Handheld golf reporting and statistical analysis apparatus and method

Claims

I claim:

1. An apparatus for recording and reporting golf information to increase a player's ability to improve from experience, the apparatus comprising:

a self-contained computer unit having a memory, a power source and a display for selectively displaying a plurality of information screens and associated data stored in the memory, the information screens including screen-dependent data input fields for the associated data;

key entry means for retrieving and selectively displaying the information screens from the memory on the display, and for retrieving, selecting, and recording the associated data with each information screen, wherein the key entry means includes first key means comprising one entry key for selectively displaying information screens, second screen-dependent field select key means for selecting a particular data input field of predefined data on a displayed screen, the second screen-dependent field select key means comprising two bi-directional tab keys for scrolling in opposite directions through the data input fields on a displayed information screen, and third screen-dependent value select key means for displaying and selectively recording or altering selected data in a selected data input field, the third screen-dependent value select key means comprising two bi-directional scroll keys for scrolling in opposite directions through the predefined data associated with the data input field on the displayed information screen.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the first key means permits changing of the information screens in sequential fashion, and the first key means further includes choice means for non-sequential selection or changing of information screens.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the choice means is screen-dependent to provide a customized set of screen-changing options for a displayed information screen.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the information screens stored in the memory comprise one or more pre-game parameter recording information screens, one or more game-interactive recording information screens; and one or more post-game statistic report information screens.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the information screens further include one or more game-interactive fact report information screens.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the information screens further include one or more game-interactive golf advice information screens.

7. A method for recording and reporting golf information to increase a player's ability to improve from experience, comprising the following steps:

storing a plurality of pre-game, game-interactive and post-game information screens in a memory of a computer unit having a display for selectively displaying one or more of the information screens;

entering a pre-game mode in which one or more pre-game information screens are displayed in sequential fashion to prompt entry of data defining parameters of an upcoming game, and in which a choice is provided among a plurality of game-interactive information screens for subsequently recording data during the upcoming game defined by the parameters entered in the pre-game mode, wherein the number of pre-game information screens displayed in sequential fashion in the pre-game mode is determined by which of the game-interactive information screens is chosen;

entering the game-interactive mode to display the chosen game-interactive information screen;

entering data in the chosen game-interactive information screen corresponding to the game as the game is played, and simultaneously recording entered data in the memory of the computer unit; and

providing post-game reports based on the data entered in the chosen game-interactive information screen.

8. A method for recording and reporting golf information to increase a player's ability to improve from experience, comprising the following steps:

storing a plurality of pre-game, game-interactive and post-game information screens in a memory of a computer unit having a display for selectively displaying one or more of the information screens, the information screens including screen-dependent data input fields for entry of data;

displaying in sequential fashion one or more pre-game information screens and prompting entry of data which defines parameters of an upcoming game;

providing a choice among a plurality of game-interactive information screens for recording data during the game defined by the parameters entered in the pre-game information screens;

displaying a chosen game-interactive information screen;

entering data in the chosen game-interactive information screen corresponding to a game as the game is played, and simultaneously recording entered data in the memory of the computer unit;

providing post-game reports based on the data entered in the game-interactive information screen; and,

providing one or more game-interactive advice/feedback information screens.

9. A method for recording and reporting golf information in a manner tending to increase a player's ability to improve from experience, comprising the following steps:

providing a computer unit with a memory, a display, and data selection entry keys;

storing a plurality of information screens of golf play information in the memory of the computer unit, the information screens including screen-dependent data input fields corresponding to the golf play information in each screen;

selectively displaying information screens on the display in a logical sequence of pre-game and game-interactive screens, the pre-game information screen prompting entry of data which defines parameters of a game to be played and a game-interactive screen on which data is recorded for the game;

selecting data input fields on a displayed information screen;

selecting from stored golf information corresponding to one or more chosen data input fields; and

storing selected golf information in the memory as statistical or factual reports for retrieval by the user after the game.

10. A method as defined in claim 9, wherein the golf information entered in the pre-game information screen comprises golf play parameters defining an upcoming game, and the golf information entered in the game-interactive information screens comprises golf play data values defining a user's actual performance within the golf play parameters of the game.

11. A method as defined in claim 10, wherein the golf play parameters are selected and entered in the pregame mode, and the golf play data values are selected and entered in the game-interactive mode.

12. A method as defined in claim 10, wherein golf information entered in the pre-game information screen further comprises extrinsic factors having an effect on a player's performance.

13. An apparatus for recording and reporting sports and game information to increase a player's ability to improve from experience, the apparatus comprising:

a self-contained computer unit having a memory, a power source and a display for selectively displaying a plurality of information screens and associated data stored in the memory, the information screens including screen-dependent data input fields for the associated data;

a plurality of pre-game, game-interactive and post-game information screens stored in the memory of the computer unit;

means for displaying a pre-game information screen and prompting entry of data which defines parameters of an upcoming game, and means for subsequently displaying a game-interactive information screen corresponding to a game-interactive mode defined by the parameters selected in the pre-game information screen;

entry key means for changing information screens in sequential fashion, the entry key means comprising one entry key:

choice key means for non-sequential selection or changing of information screens the choice key means comprising one choice key;

field select key means for choosing a particular data input field on a displayed information screen, the field select key means comprising two bi-directional keys; and

value select key means for displaying and selectively recording data in the chosen data input field the value select key means comprising two bi-directional keys.

14. A method for recording and reporting golf information to increase a player's ability to improve from experience, comprising the following steps:

storing a plurality of pre-game, game-interactive and post-game information screens in a memory of computer unit having a display for selectively displaying one or more of the information screens, the information screens including screen-dependent data input fields for entry of data;

displaying in sequential fashion one or more pre-game information screens and prompting entry of data which defines parameters of an upcoming game;

providing a choice among a plurality of game-interactive information screens for recording data during the game defined by the parameters entered in the pre-game information screens;

displaying a chosen game-interactive information screen;

entering data in a chosen game-interactive information screen corresponding to a game as the game is played, and simultaneously recording the entered data in the memory of the computer unit;

providing post-game reports based on the data entered in the game-interactive information screen; wherein,

the game-interactive information screens comprise a first information screen with a first detail level of recording, and a second information screen with a second detail level of recording.

15. A method for recording and reporting golf information to increase a player's ability to improve from experience, comprising the following steps:

storing a plurality of pre-game, game-interactive and post-game information screens in a memory of a computer unit having a display for selectively displaying one or more of the information screens, the information screens including screen-dependent data input fields for entry of data;

displaying in sequential fashion one or more pre-game information screens and prompting entry of data which defines parameters of an upcoming game;

providing a choice among a plurality of game-interactive information screens for recording data during the game defined by the parameters entered in the pre-game information screens;

displaying a chosen game-interactive information screen;

entering data in the chosen game-interactive recording screen corresponding to the game as the game is played, and simultaneously recording entered data in the memory of the computer unit; and

providing post-game reports based on the data entered in the game-interactive reporting information screen; wherein,

the pre-game information screens are provided with means for selecting non-sequential option screens.

16. A method for recording and reporting golf information to increase a player's ability to improve from experience, comprising the following steps:

storing a plurality of pre-game, game-interactive and post-game information screens in a memory of a computer unit having a display for selectively displaying one or more of the information screens, the information screens including screen-dependent data input fields for entry of data;

displaying in sequential fashion one or more pre-game information screens and prompting entry of data which defines parameters of an upcoming game;

providing a choice among a plurality of game-interactive recording information screens for recording data during the game defined by the parameters entered in the pre-game information screens;

displaying a chosen game-interactive recording information screen;

corresponding to the game as the game is played, and simultaneously recording entered data in the memory of the computer unit; and

providing post-game reports based on the data entered in the game-interactive reporting information screen; wherein,

the game-interactive information screens are provided with means for selecting non-sequential option screens.

17. A handheld portable apparatus for recording and reporting golf information to increase a player's ability to improve from experience, the apparatus comprising:

a, self-contained computer unit having a memory, a power source and a display for selectively displaying a plurality of information screens and associated data stored in the memory, the information screens including screen-dependent data input fields for the associated data;

first key entry means for sequentially displaying one or more pre-game information screens in a pre-game mode of operation, and subsequently sequentially displaying one or more game-interactive information screens in a game-interactive mode of operation, the first key entry means comprising one entry key;

second key means for selecting a particular data field on a displayed information screen, the second key means comprising two bi-directional keys;

third key means for selectively recording or altering data in a selected data field, the third key means comprising two bi-directional keys; wherein,

the pre-game information screens include means for prompting the entry of data which defines parameters of an upcoming game, and means for selecting one of a plurality of game-interactive information screens representing different levels of data-recording detail in the game-interactive mode.

18. A method for recording and reporting golf information to increase a player's ability to improve from experience, comprising the following steps:

providing a computer unit with a memory, a display and data selection entry keys;

storing a plurality of information screens of golf play information in the memory of the computer unit, the information screens including screen-dependent data input fields corresponding to the golf play information of each information screen;

providing a pre-game mode of data entry in which one or more pre-game information screens are displayed to prompt the entry of data which defines parameters of an upcoming game, and providing a choice of at least one of a plurality of game-interactive information screens in a subsequent game-interactive mode of operation representing different levels of data recording detail;

entering the game-interactive mode during the game defined in the pre-game mode, and displaying a chosen game-interactive recording information screen for entry of game data as the game is played; and

storing the recorded golf information in the memory as statistical or factual reports for retrieval by the player after the game.

19. A method for recording and reporting golf information to increase a player's ability to improve form experience, comprising the following steps:

storing a plurality of pre-game, game-interactive and post-game information screens in a memory of a computer unit having a display for selectively displaying one or more of the information screens;

displaying in sequential fashion one or more pre-game information screens and prompting entry of data which defines parameters of an upcoming game;

providing a choice among a plurality of game-interactive information screens for recording data during the game defined by the parameters entered in the pregame information screens;

displaying a chosen game-interactive information screen;

entering data in the chosen game-interactive information screen corresponding to a game as the game is played, and simultaneously recording entered data in the memory of the computer unit;

providing post-game reports based on the data entered in the game-interactive information screen; wherein,

the data entered in the one or more pre-game information screens includes extrinsic factors having an effect on a player's performance.

20. A method for recording and reporting golf information, comprising the following steps:

storing a plurality of pre-game, game-interactive and post-game information screens in a memory of a computer unit having a display for selectively displaying one or more of the information screens, the information screens including screen-dependent data input fields for the entry of data;

displaying one or more pre-game information screens and prompting selection and recording of data defining extrinsic factors having an effect on player performance;

subsequently providing a choice from among a plurality of game-interactive recording information screens for selection and recording of data while the game is played;

displaying a chosen game-interactive recording information screen;

selecting and recording data in the chosen game-interactive recording information screen corresponding to the game as the game is played; and

providing post-game report information screens based on the data entered in both the pre-game and game-interactive information screens.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of prompting selection and recording of data defining extrinsic factors further includes selection and recording of parameters of the upcoming game.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the pre-game information screens are provided with means for selecting non-sequential option screens.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the game-interactive information screens are provided with means for selecting non-sequential option screens.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the game-interactive information screens comprise a first information screen with a first level of recording, and a second information screen with a second level of reporting.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein the post-game report information screens include one or more factual and statistical reports based on a relationship between a player's performance in a game and extrinsic variables entered in the one or more pre-game information screens.

26. The method of claim 25, further including the step of providing one or more game-interactive advice/feedback screens as a game is played.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the one or more game-interactive advice/feedback screens include statistical and factual information based on the data entered in both the pre-game and game-interactive information screens.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the one or more game-interactive advice/feedback screens include at least one display which assists a player in selecting a golf club for the game as the game is played.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the at least one display assisting player selection of a golf club includes information based on a relationship between extrinsic factors and player performance.

30. A method for recording and reporting information on a game of golf using a computer unit having a memory and a display for selectively displaying one or more information screens, comprising the following steps:

displaying one or more screens for prompting selection and recording of data;

selecting one or more extrinsic factors having an effect on player performance, and recording corresponding extrinsic factor data associated with a game played;

selecting one or more player performance factors, and recording corresponding player performance data as the game is played; and,

computing and displaying statistics correlating the effect of one or more extrinsic factors for which data has been recorded on one or more player performance.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the statistics are displayed as a report on the effect of one or more extrinsic factors on player performance for assisting the player in selecting a golf club.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the statistics are displayed as a report on the effect of one or more extrinsic factors on player performance for assisting the player in understanding the effect of the extrinsic factors on player performance.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein the one or more information screens include a pre-game information screen for prompting selection and recording of extrinsic factor data.

34. The method of claim 33, further including the step of displaying a game-interactive information screen which prompts selection and recording of player performance data as the game is played.

35. The method of claim 34, further including the step of displaying a post-game information screen displaying a relationship between extrinsic factors and player performance data.

36. A method for recording and reporting information on a game of golf using a computer unit having a memory and a display for selectively displaying one or more information screens, comprising the following steps:

1) displaying one or more information screens for prompting selection and recording of data;

2) recording extrinsic factor data which has an effect on player performance and which is associated with a game played;

3) recording player performance data as the game is played; and

4) computing and displaying statistics correlating the effect of one or more extrinsic factors for which data has been recorded on recorded player performance.

37. A method for recording and reporting golf information to increase a player's ability to improve from experience, comprising the following steps:

storing pre-game, game-interactive and post-game information screens in a memory of a computer unit having a display for selectively displaying the information screens;

displaying a pre-game information screen and prompting entry of data which defines parameters of a game;

displaying a game interactive information screen for recording data during the game defined by the parameters entered in the pre-game information screen;

providing post-game reports based on the data entered in the game-interactive information screen; wherein,

extrinsic factor data is entered in the pre-game information screen to record extrinsic factors having an effect on a player's performance, and the post-game report is further based on extrinsic factor data to display the effect of extrinsic factors on the player's performance.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to an apparatus and method for reporting and recording golf information and for providing golf advice and feedback in real time, and more particularly to a handheld computer unit and method for recording and reporting golf information.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In golf, like in many games, there is substantial information which can be traced to measure a player's progress, and hopefully improvement, over a period of time. Such facts and statistics invariably include scores, as well as less commonly-organized criteria such as tendencies in certain situations to score or perform in a particular manner, preferred playing conditions, and others depending on the sport or game. Players can, and often do, try to improve themselves by studying their past performances for strengths and weaknesses.

Golf in particular, although not exclusively, lends itself to the careful study of past performance in order to improve one's game. This is in part due to the myriad number of factors which need to be taken into account to accurately gauge performance; e.g., overall score, score per hole, club accuracy and yardages under different weather and ground conditions; performance in and out of hazards; performance based on ball model number and compression rating; length of hole; hole and total course par values; course difficulty; club set used; the player's tendency to slice or hook with particular clubs; etc. Most golfers will agree that the game of golf is complicated, subtle, and best mastered through diligent practice and careful study.

To date, however, the study part of the game of golf, learning from past performances, has not been approached in a systematic, comprehensive manner. Most golfers until now have relied on intuition, memory, or rough pen and paper techniques. The shortcomings of these manual, intuitive methods have been noted by the prior art, and addressed with some primitive electronic or computerized devices for aiding the golfer in his game.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,020 to Cormier discloses an apparatus and method for determining the remaining distance to the green and for selecting an appropriate club to use for that shot. This includes a portable electronic data entry and retrieval unit connected to a mechanical or electrical counter which measures the distance a manual golf cart's wheels travel over the ground between shots. The memory in the unit stores data representing prior performance with each club in the golfer's set, and the yardage along a golf course. It includes an angle measuring device for shots which do not travel straight toward the hole. Using trigonometric algorithms stored in the unit's memory, the device counts off the distance traveled by the cart between each shot and determines the remaining distance to the green. The golfer can enter the club used and approximate distance for each shot in order to update the performance data stored in the memory. In response to an operator query, the unit will list one or more club performance values to help the golfer select a club for the next shot.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,142,236 to Martz et al discloses an electronic golf scorecard which has a memory to store golf course data and player scores for one or more players. The unit displays individual score subtotals or totals for each golfer whose strokes are recorded during the game.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,266,214 to Peters, Jr. discloses an electronic game scoring device, for example for use with golf, in a small, portable hand-held housing. As applied to the game of golf, it envisions use of a prerecorded magnetic card containing data about a particular course to be read into the unit's memory before a game.

The above prior art devices, while useful, are limited in the scope of their functions, and in fact are not much more than electronic score cards or, in the case of U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,020, electronic pace counters with very limited statistical averaging functions. Their high number of keys, non-intuitive user interfaces, and small displays capable only of displaying limited amounts of information make them less than ideal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a greatly improved handheld computer unit for recording and reporting sports information, for example golf information, and a method for entering and retrieving data. The flexibility, function and information recording and reporting methodology of the present invention go far beyond the limitations of the prior art.

In its most basic form the inventive apparatus is a comfortably handheld, self-contained computer unit having a non-volatile memory, a power source, a general output display for selectively displaying a plurality of informational screens stored in the memory, and a program that determines logical screen and information sequence and processes the data entered. The unit is provided with key entry means for retrieving and selectively displaying various screens from the memory on the display, and for entering game data into each screen to be stored in the memory. The provision of a general output display, the variety of specialized screens for organization of data, and the handheld portability of the invention result in a device with nearly unlimited potential.

Because the display of the handheld unit provides pre-formatted screens in which data input fields are logically organized and displayed, the key entry means of the unit is greatly simplified. Since each screen as it appears on the display is already provided via the computer memory with a set of data fields, each with a set of values to choose from, a comprehensive and intuitive golfer interface is achieved with only a first key set for selectively choosing screens to be displayed; a second tab key set for selectively choosing a particular data field on the displayed screen; and, a third scroll key set for entering or altering data in that particular field. In effect, the golfer has only three types or sets of keys to operate for full control of the unit's recording and reporting methodology.

In yet a further embodiment, the first key entry set includes two keys, one a sequential screen-changing key which, with each press, causes the computer to display the next logical screen of a series of screens. For example, when the unit is first turned on, a game setup screen appears. When the golfer has completed entry of all appropriate data input fields on that screen, pressing this sequential selection key takes the golfer to the next logical screen in the progression, for example a course data screen. At the same time, the data in the previously completed screen is stored in the computer memory for later retrieval and display. In this manner the player can cycle through a series of screens in a logical predetermined order for efficient data entry both before, during and after the golf game. In a preferred form, the user may specify the amount of data he wishes to record and subsequently report on by initially selecting one of a plurality of game recording modes. In turn, this selection will define the order of display of subsequent pre-game and game-interactive screens. Generally speaking, the greater the amount of detail and statistical information required by a user, the more information (and thus screens) he must enter during golf play.

Since information is recorded only once, during the course of play while still fresh in the mind of the player, the information is more likely to be accurate. Moreover, the information need not be re-recorded after the game as may be necessary with less portable, less comprehensive devices.

The second screen-changing key is non-sequential in operation and allows the golfer to break out of the predetermined sequence of screens controlled by the sequential entry key as needed. In a preferred form the operation of this non-sequential screen-changing key is screen-dependent, in that the available choices of alternate screens will vary to logically complement the currently-displayed screen.

Because a general output display is used, all available screens are pre-formatted or "customized" to perform a particular recording or reporting function. The flexibility or number of specific reporting/recording functions is accordingly nearly unlimited; however, the method for inputting data on each different screen is generally the same, facilitating ease of use.

As each screen is displayed it contains one or more data input fields, each with an associated plurality or range of data values which may be scrolled through and selected. For example, on a scorecard screen the field for a golfer's score contains a set of values from 0 to, e.g., 16. When the hole is finished the golfer can scroll through the values in that field and select the number corresponding to his score for that hole.

The method for tabbing from field to field on a particular screen requires only two tab keys, tab forward and tab back to permit the golfer to tab through each field on the screen from beginning to end as the game demands. Likewise, only two scroll keys are necessary for selecting values for a chosen field, permitting the golfer to scroll up or down the range of values provided by the program. When the correct value is chosen, the player simply tabs to the next field.

The above-described handheld apparatus and method of its operation results in a clear, easy to use system. Relative to the handheld apparatus and method of physical operation, the screen display and sequencing methodology both complements the handheld unit and greatly increases its flexibility and usefulness.

The memory of the handheld unit is provided with a number of pre-game, game-interactive and post-game screens, each screen designed to fit on the generally-writable display of the handheld unit to comprehensively address a particular facet of the game. The computer unit is programmed to provide these in an orderly sequence which aids the golfer in preparing for, playing and reviewing a game of golf.

When the unit is first turned on, the player selects a game recording or statistical reporting mode or module. All information recorded for a particular game in the game recording mode is stored in the memory during the game, for subsequent statistical reporting via the statistical reporting module. Statistical reporting is done automatically based upon earlier entered data, and requires no calculation or additional operation of the unit or entry of data by the player other than what was done in the game recording module. Furthermore, select statistical reports are available during course play to assist the user in selecting clubs. In one embodiment of the present invention, for example, club-selection assistance reports are provided which are based on an evaluation of the relationship between current game performance and extrinsic factors affecting play, such as weather, temperature, time of day, ball model/compression data, and similar relevant data.

When the unit is turned on and the game recording module selected, one or more pre-game screens sequentially appear in logical order to request selection or definition of pre-game parameters such as the names of the players, information on the golf course to be played, the clubs being used, and the level of detail to be recorded by the golfer.

When the pre-game screens have been filled in, the unit next displays one or more game-interactive screens corresponding to one of several game-interactive reporting modes, either chosen by default or by the golfer during the pre-game mode. In a particular embodiment of the invention the game-interactive reporting modes include a simple one screen "scorecard" mode, an "easy track" mode providing additional detail, and a "detail track" mode in which the screen(s) is set up for recording a most-detailed set of data.

In a preferred embodiment control is initially passed to the scorecard screen after the pre-game screens have been updated, regardless of the game-interactive mode selected. Each game-interactive mode therefore consists of at least the scorecard screen and possibly one or more additional screens, depending on the mode selected.

While the illustrated embodiment describes three game-interactive modes, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the number is dependent on the desire of the programmer or the sport for which the unit is adapted.

Depending on the game-interactive reporting mode selected by the player, additional pre-game screens requesting further setup data may be displayed and the information carried over into the game-interactive screen(s). Where the chosen level of recording detail is high, for example, the golfer will be prompted to enter data relating to a variety of extrinsic factors having an effect on a golf game, such as weather conditions, temperature, wind, golf ball compression data, and the like.

Player performance is impacted by both the player's skill and the extrinsic factors that may interfere with or enhance a player's shots during the course of a game. Player performance includes such tracked statistics as average distance per golf club, number of putts per hole, overall score and the like. Extrinsic factors include environmental dimensions, for example temperature, ground conditions, date and time, golf ball compression and golf ball model number, to name a few. While player's skill most directly impacts game performance, extrinsic factors have an effect on player performance to the extent that they interfere with or compliment player's skill; for example, experienced players understand that shot distance with a given club will commonly vary given different extrinsic factors such as weather and temperature, ground conditions, golf ball compression and model number, or even the time of day.

Player performance and extrinsic factor data is stored in the apparatus of the present invention in such a manner as to preserve relationships between player performance data and extrinsic factor data to provide a subsequent report to the player.

Accordingly, and a further aspect of the invention and apparatus and method are provided for recording and reporting player performance, selected extrinsic factors tending to affect player performance, and the relationship of extrinsic factors on player performance. In a further embodiment of the invention an apparatus and method are provided to assist a player in selecting clubs during game play in view of the relationship between extrinsic factors and player performance. Prior to game play, for example, information is provided to allow a player to make informed performance-effec