Improved system for monitoring play of a golfer

What is claimed is:

1. A system for monitoring a golfer's play within a golf course, comprising:

a mobile transmitter carried in association with the golfer for transmitting an identification signal associated therewith;

a plurality of location receivers each proximate to a corresponding golf hole within said golf course and each operable to receive said identification signal in response to the golfer being proximate to said corresponding golf hole;

a plurality of location transmitters each operable to transmit a play monitoring signal in response to a polling signal, said play monitoring signal indicating whether the golfer is proximate to said corresponding golf hole during a time period in response to a number of times an associated one of said location receivers receives said identification signal during said time period; and

means for determining whether the golfer plays one of said corresponding golf holes within a predetermined length of time in response to said play monitoring signals transmitted from said location transmitters.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said determining means comprises:

means for determining a length of time for the golfer to play one of said corresponding golf holes in response to said play monitoring signals transmitted from said location transmitters; and

means for comparing a predetermined time against said length of time for the golfer to play in order to enable the determination of whether the golfer played the golf hole within the predetermined time.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said location transmitters are each operable to transmit said play monitoring signal indicating that the golfer is proximate to said corresponding golf hole in response to said associated location receiver receiving said identification signal more than a specified number of times during said time period.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said location transmitters are each operable to transmit said play monitoring signal indicating that the golfer is not proximate to said corresponding golf hole in response to said associated location receiver failing to receive said identification signal more than a specified number of times during said time period.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said specified number of times is zero.

6. The system of claim 1 and further comprising:

a monitoring transmitter for transmitting said polling signal; and

a plurality of polling receivers each for receiving said polling signal so that an associated one of said location transmitters transmits said play monitoring signal in response to said polling signal.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein each said associated location transmitter begins transmitting said play monitoring signal at a specified time after said polling signal is received.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said specified time varies according to each said associated location transmitter.

9. The system of claim 1 and further comprising:

a monitoring transmitter for transmitting a plurality of polling signals; and

a plurality of polling receivers each for receiving an associated one of said polling signals so that an associated one of said location transmitters transmits said play monitoring signal in response to said associated polling signal.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said monitoring transmitter is operable to transmit each said associated polling signal at a different time within a specified period of time.

11. The system of claim 1 and further comprising means responsive to said determining means for indicating a slow play occurrence in response to the golfer failing to play the golf hole within the predetermined time.

12. The system of claim 1 and further comprising means for displaying which of said corresponding golf holes the golfer is playing in response to said play monitoring signals.

13. A system for monitoring a golfer's play within a golf course, comprising:

a mobile transmitter carried in association with the golfer for transmitting an identification signal associated therewith;

a plurality of location receivers each proximate to a corresponding golf hole within said golf course and each operable to receive said identification signal in response to the golfer being proximate to said corresponding golf hole;

a plurality of location transmitters operable to transmit a data packet;

a plurality of packet receivers operable to receive said data packet;

a plurality of modifying means each for modifying said data packet in response to an associated one of said packet receivers receiving said data packet such that said data packet transmitted from an associated one of said location transmitters comprises a play monitoring signal, said play monitoring signal indicating whether the golfer is proximate to said corresponding golf hole during a time period in response to a number of times an associated one of said location receivers receives said identification signal during said time period; and

means for determining whether the golfer plays one of said corresponding golf holes within a predetermined length of time in response to said play monitoring signals in said data packet.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein said determining means comprises:

means for determining a length of time for the golfer to play one of said corresponding golf holes in response to said play monitoring signals in said data packet; and

means for comparing a predetermined time against said length of time for the golfer to play in order to enable the determination of whether the golfer played the golf hole within the predetermined time.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein said plurality of modifying means are each operable to modify said data packet in response to said associated packet receiver receiving said data packet such that said data packet transmitted from said associated location transmitter comprises an address of a next sequential one of said packet receivers, so that said data packet is received by said next sequential packet receiver.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein, in response to each said address of said next sequential packet receiver included in said data packet, said data packet is received by a sequence of said packet receivers.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein said plurality of modifying means are each operable to modify said data packet in response to said associated packet receiver indicating a failure condition such that said data packet transmitted from said associated location transmitter comprises a different address, so that said sequence of said packet receivers is modified.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein each said associated packet receiver is operable to indicate said failure condition in response to said associated packet receiver failing to receive said data packet within a predetermined time after said data packet is transmitted from said associated location transmitter.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein a selected one of said sequence of packet receivers is coupled to said determining means, and wherein said determining means is operable to determine whether the golfer plays one of said corresponding golf holes within said predetermined length of time in response to said play monitoring signals in said data packet received by said selected packet receiver.

20. The system of claim 13 wherein each said packet receiver is physically associated with a respective one of said location receivers.

21. A method of monitoring a golfer's play within a golf course, comprising the steps of:

transmitting an identification signal associated with a mobile transmitter carried in association with the golfer;

receiving said identification signal with each of a plurality of location receivers each proximate to a corresponding golf hole within said golf course and each in response to the golfer being proximate to said corresponding golf hole;

transmitting from each of a plurality of location transmitters a play monitoring signal in response to a polling signal, said play monitoring signal indicating whether the golfer is proximate to said corresponding golf hole during a time period in response to a number of times an associated one of said location receivers receives said identification signal during said time period; and

determining whether the golfer plays one of said corresponding golf holes within a predetermined length of time in response to said play monitoring signals transmitted from said location transmitters.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said determining step comprises the steps of:

determining a length of time for the golfer to play one of said corresponding golf holes in response to said play monitoring signals transmitted from said location transmitters; and

comparing a predetermined time against said length of time for the golfer to play in order to enable the determination of whether the golfer played the golf hole within the predetermined time.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein said play monitoring signal transmitting step comprises the step of transmitting from at least one of said location transmitters said play monitoring signal indicating that the golfer is proximate to said corresponding golf hole in response to said associated location receiver receiving said identification signal more than a specified number of times during said time period.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein said play monitoring signal transmitting step comprises the step of transmitting from at least one of said location transmitters said play monitoring signal indicating that the golfer is not proximate to said corresponding golf hole in response to said associated location receiver failing to receive said identification signal more than a specified number of times during said time period.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein said specified number of times is zero.

26. The method of claim 21 and further comprising the steps of:

transmitting said polling signal from a monitoring transmitter; and

receiving said polling signal with a plurality of polling receivers each so that an associated one of said location transmitters transmits said play monitoring signal in response to said polling signal.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein said play monitoring signal transmitting step comprises the step of beginning transmission of said play monitoring signal at a specified time after said polling signal is received.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein said specified time varies according to each said associated location transmitter.

29. The method of claim 21 and further comprising the steps of:

transmitting a plurality of polling signals from a monitoring transmitter; and

receiving an associated one of said polling signals with at least one of a plurality of polling receivers so that an associated one of said location transmitters transmits said play monitoring signal in response to said associated polling signal.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein said polling signals transmitting step comprises the step of transmitting each said associated polling signal at a different time within a specified period of time.

31. The method of claim 21 and further comprising the step of indicating a slow play occurrence in response to the golfer failing to play the golf hole within the predetermined time.

32. The method of claim 21 and further comprising the step of displaying which of said corresponding golf holes the golfer is playing in response to said play monitoring signals.

33. A method of monitoring a golfer's play within a golf course, comprising the steps of:

transmitting an identification signal associated with a mobile transmitter carried in association with the golfer;

receiving said identification signal with each of a plurality of location receivers each proximate to a corresponding golf hole within said golf course and each in response to the golfer being proximate to said corresponding golf hole;

transmitting a data packet from each of a plurality of location transmitters;

receiving said data packet with each of a plurality of packet receivers;

modifying said data packet in response to an associated one of said packet receivers receiving said data packet such that said data packet transmitted from an associated one of said location transmitters comprises a play monitoring signal, said play monitoring signal indicating whether the golfer is proximate to said corresponding golf hole during a time period in response to a number of times an associated one of said location receivers receives said identification signal during said time period; and

determining whether the golfer plays one of said corresponding golf holes within a predetermined length of time in response to said play monitoring signals in said data packet.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein said determining step comprises the step of:

determining a length of time for the golfer to play one of said corresponding golf holes in response to said play monitoring signals in said data packet; and

comparing a predetermined time against said length of time for the golfer to play in order to enable the determination of whether the golfer played the golf hole within the predetermined time.

35. The method of claim 33 wherein said modifying step comprises the step of modifying said data packet in response to said associated packet receiver receiving said data packet such that said data packet transmitted from said associated location transmitter comprises an address of a next sequential one of said packet receivers, so that said data packet is received by said next sequential packet receiver.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein said data packet receiving step comprises the step of receiving said data packet with a sequence of said packet receivers, in response to each said address of said next sequential packet receiver included in said data packet.

37. The method of claim 36 and further comprising the step of indicating a failure condition with said associated packet receiver, wherein said modifying step comprises the step of modifying said data packet in response to said associated packet receiver indicating said failure condition such that said data packet transmitted from said associated location transmitter comprises a different address, so that said sequence of said packet receivers is modified.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein said failure condition indicating step comprises the step of indicating said failure condition with said associated packet receiver in response to said associated packet receiver failing to receive said data packet within a predetermined time after said data packet is transmitted from said associated location transmitter.

39. The method of claim 36 wherein said determining step comprises the step of determining whether the golfer plays one of said corresponding golf holes within said predetermined length of time in response to said play monitoring signals in said data packet received by a selected one of said sequence of packet receivers.

Description Submit all comments and votes

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains in general to systems for managing golf courses and more particularly to a system for monitoring play of a golfer, and golf cart and golf hole utilization in a golf course.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Golf is increasing in popularity to an extent that available golf courses are becoming crowded. It is thus important that golfers play at reasonable speeds to allow others to enjoy the golf course. Slow play by some players has thus become a significant problem, in that only a few slow players can delay many subsequent players.

The ideal round of golf requires approximately four hours to complete, but slow golfers often cause a round to take five or even six hours. Most golfers are thus upset by a five or six hour round of golf caused by excessive delays from slower players. Slow golfers disrupt the pace of other golfers, resulting in frustration and poorer scores. Many golfers refuse to play in crowded golf courses because slow play is more likely. Slow play reduces the number of golfers able to use a golf course, resulting in loss of revenue for the golf course.

Various attempts have been made to eliminate slow play. A golf course employee will sometimes personally observe golfers and detect slow play, but this method is expensive, inefficient, and disruptive. The employee can observe only one location at a time, and excessive employees may appear overbearing, as well as being expensive. Attempts to educate golfers regarding slow play have generally failed.

Moreover, due to an inability to monitor the play of all players on a course, golf courses are often not able to efficiently utilize their courses, thus reducing the available income from the courses.

Therefore, a need has arisen for a system to automatically and unobtrusively monitor play of a golfer and to notify the golfer and golf course personnel of slow play.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention disclosed and claimed herein describes a system and method for monitoring play of a golfer. It is a technical advantage of this invention that problems created by slow golfers are substantially eliminated. It is a further advantage of the present invention that information regarding the play of a golfer enables golf course personnel to study utilization of golf carts and golf holes within the golf course.

In one aspect of the invention, a golfer is notified of a slow play condition. It is a technical advantage of this aspect of the invention that a golfer is automatically warned when to take corrective action by increasing the speed of play.

In another aspect of the invention, golf course personnel are also notified of a slow play condition. It is a technical advantage of this aspect of the invention that golf course personnel are immediately alerted when to direct corrective action.

In still another aspect of the invention, information regarding play of a golfer is reported and stored for retrieval at a later time. It is a technical advantage of this aspect of the invention that slow play of a particular golfer can be documented and proved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical golf course equipped with the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a Location Information Transmitter (LIT) of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of the LIT;

FIG. 4 illustrates a logic flow diagram of the LIT operation;

FIG. 5 illustrates a Mobile Electronic Transmitter/Receiver (METAR) of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of the METAR;

FIG. 7 illustrates a logic flow diagram of the METAR operation;

FIG. 8 illustrates the use of two LIT's at a single golf course location;

FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of a Tracking Center of the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a display terminal of the Tracking Center;

FIG. 11 illustrates a data chart on the display terminal;

FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention wherein two LITs are used to distinguish between a golfer playing a hole and one who is merely passing by on an adjacent cart path;

FIG. 13 illustrates a logic flow diagram of the Tracking Center.

FIG. 14 illustrates a report from the Tracking Center;

FIGS. 15a-b illustrate another exemplary embodiment of the METAR and the LIT operation;

FIG. 16 illustrates a logic flow diagram of the METAR operation according to the approach of FIGS. 15a-b;

FIG. 17 illustrates a first exemplary logic flow diagram of the LIT operation according to the approach of FIGS. 15a-b;

FIG. 18 illustrates a second exemplary logic flow diagram of the LIT operation according to the approach of FIGS. 15a-b;

FIG. 19 illustrates a first exemplary logic flow diagram of the LIT operation according to the approach of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20a illustrates a second exemplary logic flow diagram of the LIT operation according to the approach of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20b illustrates a logic flow diagram of the Tracking Center operation according to the approach of FIG. 20a;

FIG. 21a illustrates a third exemplary logic flow diagram of the LIT operation according to the approach of FIG. 18;

FIG. 21b illustrates a logic flow diagram of the Tracking Center operation according to the approach of FIG. 21a;

FIG. 22 illustrates a data packet of a token ring communication arrangement;

FIG. 23a illustrates a fourth exemplary logic flow diagram of the LIT operation according to the approach of FIG. 18 using the token ring communication arrangement; and

FIG. 23b illustrates a logic flow diagram of the Tracking Center operation according to the approach of FIG. 23a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the present invention is best understood by referring to FIGS. 1-23 of the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the drawing. FIGURE I illustrates a typical golf course equipped with the present invention. The golf course contains numerous golf holes such as those indicated generally at 10 and 14, a golf cart barn 16, golf cart pathways 18 and 20, and a clubhouse 22. Additional golf holes included in the golf course are not shown in FIG. 1 but are of similar design as golf holes 10 and 14. Clubhouse 22 typically contains offices for golf course personnel and a golf shop which sells equipment. Golfers 24 and 26 usually enter clubhouse 22 prior to playing a round of golf. Golf carts such as those indicated generally at 28 and 34 are stored and maintained in golf cart barn 16. These golf carts 28 and 34 travel throughout the golf course along golf cart pathways 18 and 20. A golfer 24 may rent golf cart 28 for transportation of golfer 24 and golf clubs 30. Alternatively, golfer 26 may choose to carry golf clubs 32 without aid of a golf cart.

Golf holes 10 and 14 include tee box areas 36 and 38, fairways 40 and 42, and greens 44 and 46. Golfers 24 and 26 sequentially proceed through the various golf holes 10 and 14 of the golf course, usually playing a total of eighteen golf holes. At typical golf hole 10, golfer 24 begins play at tee box area 36 and proceeds to fairway 40, green 44 and ultimately to tee box area 38 of the next hole 14, where the play is continued in the same pattern.

In operation of the basic embodiment of the present invention, golfers 24 and 26 each have a transmitter device, known as a Mobile Electronic Transmitter/Receiver (METAR), 48 and 50 attached to either golf cart 28 or golf bag 32. Each METAR 48 and 50 receives data signals from a second type of transmitter and measures how long it takes golfer 24 and 26 to play golf hole 10 and 14. Transmitters of the second type, known as Location Information Transmitters (LIT's), 54 and 56 are placed within or adjacent to tee box areas 36 and 38, or in an alternative embodiment, adjacent greens or other areas. Each LIT transmits a signal representative of the location of the LIT to any METAR 48 and 50 within a specified low power RF transmission range indicated by dotted circles 60 and 62. If the play of golfer 24 at hole 10 exceeds a predetermined amount of time (stored in the memory of METAR 48), he is notified by an indicator on METAR 48 of his slow play.

In one embodiment, an additional transmitter 52, called a course data transmitter (CDT) and similar to an LIT, is located adjacent to cart path 18 near cart barn 16. Course data (such as time allocated to each hole) is entered into the CDT by golf course personnel and the information is transmitted to any METAR passing through its low power RF transmission range 58. Each METAR then stores the information in its memory.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, METAR's 48 and 50 of the basic embodiment previously detailed are supplemented with transmitters to transmit unique identification signals to LIT's 54 and 56 which, in this embodiment, include receivers to receive the METAR transmissions. Each LIT transmitter also has the ability to transmit high power signals. Club house 22 contains a Tracking Center with a receiver for receiving the high power signals from the LIT'S, a timer for timing golf play, and a display for monitoring the location and playing speed of each METAR which is associated with a golfer.

In operation, each LIT 54 periodically transmits a coded signal representing the location of LIT 54, such as a hole number. When golfer 24 with METAR 48 comes into range 60 of LIT 54, the circuitry of METAR 48 decodes the received signal and retrieves from its memory the length of time allotted for golfer 24 to play hole 10. A countdown time in METAR 48 is then set to the allotted time and begun. When the timer reaches zero, indicating that golfer 24 has exceeded the allotted time for hole 10, METAR 48 notifies golfer 24 of the slow play. If golfer 24 completes hole 10 and crosses into range 62 of the next hole 14 before the count on the timer expires, the timer resets to the time allotted for hole 14 and the process continues for hole 14 and each subsequent hole.

The transmitter in LIT 54 also transmits a high powered signal to the Tracking Center indicating the identity of METAR 48 and its location. In this manner, golf course personnel can monitor the location of each golfer and identify any slow players. If necessary, a golf course employee can immediately request the slow player to increase the speed of play. Furthermore, habitual slow play can be documented and the player later reprimanded or disciplined.

FIG. 2 illustrates a CDT of the present invention such as CDT 52. CDT 52 contains an ON/OFF switch 64, power source 66, antenna 68 and light detector 70. Thumbwheel switches, indicated generally at 84, respectively allow selection of an LIT code 72, which is different for each LIT in the golf course, course identification number 76 and transmission range 80. CDT 52 uses course identification number 76 to select its base transmission frequency, thus allowing simultaneous operation of the system at adjacent golf courses. Antenna 68 is used to transmit signals over specified transmission range 58. CDT 52 transmits a periodic signal containing the hole number or location code of CDT 52. Light detector 70 causes CDT 52 to shut off when it senses light levels which are insufficient for play, thus extending the useful life of power source 66.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of LIT 54. A multiplexer 82 converts positions of thumbwheel switches 84 into an input for a microprocessor 86. A clock 88 specifies the period of the LIT transmission. At specified time intervals, microprocessor 86 sends data to an RF transmitter 90 for transmission of the location signal. In one embodiment, a receiver 83 is associated with LIT 54 to receive identification signals from METARs 48 and 50, and LIT 54 contains circuitry 85 to provide a high power RF transmission to clubhouse 22. The high power RF transmission contains the METAR identification and the LIT code to enable golf course personnel to monitor golf play.

FIG. 4 illustrates a logic flow diagram of the operation of LIT 54. After power is applied in step 91, an interval time is activated at step 92 to control the wait period between LIT transmissions. When the timer expires in step 94, LIT 54 transmits its specified LIT code in step 96. The interval time is then restarted at step 92 and the cycle repeated.

FIG. 5 illustrates a METAR of the present invention, such as METAR 48, having an ON/OFF switch 100, power source 102 and antenna 104. Thumbwheel switches allow selection of a METAR code 106, which is different for each METAR in clubhouse 22. Golf course personnel attach a protective cover 110 to prevent unauthorized modifications to a thumbwheel switches 106. METAR 48 also contains displays, indicated generally at 138, which indicate the golf hole number 112 currently being played, number of par strokes 114 allocated to the golf hole, and time remaining to play the current golf hole 116.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of METAR 48. A multiplexer 126 converts the positions of thumbwheel switches 106 into an input signal for a microprocessor 130. A clock 132 controls the operation rate of microprocessor 130. An RF receiver 134 receives location signals transmitted from LIT 54 and sends this information to microprocessor 130. Based on the received information, METAR 48 retrieves data from its memory 136 and displays it on display 138. METAR 48 also transmits its identification code from an RF transmitter 140 to LIT 54. In one embodiment, METAR 48 receives course information, such as allotted time for each hole, from the CDT and stores the information in memory 136.

FIG. 7 illustrates a logic flow diagram of METAR 48 operation. After METAR 48 is initially activated in step 141, microprocessor 130 determines in decision block 142 whether receiver 134 has received a signal from nearby LIT 54. If not, microprocessor 130 loops until such a signal is received. When the LIT signal is received, microprocessor 130 directs RF transmitter 140 to transmit the METAR identification code in step 144. Microprocessor 130 then again determines in decision block 146 whether receiver 134 has received another LIT signal. If not, transmission delay time is changed in step 148 and control returns again to step 144; this loop will continue until microprocessor 130 determines in decision block 146 that receiver 134 has received the LIT signal. If the LIT signal is being received by METAR 48 for the first time, determined in decision block 150, then METAR display 138 is cleared in step 152, microprocessor 130 retrieves from memory 136 information concerning the hole and displays this information in step 154 on display 138. Then, microprocessor 130 begins the countdown time in step 156 and execution continues with decision block 158.

If the signal received by METAR 48 from LIT 54 was not the first, or if it was the first and the countdown time has begun in step 156, then microprocessor 130 determines in decision block 158 whether the time has reached zero. If so, golfer 24 has exceeded the allocated time to play the hole and display 138 indicates to golfer 24 of the slow play condition in step 160 and an audio alarm is activated in step 162. Execution then returns to step 142 and the process is repeated.

If the countdown time has not reached zero in decision block 158, execution returns directly to step 142.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention using two LIT's at a single golf tee box area. As the golf cart, indicated generally at 192 and containing a METAR 194, travels along golf cart path 196 associated with green area 198 of a golf hole, indicated generally at 200, METAR 194 enters transmission range 202 of an LIT 204 located at tee box area 206 of adjacent golf hole, indicated generally at 208, even though a golfer 210 assigned to METAR 194 is not utilizing adjacent golf hole 208. This condition results in a false indication of activity by golfer 210 at adjacent golf hole 208.

The false indication of golfer 210 activity is corrected by replacing LIT 204 of adjacent golf hole 208 with a first LIT 212 having a first transmission range 214 and a second LIT 216 having a second transmission range 214 and a second LIT 216 having a second transmission range 218. The two transmission ranges 214 and 218 define a border 220 across the appropriate golf cart path 222 associated with adjacent golf hole 208. The METAR 224 on the golf cart indicated generally at 226 is programmed to trigger upon passage of METAR 224 from second LIT 216 to first LIT 212. It can also be programmed to trigger upon passage from first LIT 212 to second LIT 216. In this manner, METAR 224 detects activity by golfer 211 at adjacent golf hole 208 only when golf cart 226 travels along golf cart path 222 associated with adjacent golf hole 208 and not when golf cart 192 travels along golf cart path 196.

As previously discussed, in one embodiment of the present invention, each LIT 54 and 56 transmits a high power RF signal to a remote Tracking Center. FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of a Tracking Center, indicated generally at 227, normally located in clubhouse 22 of a golf course equipped with the present invention. The Tracking Center 227 has a power source 228. An RF receiver 230 receives radio s