Personal dGPS golf course cartographer, navigator and internet web site with map exchange and tutor
DCFirst Claim
1. A method of storing and communicating sets of topographic information to and from information processing and viewing devices by means of an accessible electronic network, each of the sets being specific to an individual golf course, comprising the steps of:
- (a) inputting a first set of information to a first information processing and viewing device, said first set of information being data representative of a golf course topography, said first set of information including data elements relating to attributes of the golf course, said data elements including at least one location for each of said attributes in the set and said first information processing and viewing device executing course-mapper software;
(b) transmitting said first set of information from the first information processing and viewing device to the network; and
(c) accessing said first set of information through said network with a second information processing and viewing device with autonomy from any positional equipment at the golf course, said second information processing and viewing device executing course-player software.
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Abstract
A personal owned palm-held device consisting of software executed on a palm-held personal computer (PC) saddled into and connected directly to a dGPS receiver such that an individual golf player may map a golf course by traversing its attributes, displaying said map and collecting golf play data for any golf course. In addition, the ability to upload and download golf course maps to an Internet web site shall reduce the need for subsequent users to repeat the effort of mapping the same course more than once. Also, downloadable courses will facilitate the use of the palm-held PC by users that do not have a dGPS attachment. When used without a dGPS attachment, ball locations will be determined manually by estimating the ball location with reference to visual salient course attributes.
481 Citations
86 Claims
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1. A method of storing and communicating sets of topographic information to and from information processing and viewing devices by means of an accessible electronic network, each of the sets being specific to an individual golf course, comprising the steps of:
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(a) inputting a first set of information to a first information processing and viewing device, said first set of information being data representative of a golf course topography, said first set of information including data elements relating to attributes of the golf course, said data elements including at least one location for each of said attributes in the set and said first information processing and viewing device executing course-mapper software;
(b) transmitting said first set of information from the first information processing and viewing device to the network; and
(c) accessing said first set of information through said network with a second information processing and viewing device with autonomy from any positional equipment at the golf course, said second information processing and viewing device executing course-player software. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
receiving location data via an antenna connected to a position module;
connecting said position module to said first information processing and viewing device, said first information processing and viewing device being operable to execute said course-mapper software when said antenna is in a reception only mode.
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3. The method of claim 1 wherein said inputting step further comprises the steps of:
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selecting a label corresponding to one of said attributes from a set of labels corresponding to said attributes of the golf course;
receiving location data from a position module;
determining a relative accuracy of said location data;
assigning said relative accuracy to said location data;
labeling said location data with said selected label to form one of said data elements;
indicating said relative accuracy by displaying said location data with a visual signifier;
repeating said selecting and assigning steps for a plurality of attributes of the golf course to produce said first set of information; and
saving said first set of information as a map file for said golf course topography.
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4. The method of claim 1 including the additional steps of:
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(d) altering the set of information accessed from the network with said second device and with autonomy from any positional equipment at the golf course to produce a second set of information representative of the golf course topography;
(e) transmitting said second set of information to the network; and
(f) providing access to said altered set of information with autonomy from any positional equipment at the golf course.
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5. The method of claim 4 wherein the altering of the first set of information increases the accuracy of the data correspondence to the golf course attributes to produce a second set of information which is more correctly representative of the golf course than the first set.
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6. The method of claim 1 including the additional steps of:
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(d) inputting a second set of information to said second information processing and viewing device, said second set of information relating to at least one ball location as a result of playing the golf course by at least one individual;
(e) displaying said first and second sets of information on said second information processing and viewing device, wherein said ball location is displayed as a moving representation with respect to said golf course topography; and
(f) replaying said displaying step for said first and second sets of information in at least one alterable manner including an adjustable replay speed for said moving representation.
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7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of entering a user application into said second information processing and viewing device, wherein said user application includes player software suited for an application selected from the group consisting of navigation, hiking, hunting, biking, farming, and golfing, wherein said player software displays a moving representation for said application in at least one alterable manner, including an adjustable replay speed for said application'"'"'s moving representation.
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8. The method of claim 1 including the additional steps of:
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(d) storing said first set of information in a publicly accessible database, said database further storing additional sets of information representative of a plurality of golf courses; and
(e) providing access over said network to the stored sets of information in the database with autonomy from any positional equipment at said plurality of golf courses.
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9. The method of claim 8 wherein the stored sets of information accessed from the database are alterable with autonomy from any positional equipment at said plurality of golf courses.
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10. The method of claim 8 wherein said database is accessible by connection to a web site, said web site providing the information sets in a form accessible with a web browser.
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11. The method of claim 1 wherein said golf course topography includes processing and displaying difference-of-elevation information between any two points on the golf course as selected on the processing and viewing device.
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12. The method of claim 11 wherein said difference-of-elevation is interpolated from Global Positioning System data and a georeferenced elevation dataset.
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13. A system of storing and communicating sets of topographic information to and from information processing and viewing devices by means of an accessible network, each of the sets being specific to an individual golf course, comprising:
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(a) a first information processing and viewing device executing course-mapper software and receiving input of a first set of information, said first set of information being data representative of a golf course topography, said first set of information including data elements relating to attributes of the golf course, said data elements including at least one location for each attribute in the set;
(b) a central information processing site and database receiving said set of information from said first information processing and viewing device and providing access to said set over the network; and
(c) a second information processing and viewing device receiving transmission of said first set of information from the first information processing device over the network and with autonomy from any positional equipment at the golf course. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
a position module with an antenna receiving location data; and
a display module being in operable communication with said position module for receiving said location data therefrom, said display module comprising a portable hand-held personal computer and a viewer, wherein said portable computer executes said course-mapper software, determines a relative accuracy of said location data, assigns said relative accuracy to said location data, and causes said viewer to display said location data with said visual signifier to indicate said relative accuracy.
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16. The system of claim 13 including:
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(d) altering with said second device and with autonomy from any positional equipment at the golf course the set of information accessed from the network to produce a second set of information representative of the golf course topography; and
(e) transmitting said second set of information over the publicly accessible network to the central information processing site and database, said central site then selectively providing access to said altered set of information over the network with autonomy from any positional equipment at the golf course.
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17. The system of claim 16 wherein the altering of the first set of information increases the accuracy of the data correspondence to the golf course attributes to produce a second set of information which is more correctly representative of the golf course than the first set.
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18. The system of claim 13 wherein a second set of information is received and processed by said second information processing and viewing device, said second set of information relating to at least one ball location as a result of playing the golf course by at least one individual, and wherein said second information processing and viewing device displays said ball location as a moving representation with respect to a display of said golf course topography, and wherein said second information processing and viewing device replays said ball location in at least one alterable manner including an adjustable replay speed for said moving representation.
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19. The system of claim 13 wherein a user application is entered into said second information processing and viewing device, said user application including player software suited for an application selected from the group consisting of navigation, hiking, hunting, biking, farming, and golfing, wherein said player software displays a moving representation for said application in at least one alterable manner, including an adjustable replay speed for said application'"'"'s moving representation.
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20. The system of claim 13 wherein said central site and database further contain additional sets of information representative of a plurality of golf courses;
- and provides access over said network to the additional sets of golf courses information in the database with autonomy from any positional equipment at said plurality of golf courses.
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21. The system of claim 20 wherein the stored sets of information accessed from the database are alterable with autonomy from any positional equipment at said plurality of golf courses.
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22. The system of claim 20 wherein said database is accessible by connection to a web site, said web site providing the information sets in a form accessible with a web browser.
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23. The system of claim 13 wherein said golf course topography includes processing and displaying difference-of-elevation information between any two points on the golf course as selected on the processing and viewing device.
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24. The system of claim 23 wherein said difference-of-elevation is interpolated from Global Positioning System data and a georeferenced elevation dataset.
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25. A portable information processing and viewing device for storing and communicating topographic information comprising:
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a portable information processing and viewing device, said device having an information processor for the storage, retrieval and processing of a map data file including position information, said device also having a viewer for the display of said position information, said device further having data inputs, said data inputs including at least one of a user interface and direct electrical connections;
said position information including location data and a corresponding data label relating to at least one topographic characteristic of at least one selected geographic region, said map data file also including relative accuracy data corresponding with said location data, said characteristic being represented on said viewer by visual signifiers, said visual signifiers including at least a representation of an attribute and an indication of a position of said topographic characteristic, wherein said indication of said position by said visual signifiers further includes an indication by said visual signifiers of said relative accuracy data corresponding with said location data; and
said direct electrical connections adapted for connection with at least one cooperative device for enabling said information processing and viewing device to perform an operation of at least one of generating, accessing, storing and communicating of said map data file, wherein said cooperative device further enables said information processing and viewing device to autonomously process and display said position information. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
wherein said detachable position module and said map data file are transferable to a second information processing and viewing device for enabling said second information processing and viewing device to access said map data file, and wherein said second information processing and viewing device receives, processes and displays additional location data relating to said geographic region, said additional location data for said geographic region being displayed as a moving representation with respect to a display of said map data file for said geographic region, wherein said second information processing and viewing device replays said moving representation in at least one alterable manner, including an adjustable replay speed for said moving representation.
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32. The information processing and viewing device according to claim 25 wherein said cooperative device is a data link.
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33. The information processing and viewing device according to claim 32 wherein said data link is a connection to a personal computer for the communication of data between said information processing and viewing device and said computer.
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34. The information processing and viewing device according to claim 32 wherein said data link is a connection to a network for the communication of data between said information processing and viewing device and said network.
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35. The information processing and viewing device according to claim 34 wherein said network is a private access network.
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36. The information processing and viewing device according to claim 34 wherein said network is a publicly accessible network such as the Internet.
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37. The information processing and viewing device according to claim 34 wherein said network provides said information processing and viewing device access to an additional map data file.
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38. The information processing and viewing device according to claim 34 wherein said network provides said information processing and viewing device storage of said map data file.
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39. The information processing and viewing device according to claim 34 wherein said network provides said information processing and viewing device access to an archived map data file, said archived map data file being modifiable by said information processing and viewing device following access;
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said network further providing said information processing and viewing device storage of said modified archived map data file.
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40. The information processing and viewing device according to claim 25 wherein said position information relates to a plurality of attributes of a golf course and is modifiable by said information processing and viewing device, wherein said information processing and viewing device retrieves said map data file autonomously from any positional equipment at said golf course and generates a round data file autonomously from any positional equipment at said golf course, said round data file including ball location data.
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41. The information processing and viewing device according to claim 40 wherein said position information is modified with said user interface to increase said relative accuracy data of said modified position information.
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42. The information processing and viewing device according to claim 40 wherein said modified position information and said round data file are storable in the information processing and viewing device.
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43. The information processing and viewing device according to claim 40 wherein said modified position information and round data file are communicable with a data link cooperative device over a network.
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44. A portable information processing and viewing device for storing and communicating topographic information comprising:
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a portable information processing and viewing device, said device having an information processor for the storage, retrieval and processing of data which encodes information, said device also having a viewer for the display of information encoded in the data, said device further having data inputs, said data inputs including at least one of a user interface and direct electrical connections;
said information, encoded in the data, includes information relating to at least one topographic characteristic of at least one selected geographic region, said topographic characteristic being represented on said viewer by visual signifiers, said visual signifiers including at least a representation of an attribute and an indication of a position of said topographic characteristic;
said direct electrical connections adapted for connection with at least one cooperative device for enabling said information processing and viewing device to perform an operation of at least one of generating, accessing, storing and communicating of said data, wherein said cooperative device further enables said information processing and viewing device to autonomously process and display said information relating to topographic characteristics;
wherein said geographic region includes a golf course, said golf course represented on said viewer by at least a partial display of a selected hole of said golf course; and
wherein additional information relating to playing said golf course is displayed as a moving representation with respect to said partial display of said golf course, said moving representation being displayable in alterable manners, said alterable manners including the rate of progression of said representation. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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54. A portable information processing and viewing device for storing and communicating topographic information comprising:
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a portable information processing and viewing device, said device having an information processor for the storage, retrieval and processing of a data set, said device also having a viewer for the display of said data set, said device further having a user interface and direct electrical connections;
said data set comprising at least one corresponding set of location information, a data label and relative accuracy data, said location information and said data label relating to at least one topographic characteristic of at least one selected geographic region and said relative accuracy data relating to a quality value for said corresponding location information, said geographic regions including at least one golf course, said characteristic being represented on said viewer by visual signifiers, said visual signifiers including at least a representation of an attribute and an indication of a position of said topographic characteristic, wherein said indication of said position by said visual signifiers includes an indication of said relative accuracy of said location information, and wherein said location information is comprised of latitude and longitude for said position of said topographic characteristic and said data label is comprised of a label for said attribute of said topographic characteristic, said label being selected from a set of labels corresponding with a set of attributes for said geographic region;
said direct electrical connections adapted for connection with at least one cooperative device for enabling said information processing and viewing device to perform an operation of at least one of generating, accessing, storing and communicating of said data set, said cooperative device further enabling said information processing and viewing device to autonomously process and display said information relating to topographic characteristics;
wherein said cooperative device is a detachable position module generating said location information, said user interface receives said selected label, and said processor assigns said relative accuracy data to said location data, and said information processor calculates said quality value and assigns said relative accuracy data to said corresponding location information, wherein said detachable position module has an antenna for receiving position related information and wherein said information processing and viewing device is operable to at least store, retrieve and process said data set with said antenna in a reception only mode; and
wherein said detachable position module and said data set are transferable to a second information processing and viewing device, and wherein said second information processing and viewing device receives, processes and displays additional location information relating to playing said golf course, said additional location information for playing said golf course being displayed as a moving representation with respect to a display of said data set for said golf course, wherein said second information processing and viewing device replays said moving representation in at least one alterable manner, including an adjustable replay speed for said moving representation.
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55. A portable information processing and viewing device for storing and communicating topographic information comprising:
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a portable information processing and viewing device, said device having an information processor for the storage, retrieval and processing of data which encodes information, said device also having a viewer for the display of information encoded in the data, said device further having data inputs, said data inputs including at least one of a user interface and direct electrical connections;
said information, encoded in the data, relating to at least one topographic characteristic of at least one selected geographic region, said geographic regions including at least one golf course, said characteristic being represented on said viewer by visual signifiers, said visual signifiers including at least a representation of an attribute and an indication of a position of said topographic characteristic;
said direct electrical connections adapted for connection with at least one cooperative device for enabling said information processing and viewing device to perform an operation of at least one of accessing, storing and communicating of said data, said cooperative device further enabling said information processing and viewing device to autonomously process and display said information relating to topographic characteristics;
wherein at least one of said cooperative devices is a position module having an antenna for receiving position related information and wherein said information processing and viewing device is fully operable with said antenna in a reception only mode. - View Dependent Claims (56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70)
wherein said information relating to locations includes information relating to a relative height of said location and a means to display the same to the user;
a second cooperative device is a means for accessing a stored set of information relating to locations on said golf course, wherein said second cooperating device utilizes said Global Positioning Satellite and said differential correction information to increase a degree of accuracy of said stored set of information; and
wherein said increase in the degree of accuracy of said stored set of information includes an increase in the degree of accuracy of a relative height of said location.
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66. The information processing and viewing device according to claim 65 wherein the relative height of said location displayed to the user changes dynamically with respect to a target location selected as the information processing and viewing device receive input from the user.
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67. The information processing and viewing device according to claim 66 wherein the user input is transmitted by a stylus dragged across a displayed map.
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68. The information processing and viewing device according to claim 55 wherein said antenna is detachable for flexible placement.
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69. The information processing and viewing device according to claim 68 wherein said antenna is flexibly placeable for improved reception.
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70. The information processing and viewing device according to claim 55 wherein said antenna is flexibly placeable for greater accuracy of position determination by closer placement of said antenna to a location for which position is to be determined.
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71. A method of storing and displaying sets of topographic information, comprising the steps of:
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(a) inputting a first set of information to a portable information processing and viewing device, said first set of information being data representative of a topography, said first set of information including data elements relating to attributes of said topography, said data elements including at least one location for each of said attributes;
(b) inputting a second set of information to said portable information processing and viewing device, said second set of information relating to location data for traversing said topography;
(c) displaying said first and second sets of information on said portable information processing and viewing device, wherein said location data for traversing said topography is displayed as a moving representation with respect to said topography; and
(d) replaying said displaying step for said first and second sets of information in at least one alterable manner including an adjustable replay speed for said moving representation. - View Dependent Claims (72, 73)
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74. A method of storing and displaying sets of topographic information, each of the sets being specific to an individual golf course, comprising the steps of:
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(a) inputting a first set of information to a portable information processing and viewing device, said first set of information being data representative of a golf course topography, said first set of information including data elements relating to attributes of the golf course, said data elements including at least one location for each of said golf course attributes;
(b) inputting a second set of information to said portable information processing and viewing device, said second set of information relating to at least one ball location as a result of playing the golf course by at least one individual;
(c) displaying said first and second sets of information on said portable information processing and viewing device, wherein said ball location is displayed as a moving representation with respect to said golf course topography; and
(d) replaying said displaying step for said first and second sets of information in at least one alterable manner including an adjustable replay speed for said moving representation. - View Dependent Claims (75, 76, 77, 78)
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79. A system of storing and communicating sets of topographic information to and from information processing and viewing devices by means of an accessible network, comprising:
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(a) a first information processing and viewing device receiving input of a first set of information, said first set of information being data representative of a topography, said first set of information including data elements relating to attributes of said topography, said data elements including at least one location for each attribute in the set;
(b) a second set of information relating to location data for traversing said topography;
(c) a central information processing site and database receiving said first and second sets of information from said first information processing and viewing device and providing access to said sets over the network; and
(d) a second information processing and viewing device receiving transmission of said first and second sets of information, displaying said location data for traversing said topography as a moving representation with respect to said topography, and replaying said moving representation in at least one alterable manner including an adjustable replay speed for said moving representation. - View Dependent Claims (80, 81)
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82. A system of storing and communicating sets of topographic information to and from information processing and viewing devices by means of an accessible network, each of the sets being specific to an individual golf course, comprising:
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(a) a first information processing and viewing device receiving input of a first set of information, said first set of information being data representative of a golf course topography, said first set of information including data elements relating to attributes of the golf course, said data elements including at least one location for each attribute in the set;
(b) a second set of information relating to at least one ball location as a result of playing the golf course by at least one individual;
(c) a central information processing site and database receiving said first and second sets of information from said first information processing and viewing device and providing access to said sets over the network; and
(d) a second information processing and viewing device receiving transmission of said first and second sets of information, displaying the playing of the golf course as a moving representation with respect to said golf course topography, and replaying said moving representation in at least one alterable manner including an adjustable replay speed for said moving representation. - View Dependent Claims (83, 84, 85, 86)
a position module with an antenna receiving location data; and
a display module being in operable communication with said position module for receiving said first set of information, said display module comprising a portable hand-held personal computer and a viewer, wherein said portable computer determines a relative accuracy of each said location in said data elements, assigns said relative accuracy to said location data, and causes said viewer to display said location with said visual signifier to indicate said relative accuracy.
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86. The system of claim 82 wherein said first information processing and viewing device comprises a position module with an antenna, said information processing and viewing device generating at least one of said first and second sets of information with said antenna in a reception only mode.
Specification