Golf cart computer with cartridge storage

• US 5,095,430 A
• Filed: 04/17/1990
• Issued: 03/10/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Apple Electric Car Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Joseph W. Remedio
• Inventors: Bonito, Anthony P., Kallen, Craig G., Appleton, Michael R., Price, Brett E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaw, Dale M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Huntley, David
• Application Number:
  US07/511,960
• Time in Patent Office: 693 Days
• Field of Search: 273/32 R
• US Class Current: 700/92
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0691 Maps, e.g. yardage maps or electronic maps
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/18 Inclination, slope or curvature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/30 Maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 55/61 motorised
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0669 Score-keepers or score display devices

Abstract

A golf cart computer for installation in a golf cart. The computer contains a display screen for showing graphically the details and features of each hole of a golf course. It has memory for containing the graphic details of the course and for containing scores of each player. The computer has a keyboard for entering scores and players'"'"' bets and other information. In a preferred embodiment, the computer has a slot for a memory cartridge which can be transferred to a stationary printing station so that the driver of the golf cart can receive a print-out of the accumulated scores therefrom. In one version of the invention, a light pen is connected to the computer for marking selected locations on the display screen, and the computer is capable of computing and displaying distances between selected features of the golf course including the ball.

Claims

1. A computer system for use on a golf course comprising:

a) a central computer located in a substantially fixed location on said golf course and accessible to golf players about to play a game of golf or having just finished playing a game of golf on said golf course;

b) a mobile computer coupled to a golf cart, said golf cart used by a golf player while playing a game of golf on said golf course;

c) said central computer including

i) a first central processing unit for controlling functions of said central computer,

ii) a printer means for printing a golf score on a golf score card for golf players having played a game of golf on said golf course,

iii) a first interface for receiving a transferable programmable memory means in which said transferable programmable memory means is pre-programmed with a pictorial data of fairways and greens of holes of said golf course and said pictorial data is represented in vector-graphic form, and is golfer programmed with information including golf scoring and golf score data;

d) said mobile computer including

i) a second central processing unit for controlling functions of said mobile computer,

ii) a monitor for displaying data stored in said transferable programmable memory means upon request, such data including pre-programmed information concerning the nature and extent of physical characteristics of the fairway and green of each hole of said golf course,

iii) a second interface for receiving said transferable programmable memory means, and

iiii) a key pad means for programming said transferable programmable memory means with a golf scoring data and a golf score data and for requesting display on said monitor of data programmed into said transferable programmable memory means in which said golf scoring data includes a golf score handicap value of said golf player using said mobile computer and said golf score data includes the number of strokes for a hole made by said golf player playing said game of golf;

e) said mobile computer further includes means for calculating said golf score from said golf scoring data and said golf score data and for storing said golf score in said transferable programmable memory means when said transferable programmable memory means is in said second interface and

f) said central computer further includes means for reading said golf score stored in said transferable programmable memory means when said transferable programmable memory means is in said first interface and for printing said golf score on said golf card.

2. The system of claim 1 in which the mobile computer includes a light pen for marking selected locations on the monitor, and the mobile computer includes means for computing and displaying distances between selected features of the golf course including the ball.