Golf pin distance measuring system

• US 6,029,121 A
• Filed: 08/22/1997
• Issued: 02/22/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stephen O. Stashko
• Original Assignee: Stephen O. Stashko
• Inventors: Stashko, Stephen O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoff, Mark S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bui, Bryan
• Application Number:
  US08/916,549
• Time in Patent Office: 914 Days
• Field of Search: 702/158, 702/159, 342/357, 342/463, 342/300, 701/207, 701/213-214, 701/215
• US Class Current: 702/158
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/14 Geo-tagging, e.g. for correlating route or track location data with specific information related to that specific location
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 57/00 Golfing accessories
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/18 Military applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0063 of measured values, i.e. measurement on base station and position calculation on mobile

Abstract

A distance measuring system for use on a golf course is provided that utilizes a portable unit for use by each golfer, and a single base unit. The system provides accurate position and distance information between each portable unit and various course features such as pins and greens, water traps, sand traps, and the like. The base unit and each portable unit utilize the Global Positioning System to determine their local positions. The base unit uses its known position and the known positions of the various course features, with the position from the portable unit to calculate accurate relative distances between the portable unit and the known course features. Position and distance information is communicated between the base unit and the portable units by radio link, along with other desired information. The distances and other information can be displayed at the portable unit. The other transmitted information can include messages to all or specific golfers, such as weather, wind, or emergency information, and requests from the golfers to the base unit, such as refreshment orders, emergency situations, course damage, and the like. The portable units can be hand-held and provide keypad data entry for distance and other requests, and a display.

Claims

1. A golf course distance measuring system, comprising:

a base unit located at a known location on a golf course;

a portable, hand-held unit to be carried by a user such as a golfer or course surveyor;

means located in said base unit, for receiving a plurality of first positional satellite timing signals;

means located in said base unit for entering and storing said known location of said base unit;

means located in said base unit, for calculating a plurality of numerical correction factors utilizing said first positional satellite timing signals and said known location of said base unit;

means located in said base unit, for transmitting said plurality of numerical correction factors to said hand-held unit;

means located in said hand-held unit, for receiving a plurality of second positional satellite timing signals;

means located in said hand-held unit, for transmitting and receiving radio communication signals for receiving said plurality of transmitted numerical correction factors;

means located in said hand-held unit for applying said plurality of transmitted numerical correction factors to said plurality of second positional satellite timing signals to produce an accurate position of said hand-held unit;

means located in said hand-held unit for transmitting request data wherein said request data includes said accurate position of said hand-held unit;

means located in said base unit for receiving and storing said request data;

means located in said base unit for receiving and storing a plurality of previously stored locations of various points of interest found on a golf course;

means located in said base unit for using said request data and said stored locations to calculate data representing a distance between said user and a point of interest on a golf course;

means located in said base unit for transmitting said distance data to said hand-held unit;

means located in said hand-held unit for receiving said distance data;

means located in said hand-held unit for displaying said distance data;

a microprocessor located in said hand-held unit for controlling all said means therein;

a programmable computer located in said base unit for controlling all said means therein; and

means for supplying power to said hand-held unit.

2. The system of claim 1 further including a plurality of said portable, hand-held units.

3. A golf course distance measuring system, comprising:

a base unit located at a known location on a golf course;

one or more portable, hand-held units, wherein each of said units can be carried by a user such as a golfer or course surveyor;

means located in said base unit for receiving a plurality of first positional satellite timing signals;

means located in said base unit for entering and storing said known location of said base unit;

means located in said base unit for calculating a plurality of numerical correction factors utilizing said first positional satellite timing signals and said known location of said base unit;

means located in said base unit for transmitting said plurality of numerical correction factors to said hand-held units;

means located in each of said hand-held units, for receiving a plurality of second positional satellite timing signals;

means located in each of said hand-held units for receiving said plurality of transmitted numerical correction factors;

means located in each of said hand-held units for applying said plurality of transmitted numerical correction factors to said plurality of second positional satellite timing signals to produce an accurate position of each said hand-held unit;

means located in each of said hand-held units for accepting a user input;

means located in each of said hand-held units for transmitting request data including but not limited to an identification code representing each said hand-held unit, a plurality of numerical values representing each said accurate hand-held unit position, and a request code identifying a request by a user of said hand-held unit, wherein said request data includes said accurate position of each said hand-held unit;

means located in said base unit for receiving and storing said request data;

means located in said base unit for receiving and storing a plurality of previously stored locations of various points of interest found on a golf course;

means located in said base unit for using said request data and said stored locations to calculate data representing a distance between said user and a point of interest on a golf course;

means located in said base unit for transmitting said distance data to each of said hand-held units;

means located in each of said hand-held units for receiving said distance data;

means located in each of said hand-held units for displaying said distance data;

a microprocessor located in each of said hand-held units for controlling all said means therein;

a programmable computer located in said base unit, for controlling all said means therein; and

means for supplying power to each of said hand-held units.

4. A method for measuring golf course distances comprising the steps of:

providing a base unit located at a known location on a golf course;

providing one or more portable, hand-held units, wherein one of said units can be carried by a user such as a golfer or course surveyor;

receiving a plurality of first positional satellite timing signals at said base unit;

entering and storing said known location of said base unit;

calculating a plurality of numerical correction factors utilizing said first positional satellite timing signals and said known location of said base unit;

transmitting said plurality of numerical correction factors to said hand-held units;

receiving a plurality of second positional satellite timing signals at each said hand-held unit;

receiving said plurality of transmitted numerical correction factors at each said hand-held unit;

applying said plurality of transmitted numerical correction factors to said plurality of second positional satellite timing signals received by each said hand-held unit to produce an accurate position of each said hand-held unit;

accepting a user input at each said hand-held unit;

transmitting request data to said base unit including but not limited to, an identification code representing each said hand-held unit, a plurality of numerical values representing each said accurate hand-held unit position, and a request code identifying a request by a user of said hand-held unit, wherein said request data includes said accurate position of each said hand-held unit;

receiving and storing, in said base unit, said request data;

receiving and storing, in said base unit, a plurality of previously stored locations of various points of interest found on a golf course;

using said request data and said stored locations to calculate data representing a distance between said user and a point of interest on a golf course;

transmitting said distance data to each said hand-held unit;

receiving said distance data at each said hand-held unit;

displaying said distance data at each hand-held unit;

controlling all said means within each hand-held unit via a microprocessor contained therein;

controlling all said means within said base unit via a programmable computer contained therein; and

supplying power to each of said hand-held units.