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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an interactive system for receiving, storing,
analyzing and outputting information related to the game of golf, and,
more particularly, to an interactive golf information system that can read
marks recorded on a golf play recording card and generate golf play
statistics and analysis based on the marks that are read.
2. Relevant Background
The game of golf is fast becoming one of the most popular sports in the
United States, as well as other countries. The game is usually played on a
9 or 18 hole golf course with a variety of golf clubs used to hit a golf
ball different distances. Each hole of a golf course may include a tee off
area having a number of different tee markers, a fairway, a rough, a
putting green, and a pin located in a cup on the putting green. Each hole
may also include various hazards such as sand traps, water hazards,
bunkers, trees, etc. Each golfer records on a scorecard the number of
times required to hit a golf ball from one of the tee markers into the cup
on the putting green for each hole. After all of the holes of a course are
completed, the golfer tallies the score for each hole and records a total
score for the course. Thus, the information recorded on such a scorecard
consists of a total number of stokes required for each hole and for the
entire course.
The conventional scorecards are usually pocket-sized cards with a grid for
keeping track of a number of different players' scores for each hole. Some
scorecards also have information concerning rules, etiquette, tee-to-pin
distance for each tee marker available, par for the hole, and a graphical
map of the course depicting the layout of each hole including any
obstacles and hazards in symbolic form. Although these scorecards provide
a golfer with additional information, only the number of strokes required
per hole is recorded on the scorecard.
Another type of scorecard is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,666,157 to Bodine
et al. in which a player records on a scorecard, a number in a
predetermined area of the scorecard, indicating which of a plurality of
golf clubs is used for each stroke and a mark indicating a location of the
golf ball on the golf course after each stroke. The scorecard includes a
top view of a fairway and putting green including distances from various
points on the course to a pin for each hole to allow a golfer to record
the location of the golf ball. The data recorded on the scorecard provides
information for a computer system to provide statistical information on a
hole-by-hole basis or club-by-club basis for flight, distance, swing and
positioning information. Golfers use this statistical information to
evaluate their play.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide an interactive golf information
system which receives, stores, analyzes and outputs a plurality of
different types of information related to golf.
It is another object of the invention to provide an interactive golf
information system for compiling and analyzing golf play based on
information recorded on a golf play recording card.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an interactive golf
information system capable of reading golf game information recorded on a
plurality of golf play recording cards.
It is also an object of the invention to provide an interactive golf play
recording card generator for generating a pocket-sized golf play recording
card for each hole of a golf course.
It is another object of the invention to provide an updating device for
updating golf course and weather conditions, rules of play, tee-to-pin
distances, instructions on how to best play a hole and any other important
information prior to generating the golf play recording cards.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a an interactive golf
information system including a golf play recording card customizing device
for customizing the recording cards based on a golfer's preference as to
what additional information he would like displayed on the cards.
It is an additional object of the invention to provide an interactive golf
information system including an analyzing device for providing detailed
analysis and statistical information based on information read from the
information recorded on the golf play recording cards.
These and other objects, features and advantages will become apparent to
those skilled in the art from the following detailed description when read
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.
In accordance with a broad aspect of the invention, a golf information
system comprises a central processing unit having a user interface which
allows the system to be accessed directly, for example, by a golfer in a
golf course club house or indirectly, such as, a golfer using a remote
access device. The user interface preferably includes a display device and
an input device. The display device displays a user selection menu which
provides a golfer with a variety of options to select a variety of system
operating modes. If a golfer is not ready to play, the golfer can select
one of the options for paying a transaction cost, reserving a tee time,
generating a printed lesson based on previous rounds of golf played,
printing or displaying a previously played round of golf, statistical
analysis and information on a previous round or rounds of golf, league
information, handicap, course conditions, information on other golfers and
information on other golf courses. If a golfer is set to tee off soon, the
golfer can select one of the options to pay for the round of golf and use
of the golf information system, select how to customize the golf play
recording cards and generate the customized golf play recording cards.
A single pocket-sized golf play recording card is provided for each hole.
Each of the golf play recording cards may have the following information
printed thereon: a layout of the fairway and green with distance
indicating marks which indicate distance from a pin to various points on
the course and distance from each of the tees to the various hazards on
the course, cup location, topographical information showing the terrain of
the hole, weather conditions, hazards, areas under repair, fairway
conditions, putting green conditions, instructions on how to best play the
hole, advertisements, and rules of play for the day. All of the previously
described information can be updated daily and even just before the cards
are printed. The cards also contain other information such as par for the
hole, name of golfer playing, a grid for recording stroke information, an
arrow showing true north, separate display areas for the putting green and
fairway, a golfer's handicap, services available on a particular hole, and
instructions on how to use the system. Further, each card has a bar code
printed thereon to identify a golfer recording the marks on the card and a
particular hole that specific card represents. Each card can be customized
by adding information such as marks indicating how a previous player
played the hole, what clubs the previous player used to play the hole and
any other appropriate information such as a different scoring system
(Calcutta, Skins, Straight Golf, etc.) being used and bets made between
golfers.
Using one of the golf play recording cards for each hole, a golfer records
each stroke on each hole by entering a single mark for each stroke. The
single mark is in the form of an alphanumeric character which indicates a
golf club used for that particular stroke and the location of the golf
ball after that particular stroke. The single mark is recorded at the
exact point on the golf play recording card that corresponds to the exact
location of a golf ball on the actual golf course after each stroke. Other
information concerning the conditions of the course, difficulties
encountered, and weather conditions can be recorded as well with
additional marks in another part of the card.
After each stroke for each hole is recorded on the golf play recording
cards, the cards are inserted in any order into a reader and information
marked on the cards is read and stored in the system. The cards can be
inserted in any order and mixed with other golfer's cards because the
system recognizes the hole and golfer from the bar code on each card. It
should be pointed out that the reader can read both the golf club used and
the exact location of the golf ball for each stroke, as well as any other
information recorded thereon. Further, the system can read the type of
scoring being used by a golfer from a mark on the card and analyze a
player's performance according to the chosen scoring system. Also, the
system can tally the results of the bets made and inform each member of a
golfing party how much each player won or lost.
Once the information on the round of golf just played is input to the
system, a golfer can select any of a variety of menu options displayed on
the display. The golfer can choose to keep his information input into the
system private through a selected menu option, a special access code or
I.D. card. A golfer can also select an analysis mode where his last round
of golf is analyzed for proper club selection, consistent errors, strokes
per hole, strokes per club, distance per club, number of putts, fairways
and greens hit in regulation, penalties, saves, eagles, birdies, pars,
bogeys and USGA handicap with slope rating of the course played. Further,
a golfer can select a command to have the system output a lesson for
improving consistent golfing errors detected by the computer or a
suggested golf club selection list depicting each club a golfer used and a
club recommended by the system for improved play. The golfer can also
select any of the previously described options including reserving a tee
time for the next round of golf and printing or displaying a previously
played round of golf with or without the scores of the other members of
the golfer's party, statistical information on a previous round or rounds
of golf, league information, handicap, course conditions, and information
on other golfers.
If a golfer does not wish to go through the above selection process, the
golfer can simply record a default selection list in the system so that
whenever that particular golfer inserts golf play recording cards, the
system knows what options that golfer desires. For example, a golfer may
record in the system that he wants all of the available statistical
analysis to be conducted and he wants the same tee time to be reserved.
The system will conduct the analysis and reserve the appropriate tee time
without the golfer having to make the selections each time. This feature
allows a golfer to drop his golf play recording cards into the system
after a round of golf and avoid having to wait around to go through the
options selection process. The golfer can access the analysis and
information later, at home or whenever he returns to the golf course.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the interactive golf game information system
of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the data storage areas of the memory of FIG.
1;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the control program for the golf game
information system of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a pictorial view of one side of a golf play recording card used
in the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a pictorial view of an instruction card used with the golf play
recording cards of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart diagram depicting the operation of the golf game
information system of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart diagram illustrating a payment operating mode of the
golf game information system of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart diagram illustrating a tee-time reservation operating
mode of the golf game information system of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart diagram illustrating a golf play recording card
generating operating mode of the golf game information system of the
present invention;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart diagram illustrating a data reading operating mode
of the golf game information system of the present invention; and
FIG. 11 is a flowchart diagram illustrating a golf play analysis operating
mode of the golf game information system of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 shows the elements of an interactive golf game information system 1
of the present invention including a computer having a central processing
unit (CPU) 10 which controls the system operation and processes
information input to and output from system 1. CPU 10 is connected to a
memory 12 which stores all of the programs required to operate the system
and all of the data input to the system. Memory 12 can comprise a mass
memory such as a mainframe device at a remote location or a hard drive at
the golf course pro shop for storing golf information for a large number
of golfers, i.e., essentially for every golfer in the world. Memory 12 can
also comprise a read only memory (ROM) for storing all of the operating
programs which control the functions of the system. Alternatively, the
system operating programs can be stored in the computer in the form of a
programmable read only memory (PROM) if the computer is to be used only
for the golf game information system. Memory 12 can also comprise random
access memory (RAM) for storing data which changes often such as weather
conditions, course conditions, golfers playing data, tee-to-pin distances,
etc.
As seen in FIG. 2, memory 12 includes a plurality of storage areas
including a golfer data storage area 30, a golf course data storage area
32, a tee-time reservation data storage area 34, a league data storage
area 36, a tournament data storage area 38, and a promotional ad data
storage area 40. Golfer data storage area 30 can include a separate
storage area for each golfer using the system. A variety of information
can be stored for each golfer in golfer data storage area 30 including
name, address, telephone number, social security number, handicap, golf
club memberships, default options previously selected by the golfer,
tee-time reservation information, statistical data on previous rounds of
golf played, financial account information, tournament and league
memberships and associated rounds of golf played and any other pertinent
information. When a golfer uses the system, the system can easily access
all of the information stored in that golfer's separate storage file.
Tee-time reservation data storage area 34 includes information on tee-time
reservations for every golf course using the system. Thus, tee-time
storage area 34 can be a central database for storing tee-time
reservations for courses all over the United States and world. The
information stored for each tee-time reservation on each course includes a
date, a time, number of people in a golfing party, names of the golfing
party members, any special requests or needs of the golfing party such as
a need for left handed clubs or a lesson from a golf course professional
prior to teeing off, a phone number where at least one member of the
golfing party can be reached and other appropriate information.
League data storage area 36 and a tournament data storage area 38 are used
for league play and tournament play to record the participating golfers,
immediately updating and displaying each golfer's score as play
progresses, rules of play, entry or membership rules and requirements
including fees, scoring information, leader board information and other
pertinent information. Further, league data storage area 36 can be used to
conduct nationwide tournaments between several different golf courses
simultaneously.
Promotional advertising data storage area 40 stores information concerning
advertising printed on the golf play recording cards and other material
printed by the system. For example, a golf play recording card, a tee-time
reservation card or a layout of the course including how a golfer just
played the course can have advertising information printed thereon.
Information concerning advertising available, cost of each advertisement,
location of each advertisement on each item output by the system, content
of advertisements, etc. is stored in promotional ad data storage area 40.
All of this information can be easily updated by a prospective advertiser
or a system manager.
Additional information storage areas within memory 12 can be easily set up
and maintained for any number of other categories of information to be
used by the system.
CPU 10 is also connected to a user interface 14 which allows a user to
interact with the system. User interface 14 preferably comprises a
touchscreen, a voice print recognition device, or a keyboard but can also
comprise any other information inputting device. By inputting certain
data, golfers can select a particular operating mode of the system.
Further, golfers can use the user interface 14 to enter information to be
input into one of the plurality of data storage areas in memory 12.
CPU 10 is further connected to a display 16 which provides a golfer with
information and data concerning the operation of the system and the
information being input and output to the system. Display 16 may
preferably be a color monitor including a cathode ray tube or an LCD.
Alternatively, as mentioned above, a touch sensitive display screen can be
provided in place of display 16 and user interface 14 and perform the same
functions thereof. Display 16 can also be used with a voice print
recognition device previously discussed.
CPU 10 is also connected to printer 18 for printing any of the data and
information input to and output by the system. Printer 18 is preferably a
multi-color printer, color laser copier or the like and is capable of
printing data supplied by the system. Printer 18 also includes a supply of
various printing media for printing a variety of information in several
different formats, for example: color golf play recording cards, tee-time
reservation receipts, certificates for outstanding play, transaction
receipts, account statements, a layout of a golf course including marks
depicting how a round of golf was played, tournament results, league
standings and other information for which a golfer wishes to receive a
permanent record.
CPU 10 is additionally connected to a data reader 20 which can preferably
include at least a golf play recording card reader 22 and a bar code
reader 24. Golf play recording card reader 22 can preferably be an image
scanner, an image digitizing and rasterizing device and optical character
recognition device (OCR) which is capable of recognizing alpha-numeric
characters from the image of the golf play recording cards scanned by the
scanner or rasterizing. Once the images are scanned by the scanner, the
digitizing or rasterizing device digitizes or rasterizes the scanned
image. Then, the OCR recognizes the marks made on the golf play recording
cards from the digitized image and stores the location and type of
character of each mark. Bar code reader 24 is used to read bar code
information on the golf play recording cards including a golfer's name and
personal information, a hole represented on each card and any other
information contained in the bar code. Data reader 20 may also comprise a
magnetic card reader 24 preferably comprising a magnetic character
recognition system capable of reading and writing magnetic data on a
magnetic recording medium such as an identification card, a credit card or
an automatic teller machine bank card. The identification cards used with
magnetic card reader 26 are used to allow a golfer to access the system to
update or retrieve information, change the golfer's default option
selection, to keep his scores and golf play information private or to
allow a golfer to select any of the other system functions. The
identification cards can also be used as debit cards allowing a golfer to
pay for greens fees, use of the golf information system, food from the
clubhouse, items in the pro shop, and for various services such as
lessons, caddies, etc. If a golfer does not wish to use the identification
card as a debit card, payment for the above items can be made using a
credit card or an automatic teller machine bank card. To make a
transaction using a credit card or a bank card only requires the same
activities as in a standard automatic teller machine transaction.
CPU 10 is also connected to a communication port 28 to allow a golfer to
access the system via a remote access device such as a modem, telephone or
computer located at a remote location. Communication port 28 can be used
to verify credit cards, access codes, bank card authorization data and any
other identification data and to allow a system user working from a
personal computer to access the system. This would allow a golfer to
access the system and have the system perform any one of the variety of
functions while the golfer is at home or away from a main computer located
preferably in a golf course club house or sports equipment store. For
example, a golfer can use a phone or home computer to reserve a tee-time,
generate a corrective lesson based on previous performance, review play of
a round, retrieve statistics, analysis of previous rounds played and any
other information stored in the system.
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the system operating program stored
in memory 12. In accordance with known principles, a control program
consists of a plurality of program modules that each serve a specific
identifiable function. A main program module 50 maintains overall control
of the system operation and calls into operation any of a number of
subordinate programs whenever needed. The subordinate programs include: a
display control module 52 for controlling what and how information is
displayed in display 16, a printer control module 54 for controlling the
information and format of material printed by printer 18, a data reading
control module 56 for reading data from any of the golf play recording
cards and bar codes printed thereon, credit cards, golfer identification
cards, automatic teller machine bank cards, etc., a data processing
control module 58 for controlling how the information read by data reader
20 is stored and analyzed, a user interface control module 60 for
controlling the flow of data from user interface 14 to the system, a golf
play recording card customizing and generating control module 62 for
controlling how a golf play recording card is customized and what
information is printed on each recording card, an analysis control module
64 for controlling the nature and extent of analysis requested and a
communications port control module 66 for controlling access of the system
from any of a number of remote access devices. As can easily be
understood, any additional subordinate programs can be added to accomplish
any additional desired functions. It should be understood that the control
program may be organized in other ways according to preferences of the
designer of the program and details of the tasks to be performed.
FIG. 4 shows a first or front side of a pocket-sized golf play recording
card 70 for a particular hole on a golf course. All of the information
printed on each of the recording cards 70 for each of a plurality of golf
courses is stored in memory 12. The information can be updated as often as
desired, preferably by golf course management having an appropriate access
code to change the golf course information. The information that can be
displayed on each card 70 for each hole includes but is not limited to:
the name of the golf course 71, the hole number and par for that hole 72,
the tee-to-pin distance for each of the tee markers 73, the name of a
golfer 74, a handicap for the golfer and number of stokes to be given on
that hole 75, services available on that hole 76, instructions on how best
to play that hole 77, a bar code identifying the particular hole and the
golfer 78, a scoring grid 79 for keeping track of strokes and putts of
each of the members of a golfing party, an arrow 80 showing true north
used to gauge wind direction, weather conditions 81 updated just before
play begins, an exploded view 82 of the putting green including
topographical slope information, distance information and hole location
83, and an overall layout view of the entire hole 84 including each of the
tee markers, fairway, rough, obstructions, areas under repair, pin
location, distance information, topographical information, tee-to-hazard
distance 85 and any other pertinent information.
FIG. 5 is an instruction card 90 instructing a golfer how to use the golf
play recording cards 70 of FIG. 4. The card 90 in FIG. 5 can be printed on
a reverse side of the card 70 shown in FIG. 4. Alternatively, the
instruction card shown in FIG. 5 can be a single card printed separately
from the golf play recording cards. Thus, by printing only one instruction
card 90, it is not as expensive or time-consuming to print the golf play
recording cards of FIG. 4. The information displayed on card 90 includes a
listing of golf clubs 91 that a golfer has in his golf bag. This list can
be modified by a golfer simply adding a golf club not shown on the card.
Also displayed on instruction card 90, are the specific characters 92 used
to represent each of the golf clubs in a golfer's bag. These characters 92
are normally pre-printed on the card according to a list input by a golfer
when he first joins the system. That is, when a golfer sets up an account
on the system, the system will output a card 90 with no golf club
information recorded thereon. The golfer then writes on card 90 each club
in his bag and the characters 92 he will use to indicate each club. The
golfers inserts completed card 90 back into the system which reads and
stores characters 92 written in that golfer's own handwriting. Thus, the
system can recognize a golfer's handwriting and reduce card reading
errors.
Another group of symbols 93 is used to represent elements shown graphically
on the layouts 84 of each hole contained on card 70. These elements 93 are
indicative of the course conditions and can be updated by the golf course
management having access to the appropriate security code to update the
golf course information stored in the golf course data storage area 30 of
memory 12.
A customizing information area 94 is provided to inform the golfer how each
card is customized and how customized information is displayed on card 70
shown in FIG. 4. In this example, the golfer selected to have the last
round of a professional golfer, such as Tom Watson, printed out on the
first side of the golf play recording card 70. The way Tom Watson played
this particular hole is then identified on the first side of the card 70
using the symbols 92. The present golfer can then compare how his play
matched up with the play of any professional golfer such as Tom Watson or
any other golfer including a golfer's own play. Any number of additional
rounds of golf for any player havin | | |
