded. For convenience, the data is indicated in designated
signals as indicated above and as set forth below in chart form. The
signal designations used herein appear in the following chart to afford a
convenient reference.
______________________________________
SIGNALS OR DATA
Designation Name Bits
______________________________________
IDN Identification number
3
INI Initials 36
HC Handicap 5
DAT Date 9
SC Scores 6
USE Use of issued scorecard
1
UNA Unauthorized use of ID card
1
O Check at office (command)
1
RHC Read handicap (command)
1
ISC Issue scorecard (command)
1
DIS Display games (command)
1
RCS Receive score (command)
1
CSC Clear scorecard (command)
1
VC Verify card (command)
1
RSC Read scores (command)
1
CLU Clear improper use (command)
1
RIC Record identification card
(command) 1
______________________________________
Returning now to further consideration of FIG. 1, the office unit O
comprises a housing 22 containing operating structure and supporting an
operating panel 24. At opposed sides of the housing 22, card entry and
exit ports are defined for identification cards. Specifically, an entry
slot 26 is located at the left side of the housing 22 while an exit slot
28 is located on the opposed right side of the housing 22. To process a
card, commands are given on the panel 24. Accordingly, the desired
operations are performed.
Consideration will now be directed to the various operations of the systems
with regard to the identification card C as depicted in FIG. 2. As
indicated above, a variety of operations may be performed using the card
C; however, it may facilitate an understanding of the system to pursue the
various functional operations somewhat chronologically in the likely
sequence of their occurrence. Therefore, assume initially that a fresh
identification card C is to be recorded for a new member of the club or
other facility. That is, a card C as illustrated in FIG. 2 has been
designated for the holder or member and will now be recorded for his use.
For such a person, individual scores are not available and consequently
are not recorded. In essence, on the basis of some authority, the new
cardholder has been assigned a specific handicap HC. The cardholder also
has identification in the form of his personal monogram or initials for
deriving the signals INI. Also, he selects or is assigned a number (any
number from 0 to 7) somewhat as his confidential personal identification.
Of couse, various forms of personal identification structures are well
known and might be incorporated herein.
The card C for the holder is entered at the entry slot 26 and a "record
card" button 30 is depressed to activate a keyboard 32 which is then used
for forming signals representative of the data: HC, INI, and IDN. In
accordance with a standard format, the data signals are formed by the
keyboard 32 and recorded in the locations indicated on the card C (FIG.
2).
After the card is recorded, it is moved from the housing 22 through the
delivery slot 28 (FIG. 1). The card is now ready for use in association
with the system to provide the current handicap of the player, regulate
its own use, obtain scorecards properly, and afford security against
mis-use.
Continuing with the description of functions, assume next that the holder
of the exemplary card C is ready to play a round of golf. Preliminarily,
he uses the card at the player unit P to either verify his handicap or to
obtain a scorecard.
The player unit P is located for convenient access by starting players and
includes a housing 34 with an entry slot 36 for the identification card C
(FIG. 2) on one side and two opposed deliver slots. First, a slot 38
returns the identification card C while a slot 40 supplies imprinted
scorecards N. The slots 36, 38, and 40 are at the sides of the housing 34,
while the top of the housing comprises a control panel 42 which is
actuated by the player or cardholder. It is noteworthy that the player
unit P is connected to the remote office unit O through a cable 44.
With the insertion of an identification card through the entry slot 36, the
cardholder may depress a "read handicap" button 46 along with the
particular key or button for his number in set 48. For example, if the
cardholder's number is "six", he simply depresses the "read handicap"
button 46 and the button designated by the numeral "six" in the set 48. As
a consequence, his handicap and initials are sensed from his card and
displayed along with the date on a light panel 50. Specifically, the date
is displayed in a section 52, his handicap appears in a section 54, and
his initials appear in a section 56.
The display for the player endures for several seconds during which his
fellow players may observe his handicap as well as confirming his initials
and the propriety of the display by the indication of the present date.
Momentarily, the display ceases and the identification card C is returned
to the player through the delivery slot 38.
The "read handicap" operation may or may not be performed, depending upon
whether or not the player wishes to confirm the record of his card. After
that operation, or alternatively to such an operation, the cardholder may
actuate the player unit P to issue his scorecard N. Specifically, to
obtain the scorecard N, the player inserts his identification card C as
explained above and in this instance depresses a button 58 along with his
identification number key in the set 48. In this instance, if the
cardholder's identification card C is in order, a scorecard N is delivered
from the delivery slot 40 imprinted with the player's initials and
handicap. Thus, a hard copy record indicates his handicap for convenient
verification. Of course, in some instances it may be desired to assign
alternative or supplementary identification beyond personal initials;
however, in one instance, such identification was found to be quite
satisfactory.
Under certain circumstances as described in detail below, the
identification card may not be in proper order. Disorder can be as a
result of: failure to report a score, mis-use, or attempted fraudulent use
of the identification card. In such an event, a lamp 60 on the panel 42 is
illuminated instructing the cardholder to present his card for
verification at the office unit O. The details of that operation will be
considered below.
To pursue the exemplary sequence of operations, assume that the player
obtains a scorecard N along with his returned identification card C and
proceeds to play a round of golf. Thereafter, his scorecard N and
identification card C are to be presented at the office unit O so that his
score can be recorded on the identification card C and reflected in his
handicap. That operation will now be explained.
The operator of the office unit O inserts the player's identification card
in the office unit O through the slot 26, somewhat concurrently depressing
a button 62 adjacent the legend "receive score". As a consequence, the
keyboard 32 is energized to accept the score which will be keyed into the
office unit O in a pre-established format. Following such activity, the
score is recorded on the card, the player's handicap is freshly computed
and also recorded on the identification card. The identification card is
subsequently delivered from the slot 28.
In certain instances, depending upon the responsibility and authority of
persons operating the office unit O, it may be desirable to require
approval by the cardholder to modify his card. To accommodate such
control, an eight-number key panel 74 is provided for convenient access to
the player. Essentially, the panel 74 provides a set of eight keys 76 the
proper one of which must be depressed by the card holder before the
operator of the office unit can actuate the keyboard 32.
After a score is received and the related functions performed by the office
unit O, the player's identification card is returned to him carrying his
current handicap along with his recent scores. In the case of a newly
issued card, some time will be required to accumulate sufficient scores to
compute the handicap; however, after such scores are available, the
handicap is freshly computed after each game and recorded on the card so
that there is essentially no delay between the time when scoring
information is available and it is reflected in the player's handicap.
It is to be noted that the office unit 24 includes a pair of date wheels 78
and 80 (lower right) for establishing the current "month" and "day". These
wheels are associated with printwheels and rotary signal generators to
provide signals indicative of the date, i.e. signals DAT. A Julian format
may be used and decoded to control the date displays in either the section
66 of the office unit O or section 52 of the player unit P. Also, the date
signals DAT are recorded along with each entered score as described below
with respect to the record format (FIG. 2). Consequently, a record is
preserved not only of the pertinent recent scores but also of the dates on
which such scores were made.
To verify the record, an identification card C may be processed by the
office unit O to provide a sequential readout of each of the recorded
scores. With an identification card in the unit O, the operation is
initiated by actuating a button 82 adjacent to a legend "display games".
Upon such actuation, each of the scores recorded on the stripe S (FIG. 2)
is sensed and exhibited in the section 68 of the display panel 64
concurrently with a date in section 66. The display may be provided for
varying intervals of time; however, as an exemplary display, each score
and the accompanying date is for a duration of seven seconds. At the
conclusion of the displays, the office unit O returns to its quiescent
state and the identification card C is returned through the slot 28.
It is to be noted that in addition to a comprehensive display reviewing the
record as explained above, the office unit O may also simply read a
player's handicap as explained previously with reference to the player
unit P. That operation is performed by the office unit upon a command
initiated by depressing a button 84 adjacent a legend "read handicap".
To assure that scores are reported, the player unit P is inhibited from
issuing a scorecard N until the score from a previous scorecard has been
reported. This operation will be explained with reference to the
identification card C of FIG. 2. When the player unit P issues a
scorecard, the recorded binary bit USE is altered from a "true" to a
"false" state. When the USE bit is "false", the player unit is inhibited
from issuing another scorecard N until that bit is reset or cleared to a
"true" state. Such a clearance occurs when the identification card C is
entered in the office unit O to receive a score from the last scorecard.
That is, in the course of recording a fresh score, the office unit O
resets the USE bit "true" preparatory to the issuance of another scorecard
N by the player unit P.
The identification card C also carries a data bit UNA which is false in the
event of an unauthorized use of the card. For example, an identification
card C may for a time come into the possession of someone other than the
holder, who might try to alter the holder's handicap. Such an occurrence
is detected when the fraudulent user of the card depresses the wrong
numerical-identification key on either the panel 50 (player unit, FIG. 1)
or the panel 74 (office unit, FIG. 1). Upon such an occurrence, the card
receives a false bit indicating it is temporarily invalid as a result of
mis-use.
If an identification card is used out of sequence or becomes temporarily
invalid, with attempted further use the lamp 60 (FIG. 1, player unit P) is
illuminated instructing the player to "check at office". Under such
circumstances, the player is expected to present his card at the office
unit O with the request for a verification which is performed by inserting
the card and depressing a button 86 adjacent a legend "card verify".
Thereupon, the system senses the bit UNA (unauthorize use) and/or the bit
USE (scorecard issued) and indicates the difficulty by illuminating one of
a pair of buttons 88 or 90.
The button 88 is designated "unauthorized use" (associated with UNA) while
the button 90 is designated "no score filed" (USE). Normally, either
indication will prompt the operator of the office unit to pursue some
questions with the objective of clarifying the situation and learning what
has happened. Of course, various external actions may be taken, depending
on the circumstances. As a further part of the procedure, the illuminated
button 88 or 90 will normally be depressed to clear the recorded false bit
(indicating difficulty) from the identification card C.
To complete an understanding of the structure of the system reference will
now be made to FIGS. 3 and 4, respectively illustrating the apparatus
within the player unit P and the office unit O. Initially, consider the
structure of the player unit P as represented in FIG. 3. The unit P is
capable of performing either of the operations "read handicap" (command
signal RHC) or "issue scorecard" (command signal ISC).
The player unit P as depicted in FIG. 3 incorporates card handling
structure specifically in the form of an identification card reader 92 and
an identification card recorder 94. Various forms of such devices are well
known and in widespread commercial use. In accordance with somewhat
conventional operation, the card reader 92 senses the leading edge of an
inserted card C, and is accordingly actuated to move the card while
concurrently providing a pulse through a conductor 96 to initiate a cycle
of operation by a timing system 98 (FIG. 3, lower left). Essentially, the
timing system provides a series of sequencing signals T1, T2, T3, T4, and
T5. These are two-state or binary signals and each commands certain
operations during the interval when it is in a high state.
The player unit P functions solely in cooperation with the upper track 16
on the card C and only uses a portion of that tract. Specifically, the
portion of the tract 16 which records the history of prior scores is
passed over by the card reader 92. Only the data relating to use of the
card, the handicap, and the identification of the assigned holder is
sensed to provide electrical signals which set the information into a
register 100. Specifically, signals representative of the data: UNA, USE,
HC, INI, and IDN are set in the register 100 (FIG. 3, upper central).
Recapitulating, the data indicates:
UNA: binary bit for indicating unauthorized use of ID card
USE: binary bit for indicating use of ID card to obtain scorecard
HC: data word indicating cardholder's handicap
INI: data word indicating cardholder's initials
IDN: data word indicating cardholder's confidential identification number
From the register 100, the data signals control various manipulations,
depending upon the command function, and thereby accomplish the desired
operation. Again recapitulating, the player unit selectively performs two
functions, either exhibiting the handicap of the identification card or
issuing a scorecard imprinted with the initials and handicap of the
assigned identification cardholder.
The detailed structure of the player unit P may now be best explained by
pursuing exemplary operations and introducing components concurrently with
the explanation. Accordingly, assume that an identification card is placed
in the card reader 92 with the result that the register 100 is loaded as
explained above and as illustrated in FIG. 3. Further assume that the
assigned cardholder depresses the button 46 (FIG. 1) to command the
exhibition of his handicap as it is recorded on the identification card.
As a consequence, the binary signal RHC will be set high for a
predetermined interval. Further assume that the use and history of the
card is such that both the signals UNA and USE are clear or true with the
consequence that neither will inhibit use of the card.
After the card is accepted, the player unit P awaits further action by the
operator to depress the proper numerical key of the set 48 (FIG. 1). That
is, the system awaits the depression of one of the numerical keys in the
set 48 to confirm that the operator is in fact the assigned holder of the
identification card. The depression of a numerical key in the set 48
results in the production of a three-bit word (IDN) by a digital coding
unit or IDN input device 102 (FIG. 3, upper right). The input signal IDN
is supplied through a cable from the input 102 to a comparator 104 which
also receives signals IDN from the register 100 as they were recorded on
the card C.
The comparator operates during an interval T2 to compare the two data
signals IDN, and as a consequence provides an output that is either true
or false. In the event that the comparison is not proper, the comparator
provides a false signal through a conductor 106 to set the signal UNA in
the register 100 false thereby indicating that a fraudulent or improper
effort has been made to use the identification card C. The false state of
the UNA bit will be subsequently recorded on the identification card to
inhibit use of the card until the bit is cleared.
The false signal in the line 106 is also supplied through a connection gate
108 to a reject device signal 110 (FIG. 3, lower left). As a consequence,
the lamp 60 (FIG. 1) is illuminated instructing the operator to check at
the office. Concurrently, a binary signal is supplied from the device 110
through a conductor 112 to the timing system 98 advancing the signal
sequence directly to provide the sequence of timing signal T4. As a
consequence, the signal T4 at the input 114 to the register 100 clears the
contents of the register 100 into the recorder 94, prompting the
termination of the signal T4 and the origination of the signal T5 with the
result that the data from the register 100 is recorded at the appropriate
location of track 1 on the identification card C.
It may thus be seen that an improper or fraudulent use of the
identification card not only aborts the specific operation involved but
also sets the data bit UNA false to inhibit subsequent use of the card.
Specifically in that regard, subsequent use of the card C prior to
clearing the data bit UNA results in a high signal from the false side of
the UNA-bit binary that is applied through a connection gate 108, again to
actuate the reject signal device 110. Consequently, erroneous or
fraudulent use of an identification card or subsequent use after such an
event (prior to clearing) produces an abortive operation with an
indicating signal.
Most usually, the card C is not likely to be misused and as a consequence,
the comparator 104 (right central) will indicate a true comparison by
providing a high signal in a conductor 118. That signal is applied to a
gate system 120 which receives signals representative of the data HC
(handicap) and the holder's initials (INI) from the register 100 through
cables 122 and 124.
With the occurrence of the high signal in the conductor 118, along with a
high level of the timing signal T3, and a high level for the command
signal RHC, the gate system 120 passes the applied data signals HC and
INI. Specifically, the gate system supplies the handicap signal data HC,
the initial data signals INI, along with date data signals DAT (from the
office unit O) to a display unit 126 which embodies the illuminated panel
50 (FIG. 1). Accordingly, during the interval of T4 (being in its high
state) the display unit 126 drives the illuminated panel to provide a
visual display of the handicap, the initials, and the date for the
predetermined interval. During the same time, the contents of the register
100 is returned to the recorder 94 preliminary to recording during the
interval T5. Thereafter, the card C is returned and the timing system 98
goes into a quiescent state, providing none of the timing signals T1-T5
high and simply awaiting the occurrence of another command signal in the
conductor 96.
Pursuing a consideration of the various operations, assume next that with
the insertion of his card, the assigned cardholder depresses the button 58
(player unit P, FIG. 1) to command the issuance of a scorecard. Also
assume that he strikes the proper numerical key for his identification in
the set 48. Consequently, the binary signal ISC will be high and the
comparator 104 (FIG. 3, middle right) will indicate a true comparison
providing a high binary signal in the conductor 118. Further assume that
the card involved has not been misused with the consequence that both the
binary bits representing the data UNA and USE are in a true state. As a
consequence, during the period of the timing signal T3, a gate system 130
(FIG. 3, lower central) is fully qualified and passes signals
representative of the data words HC, INI, and DAT through a cable 132 to a
scorecard printer and dispenser 134.
Recapitulating, on command, the player unit P delivers data signals from
the identification card C for a player to the scorecard printer and
dispenser 134 which signals represent the player's handicap (HC), the
player's initials (INI), and the current date (DAT). Such signals control
the printer and dispenser 134 to imprint a scorecard with the handicap,
the initials, and the present date, after which the scorecard is
dispensed. In general, a wide variety of well known and widely used
printing devices may be employed; however, in one form, the printer and
dispenser 134 may simply include a number of printwheels which are rotated
to reflect the received data signals by setting the type for the desired
print in printing position. The wheels are then actuated in a single
stroke to imprint the scorecard. That operation occurs during the interval
of the timing signal T4. However, at a time prior thereto, the gate system
130 provides a signal through a conductor 136 to set the USE bit of the
register 100 in a false state. Specifically, the USE bit is set false,
thereby indicating that a scorecard has been issued.
It is to be recalled that when recorded on the identification card C, a
false value for the USE bit will inhibit the operation of the player unit
P from issuing another scorecard. That is, as the USE bit is false, the
true signal from the USE bit register is low and the gate 130 is
inhibited. Accordingly, a control is provided to discourage the practice
of players selectively turning in scores or scorecards. As explained
above, and as treated in detail below, when the identification card is
used at the office unit O to report a score, the USE bit will be reset
true so that another scorecard can be obtained.
During the interval of the timing signal T4, not only is the scorecard
dispensed by the printer and dispenser 134 but additionally the contents
of the register 100 is returned to the recorder 94 to be recorded on the
identification card during the interval of the timing signal T5. As a
consequence, the identification card C is returned to the holder (marked
to prevent its use to obtain another scorecard). He also receives a
scorecard which bears his initials, his handicap, and the date.
Continuing with the exemplary sequence of events, the assigned cardholder
will now be assumed to have completed a round of golf, the score of which
should be turned in at the office as current data relating to his
handicap. As explained above, if the player should attempt to obtain
another scorecard (using his identification card C), the player unit P
will not dispense a scorecard but rather will instruct the player to check
in at the office. However, assume that in accordance with proper
procedure, upon completing the round of golf, the scorecard is taken to
the office and delivered to an operator of the office unit O pursuant to
reporting the score.
At the office unit (FIG. 1), the sequence will be as follows. The operator
inserts the identification card C, depresses the button 62 (receive
score), and instructs the player to depress the specific one of the keys
76 to indicate his confidential number. Thereafter, the operator utilizes
the keyboard 32 to enter the fresh score on the identification card. The
office unit O then enters the fresh score and additionally deletes the
most time-remote score after which the player's handicap is computed on
the basis of fresh scores. Additionally, the USE bit is reset to a true
state on the identification card C for use to obtain another scorecard.
With the completion of these operations, the scorecard is dicharged from
the office unit O through the slot 28 and is returned to the player for
subsequent use.
To consider these operations with regard to structure, reference will now
be had to FIG. 4. Initially, it is noteworthy that the office unit O
incorporates a card reader 138 and a card recorder 140 which are similar
to forms of those units as described above with respect to FIG. 3. Another
similarity with the structure of FIG. 3 involves registering the recorded
contents of the card C. However, in the system of FIG. 4, a pair of
registers 142 and 144 are provided to receive the full record from both of
the tracks 16 and 20. That is, the register 142 receives the score signals
SC along with the personal and control data represented by the signals
UNA, USE, HC, INI, and IDN. In a somewhat similar manner, the register 144
receives the date signals DAT on which individual golf scores were
recorded.
The office unit O as represented in FIG. 4, involves considerably more data
processing than occurs in the player unit P (FIG. 3). In that regard, the
data from the identification card C first is moved into the registers 142
and 144. Then it may be cycled back into these registers, for access and
processing. With the completion of such processing, the data is modified
and finally moved from the registers 142 and 144 to freshly record the
individual tracks 16 and 20 on the card C.
The system of FIG. 4 also includes a timing system 146 (lower left). Again,
the system 146 functions to provide individual binary timing signals (T1,
T2, T3, T4, and T5) in high states to sequence the operations.
As indicated above, the office unit O incorporates structure for displaying
a player's handicap from the signals HC recorded on the identification
card C. In essence, the structure of the office unit (FIG. 4) for
performing that operation substantially coincides to the structure
previously described with respect to the player unit P as depicted in FIG.
3. Such structure is provided in the read handicap unit 150 (FIG. 4,
central right) which is connected to receive the contents of the register
142 through a signal path 152, and provide signals to a display unit 154
(FIG. 4, lower central) through a signal path 156. The unit 150 is
connected to receive the command signal RHC, along with select timing
signals T1-T5.
The operation of the office unit O to receive a fresh score and update the
handicap data word HC will now be considered. In general, the operation
involves supplying the player identification card C to the card reader 138
and manually actuating the keyboard 32 (FIG. 1) to provide input signals
from a signal source or data input unit 160 (FIG. 4, lower right). Of
course, a wide variety of structures are well known and widely used for
providing representative digital-signal data in response to depression of
individual data keys.
Pursuing the operation of entering a fresh score in somewhat greater
detail, the operator initially depresses a button 62 (FIG. 1) designated
"receive score" which provides a high form of the command signal RCS for a
predetermined duration. Depending upon the manner in which the office unit
O is used and located, it may be desirable to require the insertion of a
key to enable the generation of the signal RCS. Of course, the key may
take any of a variety of forms ranging from a traditional metal lock key
to a plastic card.
During the first phase of operation (period of signal T1 being high) the
data from the tracks 16 and 20 is sensed from the card C and placed in the
registers 142 and 144. Next, with the record signal RCS in a high state,
the scores of prior games (represented by the signals SC) are shifted one
location in the register 142 with the result that the oldest score is lost
and space becomes available for the fresh score. Such shifting operations
in a register are well known and a wide variety of structure are in
widespread use to accomplish such a displacement along with the insertion
of fresh data. Specifically, in the system of FIG. 4, the operation is
performed by moving the contents of the register 142 through and a
re-record unit 164 along with signals from a gate circuit 162 copper right
during the interval of T2. It is to be noted that the gate circuit 162 and
the display unit 154 receive the fresh score signal SC (current score)
from the keyboard and data input unit 160.
A similar shifting and entering operation is performed on the data
contained by the register 144 (center), i.e. the dates of the record
scores. Specifically, the current data is represented by signals DAT
applied to a gate circuit 166 (central right) along with the signal RCS
and the timing signal T2. Consequently, the shifting and insertion
operation is performed by a re-record unit 168, cycling the contents of
the register 144. At the conclusion of these operations, the registers 142
and 144 certain current information on scores and dates including the
latest score and data.
The next operation in the sequence involves the calculation of the fresh
handicap during the interval of T3. Specifically, during the interval of
T3, the contents of the register 142 is supplied through the data path 152
to a handicap computer 169 for processing. Such a transfer is commanded by
the signal RCS being in a high state. The handicap computer may take a
variety of forms, for example, a golf computer is disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 3,665,494 issued May 23, 1972. In an alternative embodiment, the
computer may take other forms as, for example, a bowling score computer, a
form of which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,974,483 issued Aug. 10,
1946.
Operationally, the handicap computer 169 provides signals representative of
the newly computed handicap, i.e. signals HC. During the interval of the
timing signal T4, such signals HC are supplied from the handicap computer
169 through an "and" gate 170 to register the fresh handicap HC in the
register 142. The signals concurrently reset the USE bit to a true state
thereby indicating the score has been entered. Accordingly, the registers
142 and 144 contain current information reflecting the fact that a score
has been received and concurrently the handicap data word HD adjusted if
appropriate.
During the next time interval (indicated by the signal T5 being in a high
state), the registers 142 and 144 are cleared through the units 164 and
168, respectively, to the recorder 140 for freshly recording the tracks 16
and 20 on the identification card C. At this point it is perhaps
noteworthy to observe that almost no delay exits between the time when a
fresh game of golf is completed and the score of that game is reflected in
the players's handicap. Therein lies a distinct advantage of the present
system.
As indicated above, the office unit O may be employed to perform a number
of functions other than displaying the present handicap and entering a
fresh | | |
