 |
Description  |
|
|
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the game of golf, and in particular to a
computerized golf handicap system.
2. Description of the Related Art
All active golfing members of golf country clubs possess a paper or
cardboard membership identification and handicap index card. In most of
the country the handicap index cards are issued by the United States Golf
Association (USGA) via various local associations such as the Metropolitan
Golf Association (MGA) to the latter's individual member golf clubs. This
is known as the Golf Handicap Information Network (GHIN). The major
non-participant of this system is Southern California. In this area the
handicap cards are issued by Integrated Data Corporation (IDC) via the
Southern California Golf Association (SCGA) to the latter's individual
member golf clubs. This is known to a lesser degree as the IDC system.
Both the USGA and IDC have a computerized database system for tracking,
calculating and generating each golfer's handicap index on a monthly
basis.
Typically, a handicap index card has only a 12-month capacity from January
to December and must be reissued to all card holders at the beginning of
each year. Each month a golfer's current handicap index must be written on
the handicap index card under the correct monthly heading and validated
with a special stamp by the handicap chairman or other official of the
home course issuing the handicap index card or in some cases by a head
professional employed at that particular golf country club. It is usually
inconvenient, difficult, and time consuming to locate the proper golf club
official or golf professional to update the handicap index card.
At present, there exists a manual method and a computerized method for
inputting a golfer's scores into a golf association's handicap database
system. In the manual method, a golfer locates the score posting sheet of
the golf country club and writes in his membership identification number,
name, par rating for the tees played, his adjusted score, and date played.
If the golfer is a non-member of the club played, his entry is written on
an "away sheet" (sometimes called a "green sheet") and must include the
additional entry designating his home course. In both cases, the score
posting sheet must be delivered or mailed to the local golf association
for manual entry of the scores for each golfer into the database of the
golf association's computer system.
The manual method for entering golf scores is gradually being replaced by a
computerized entry system wherein a golfer can input his score after
playing a round of golf via a computer. The computerized entry system
usually requires the golfer to manually input via a separate 100-key
computer keyboard his membership identification number, the adjusted score
for that particular round of golf played, the tees used, the tournament
status, and other pertinent information. The inputting of this
information, by a golfer who is a member of the country club where his
entry is being made, can take approximately 14 to 24 key strokes on a
keyboard for a single golfer's entry. If a golfer is not a member at the
golf country club where his entry is being made, then he must also type in
his name and home course which increases the number of key strokes
required for the golfer's entry to a total of approximately 38 to 48 key
strokes.
As computer keyboards are complicated by the multi-purpose keys which can
effectively increase the number of functions each of the 100 keys on the
keyboard can perform, the inputting of data by a golfer via such a
keyboard is time consuming and often confusing, especially to golfers who
are not familiar with the layout of a conventional computer keyboard.
Further confusion is added by the presentation of approximately six or
more entry screens displayed by the computer's monitor during the
inputting process for each of the golfer's entries.
As a result, many golf country clubs feel such computer systems are too
complicated for their members and mandate that only the golf professional
or his assistants are authorized to use the computer system. The golf
professional must manually input the information for each of the golfers
which is normally provided to the professional on a golfer's handwritten
score card or handwritten sheet. This process is time consuming, tedious,
expensive, subject to unauthorized entries, and subject to error, be it
intentional or accidental.
Consequently, several computerized golf scoring systems have been devised
in the past. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,268,744, issued to McGeary on
May 19, 1981, discloses a system for use in cooperation with
identification cards incorporating a magnetic stripe which functions to
preserve a record and control the effect of scoring data, such as a
golfer's handicap. The McGeary system includes two components, a player
unit and an office unit. The player unit processes the data on the
identification card to issue score cards and indicate a player's handicap.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,319,131 issued to McGeary et al. on Mar. 9, 1982, discloses
a system for use in cooperation with record cards and identification cards
to indicate scoring data. In McGeary et al.'s system, the record cards
incorporate a magnetic stripe and preserve duplicate printed and magnetic
records of scoring data including a golfer's handicap. The McGeary et al
system includes an operating unit with a card printer. A player's data is
entered for processing and for entry on a record card and for use in
issuing identification cards that indicate a player's handicap.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,665,494 issued to Baumoel on May 23, 1972, discloses a golf
computer for computing the handicap of a golfer from information
corresponding to golf scores and course ratings entered on a conventional
punch card. The machine performs its function by reading the information
stored on the punch card and by using solid-state and the
electro-mechanical devices to derive the handicap defined by the United
States Golf Association.
All of the systems described above require the entry of data either through
a keyboard or by a data storage card that must make physical contact with
a card reader. The use of cards with magnetic stripes for storing data has
proven to be problematic as the capacity for storing data is limited and
because the magnetic stripe is easily damaged, resulting in a limited life
span of such cards. Further, most systems utilizing cards with a magnetic
stripe are limited to having read only data stored on the magnetic stripe
since in order to write data into the magnetic stripe, the magnetic stripe
would first need to be erased by an erasing means and new data would be
written into the magnetic stripe by a writing means. Magnetic read-write
card readers are available but these are expensive, are subject to
unauthorized printing of bogus credit cards, have low reliability, and
require high maintenance to service its mechanical rollers, pulleys,
springs, and magnetic heads. Also, the magnetic stripe has the inherent
limitations of becoming easily erased when it is exposed to magnetic
fields and can be easily damaged by scratching or by being exposed to
other harmful elements, thus significantly reducing the longevity of the
magnetic stripe. A magnetic stripe is further limited in the amount of
information which may be stored in the magnetic stripe as a result of its
size. As a consequence, the magnetic stripe either needs to be relatively
large or multiple magnetic stripes are required which in turn would also
require a read-write card reader having separate, erase, read and write
heads for each stripe.
None of the prior computerized golf scoring systems provide a golf handicap
entry system wherein a golfer has a electronic card capable of storing all
of a golfer's pertinent information that can be read remotely by a
computer without any physical contact with the computer system such that
all of the pertinent information is automatically entered into the
computer. Further, none of the prior golf scoring systems provide for the
entry of a golfer's score without the use of a separate keyboard and none
provide the golfer with a handicap card whereby the current handicap index
is automatically updated and stored on the golfer's electronic card.
Further still, none of the prior computerized golf scoring systems provide
for a multimedia system wherein a golfer may enter his score and other
pertinent information via a touch-screen monitor wherein the touch-screen
monitor also functions to display video and interactive programs when the
touch-screen is not being used for the entry of a golfer's score.
OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a golf handicap system
where a golfer's pertinent information is automatically entered into a
computer system and displayed instantaneously at the wave of an electronic
card.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a golf handicap
system having an automatic updating of the handicap index and index month
that are stored on an electronic card.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a golf handicap
system that is faster, more reliable and easier to use than prior systems.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a golf handicap system
which may easily be used by all golfers.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a golf
handicap system which automatically adds or cancels members.
It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a golf
handicap system in which the need to issue a new handicap index card every
year is eliminated.
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from
a review of the accompanying drawings and the detailed description of the
drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a golf handicap system comprising a central
processing unit (CPU), a touch-screen monitor, an electronic card having
information storing means, an antenna module having proximity recognition
means for transceiving data to and from the electronic card, a read-write
controller module that holds the data in random access memory (RAM) for
communications interface to the CPU or to the electronic card, and
appropriate computer software programs. The electronic card has an antenna
and a ferroelectric memory chip that is capable of storing a golfer's
membership identification number, name, home course handicap indexes,
index month and other pertinent data. The electronic card together with
the read-write controller module and antenna module function as the
primary means for automatically entering such data into the CPU by the
waving of the electronic card in proximity to the antenna module. The
read-write controller module provides for the automatic updating of a
golfer's handicap index and index month stored on the electronic card
during the waving of the electronic card. As the electronic card is being
read by the read-write controller module, the handicap index and index
date stored in the electronic card is compared to the current month's
handicap index issued by the golfer's association. If the latest golf
handicap index or the index does not correspond to the handicap index or
index stored on the electronic card, the electronic card is updated with
the latest handicap index and/or index month.
The touch-screen monitor displays a score entry screen which provides for
the immediate entry of additional data not stored in the electronic card
and other information such as the golfer's adjusted score, date shot, tees
used, tournament status, and other pertinent data. In the preferred
embodiment of the present invention, the score entry screen of the
touch-screen monitor defaults to the present date, "men's tees", and
"non-tournament" status to reduce the number of entries required for each
golfer. A "course" played default will also exist when a golf club has two
or more courses. However, a means for immediately changing the default
entries is provided if the golfer's data to be entered differs from the
default settings. Typically, only three quick touches of the touch-screen
would be required for an entry.
The electronic card is approximately the same size as a credit card and
contains a memory chip and an antenna. When waved within approximately six
inches of the antenna module, an interrupt mechanism will switch an
ongoing software program in the CPU to the score entry screen.
Simultaneously, the golfer's name, handicap number, home club, handicap
index, and index month will be read from the electronic card by a radio
signal and presented immediately to the golfer on the score entry screen
of the touch-screen monitor. For example, to activate the golf handicap
system of the present invention the golfer need only wave the electronic
card in the proximity of the electronic antenna module for the golfer's
data and the default entries to appear on the touch-screen monitor. If the
default entries are correct, the golfer touches only the appropriate icons
on the touch-screen monitor representing the numbers of the score shot to
enter the score shot for a particular round of golf. The golfer then
touches the "ENTER" icon to enter the score and the screen of the
touch-screen monitor automatically exits the score entry mode and returns
to a previous display. Eliminated is the process of locating the proper
keys on a 100-key keyboard, positioning the cursor from line to line,
typing the required information, and hitting "returns" for each entry.
In the preferred embodiment, the system of the present invention further
comprises a multimedia means such that when the touch-screen monitor is
not activated for use in the entry of a golfer's score, the touch-screen
monitor functions as a video display for presenting programming such as
advertisements and the like for promoting travel packages, promoting sales
of merchandise, and for displaying tournament schedules, and instructional
programs for example. The touch-screen monitor would normally be
presenting a video program until it is interrupted by a golfer having an
electronic card and desiring to enter his score at which time the score
entry mode would be activated and the score entry screen is presented to
the golfer. Once the golfer has completed his score entry, the
touch-screen monitor would automatically return to the video program mode.
As the system of the present invention may be coupled to a computer
network and database via modem, cable or satellite, for example, the
programming and information which can be displayed by the system of the
present invention is unlimited. It is appreciated that the system of the
present invention may also provide a means for golfers at different
locations to interact with each other via the touch-screen monitor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the golf handicap system of the
present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation shown in partial cutaway of an
electronic card used in the golf handicap system of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a touch-screen score entry display
for the entry of a golfer's score directly through the touch-screen
monitor of the golf handicap system of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a touch-screen manual course played
entry display for the manual entry of the name of the course played
directly through the touch-screen monitor of the golf handicap system of
the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a touch-screen monitor displaying a
video image through the touch-screen monitor of the golf handicap system
of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a touch-screen main menu display
for selecting desired functions directly through the touch-screen monitor
of the golf handicap system of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a touch-screen manual data entry
display for the manual entry of data directly through the touch-screen
monitor of the golf handicap system of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a utility entry touch-screen
display for the entry of data and special functions directly through the
touch-screen monitor of the golf handicap system of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is block diagram illustrating the various functions of the golf
handicap system of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram illustrating the preferred embodiment
of the system of the present invention, generally referred to by numeral
10, is shown. The system 10 comprises a central processing unit (CPU) 12
with related software 13, at least one touch-screen monitor 14, an
electronic card 16, an antenna module 18, and a read-write controller 19.
The CPU 12 is coupled to the read-write controller 19 and to the
touch-screen monitor 14 and is capable of communicating directly with a
host mainframe computer 20. The CPU 12 may also be coupled to a multimedia
database 22 capable of storing a variety of multimedia programs available
from a data source 24 via modem, cable or satellite, for example, such
multimedia programs may be readily accessed by CPU 12.
The host mainframe computer 20 may be any system that stores golf
information and that can send a packet of information which can be
interpreted by a network of member golf clubs such as the mainframe
computer systems of golf associations, like the USGA. The sending and/or
receiving of information can be accomplished via modem, through a computer
network system, or other well-known means such as cable, satellite
transmission and the like. The host mainframe computer 20 keeps track of
each golfer for all member golf clubs and is the repository for the last
twenty adjusted scores, dates shot, converted differentials, handicap
index for the current month and for each of the previous 11 months, and
other pertinent data for each golfer. Updated data is sent out once a
month by the host mainframe computer 20 to each member golf club which
will parse the data (separate imported data into separate columns so that
it appears correctly in a worksheet) into its local database.
The host mainframe computer 20 must be able to perform computations such as
computing the converted differential from which the handicap index is
calculated. The converted differential equals the adjusted score minus the
course rating multiplied by 113 divided by the slope. For example, at a
golf club where the regular men's tees have a course rating of 70.1 and a
slope of 121, and if a score of 80 were shot, the converted differential
would equal (80-70.1).times.(113/121)=9.2. The current handicap index for
an individual golfer is calculated once a month by averaging the ten
lowest converted differentials and multiplying the average by 96 percent.
The current handicap index is stored in the electronic card 16.
The electronic card 16 is capable of storing a golfer's pertinent data and
together with the read-write controller 19 functions as the primary means
for automatically entering such data into the CPU 12. The touch-screen
monitor 14 functions to display data entered from the electronic card 16
and also functions as a secondary means for manually entering any
additional data not stored in the electronic card 16. Further, a golfer's
pertinent data that is normally stored in the electronic card 16 may also
be entered manually | | |
