Golf club tracking device and method

• US 6,118,376 A
• Filed: 02/01/1999
• Issued: 09/12/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mark Christian Regester
• Original Assignee: Mark Christian Regester
• Inventors: Regester, Mark Christian
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US09/241,307
• Time in Patent Office: 589 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568.6, 340/568.1, 340/573.4, 340/573.7, 340/539, 340/571, 340/572.1, 340/521, 340/522
• US Class Current: 340/568.6
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2055/402 Warning devices for indicating missing golf clubs
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/023 Power management, e.g. system sleep and wake up provisions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Abstract

A device monitors the distance between one or more golf clubs having a first transceiver attached thereto and a second transceiver which may be associated with or attached to a golf bag, a golf cart, or the clothing of a golfer. When a golf club is separated from the second transceiver by more than a predetermined threshold distance, an alarm is actuated, warning the golfer that a golf club previously removed from the bag has not been returned. The risk of loss or theft of the golf clubs is thereby substantially reduced.

Claims

1. A device for tracking a golf club during a round of golf, the device comprising:

(a) a first transceiver attached to the golf club;

(b) a second transceiver, wherein one of said first transceiver and said second transceiver monitors a first distance between said first transceiver and said second transceiver and compares the first distance to a predetermined threshold distance;

(c) a third transceiver, wherein one of said first transceiver, said second transceiver, and said third transceiver monitors a second distance between said first transceiver and said third transceiver and compares the second distance to the predetermined threshold distance; and

(d) an alarm in communication with at least one of said transceivers, wherein said alarm is actuated when both of the first distance and the second distance exceed the predetermined threshold distance.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a housing containing said second transceiver and said alarm.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising a housing containing said alarm, wherein said housing has a fastener suitable for attachment to at least one of a golf bag, a golf cart, and an article of clothing.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said first transceiver is a passive transceiver and said second transceiver is an active transceiver.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said first transceiver and said second transceiver are adapted for communication therebetween by radio frequency electromagnetic radiation.

6. The device of claim 4 wherein said first transceiver and said second transceiver are adapted for communication therebetween by microwave frequency electromagnetic radiation.

7. The device of claim 4 wherein said first transceiver and said second transceiver are adapted for communication therebetween by sound.

8. The device of claim 4 wherein said first transceiver and said second transceiver are adapted for communication therebetween by light.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein said alarm comprises an audio alarm.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein said alarm comprises a light display.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein said alarm comprises a vibration-producing device.

12. A method for preventing the loss or theft of a golf club wherein a first transceiver is attached to the golf club, a second transceiver is attached to a golf bag or a golf cart, and a third transceiver is held by or attached to the clothing of a golfer, the method comprising:

(a) monitoring (i) a first distance between the golf club and the golf bag or between the golf club and the golf cart and (ii) a second distance between the golf club and the golfer;

(b) comparing the first distance and the second distance to a predetermined threshold distance; and

(c) generating an alarm signal when both of the first distance and the second distance exceed the predetermined threshold distance.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the monitoring comprises communication between a first, passive transceiver and a second, active transceiver.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the monitoring comprises communication by radio frequency electromagnetic radiation.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the monitoring comprises communication by microwave frequency electromagnetic radiation.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the monitoring comprises communication by sound.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein the monitoring comprises communication by light.

18. The method of claim 12 further comprising, upon generating the alarm signal, activating at least one of an audible alarm, a light display, and a vibration-producing device.

19. A device for tracking a golf club during a round of golf, the device comprising:

(a) a first transceiver attached to the golf club;

(b) a second transceiver, wherein one of said first transceiver and said second transceiver (i) monitors a first distance between said first transceiver and said second transceiver when periodically activated by a remote signal-emitting device and (ii) compares the first distance to a predetermined threshold distance; and

(c) an alarm in communication with at least one of said transceivers, wherein said alarm is actuated when the first distance exceeds the predetermined threshold distance.

20. The device of claim 19 wherein said first transceiver, said second transceiver, and said remote signal-emitting device are in communication by radio frequency electromagnetic radiation.