Method and apparatus for managing golf related information obtained in part by using impulse radio technology

• US 6,705,942 B1
• Filed: 07/19/2000
• Issued: 03/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Golf-Domain.com LLC
• Original Assignee: Golf-Domain.com LLC
• Inventors: Kelly, Donald A., Crook, Dale W., Fullerton, Larry W.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KIM T
• Application Number:
  US09/619,295
• Time in Patent Office: 1,336 Days
• Field of Search: 463/3, 463/40-42, 473/131, 473/405-407, 473/409, 473/150, 342/21, 342/118, 342/125, 342/127-135, 342/450, 342/458, 342/463, 375/130, 375/135-136, 375/259-260, 375/353
• US Class Current: 463/3
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0012 Comparing movements or motion sequences with a registered reference
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0025 Tracking the path or location of one or more users, e.g. players of a game
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0028 Tracking the path of an object, e.g. a ball inside a soccer pitch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0056 for statistical or strategic analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0627 when used improperly, e.g. by giving a warning
• 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 2220/12 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 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/78 Surface covering conditions, e.g. of a road surface
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0003 Analysing the course of a movement or motion sequences during an exercise or trainings sequence, e.g. swing for golf or tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0006 Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 55/61 motorised
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 57/505 Hole information stands, e.g. tee-boxes
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0619 Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0669 : Score-keepers or score display devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/6908 : using time hopping

Abstract

An apparatus, system and method are provided that can overcome the shortcomings of traditional golf course positioning systems by utilizing impulse radio technology to obtain golf related information that can be used by one or more users. For instance, golfers may use the golf related information to help them make informed decisions while playing golf on the golf course. And, golf trainers can use the golf related information associated with a particular golfer to help that golfer improve their game. In addition, golf course personnel can use the golf related information to help manage and increase the profitability of the golf course. Moreover, golf businesses can use the golf related information to help them verify the accuracy of advertising claims made by their competitors. These are just some of the uses and advantages of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for managing golf related information, said method comprising the steps of:

obtaining some of the golf related information using impulse radio technology; and

providing at least a portion of the golf related information to golf course personnel, where said step of providing further includes the step of;

providing the golf course personnel with information about a position of a golfer located on a golf course, wherein the position of the golfer is determined from the interaction between an ultra wideband impulse radio unit associated with the golfer and at least two beacon ultra wideband impulse radio units distributed at known locations throughout the golf course.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of providing at least a portion of the golf related information to the golf course personnel includes the step of enabling the golf course personnel to accelerate rate of play at the golf course by knowing the position of the golfer and communicating with the golfer, wherein the golf course personnel can use another ultra wideband impulse radio unit to establish communications with the golfer using the ultra wideband impulse radio unit, wherein the ultra wideband impulse radio unit is used to determine the position of the golfer and is also used to establish communications between the golf course personnel and the golfer.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of providing at least a portion of the golf related information to the golf course personnel includes the step of enabling the golf course personnel to enhance marketing of goods to the golfer.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of providing at least a portion of the golf related information to the golf course personnel includes the step of enabling the golf course personnel to enhance mapping and maintenance activities.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of providing at least a portion of the golf related information to the golf course personnel includes the step of enabling the golf course personnel to calculate a distance the golfer hits a golf ball with a particular golf club.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of providing at least a portion of the golf related information to the golf course personnel includes the step of enabling the golf course personnel to monitor soil conditions.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the monitored soil conditions are communicated to a central location.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of providing at least a portion of the golf related information to the golf course personnel includes the step of determining and indicating a position where an employee is currently located on the golf course, wherein the position of the employee is determined from the interaction between an ultra wideband impulse radio unit associated with the employee and at least two beacon ultra wideband impulse radio units distributed at known locations throughout the golf course.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of providing at least a portion of the golf related information to the golf course personnel includes the step of determining and indicating a position where a piece of equipment is currently located on the golf course wherein the position of the piece of equipment is determined from the interaction between an ultra wideband impulse radio unit associated with the piece of equipment and at least two beacon ultra wideband impulse radio units distributed at known locations throughout the golf course.

10. A method for managing a golf course, said method comprising the steps of:

obtaining golf related information using impulse radio technology; and

using the golf related information to increase the profitability of the golf course by monitoring a position where a golfer is currently located on the golf course, wherein the position of the golfer is determined from the interaction between an ultra wideband impulse radio unit associated with the golfer and at least two beacon ultra wideband impulse radio units distributed at known locations throughout the golf course.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said step of using the golf related information to increase the profitability of the golf course includes, the step of monitoring where an employee is currently located on the golf course, wherein the position of the employee is determined from the interaction between an ultra wideband impulse radio unit associated with the employee and at least two beacon ultra wideband impulse radio units distributed at known locations throughout the golf course.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said step of using the golf related information to increase the profitability of the golf course includes the step of monitoring where a piece of equipment is currently located on the golf course, wherein the position of the piece of equipment is determined from the interaction between an ultra wideband impulse radio unit associated with the piece of equipment and at least two beacon ultra wideband impulse radio units distributed at known locations throughout the golf course.

13. A method for generating revenue from at least one source, said method comprising the steps of:

obtaining golf related information using impulse radio technology;

providing a golfer with a unit capable of calculating additional golf related information using the obtained golf related information and further capable of displaying the calculated additional golf related information to the golfer, wherein the calculated additional golf related information includes a distance that a golf ball is located from a golf pin where the distance that the golf ball is located from the golf pin is calculated by;

determining a position of the golfer located near the golf ball from the interaction between an ultra wideband impulse radio unit associated with the golfer and at least two beacon ultra wideband impulse radio units distributed at known locations throughout the golf course; and

calculating a distance between the determined position of the golfer and a known position of the golf pin; and

enabling golf course personnel to enhance marketing of goods to the golfer by communicating with the golfer, wherein the golf course personnel can use another ultra wideband impulse radio unit to establish communications with the golfer using the ultra wideband impulse radio unit, wherein the ultra wideband impulse radio unit is used to determine the position of the golfer and is also used to establish communications between the golf course personnel and the golfer.

14. A method for increasing the profitability of a golf course, said method comprising the step of:

providing a golfer with a unit capable of using impulse radio technology to aid in determining a distance that a golf ball is located from a golf pin thus eliminating a need for the golfer to pace of a distance when playing golf on the golf course which results in speeding up the play of the golfer, wherein the distance that the golf ball is located from the golf pin is calculated by;

determining a position of the golfer located near the golf ball from the interaction between an ultra wideband impulse radio unit associated with the golfer and at least two beacon ultra wideband impulse radio units distributed at known locations throughout the golf course; and

calculating a distance between the determined position of the golfer and a known position of the golf pin.

15. A method for managing golf related information, said method comprising the steps of:

obtaining golf related information using impulse radio technology; and

providing at least a portion of the golf related information to at least one of a plurality of users, wherein the plurality of users include a golfer, a golf trainer, a golf course personnel and a golf business, wherein the golf course personnel is provided information about a position of the golfer located on a golf course, wherein the position of the golfer is determined from the interaction between an ultra wideband impulse radio unit associated with the golfer and at least two beacon ultra wideband impulse radio units distributed at known locations throughout the golf course.

16. An apparatus comprising:

a display;

an ultra wideband impulse radio unit;

a user interface; and

a controller, coupled to said display, said ultra wideband impulse radio unit and said user interface, capable of providing a golfer with at least a portion of golf related information that was obtained utilizing impulse radio technology, wherein the golfer is provided information about a position of the golfer relative to a golf pin on a golf course, wherein the position of the golfer is determined from the interaction between the ultra wideband impulse radio unit associated with the golfer and at least two beacon ultra wideband impulse radio units distributed at known locations throughout the golf course.

17. A base station comprising:

a processor capable of receiving golf related information from an apparatus that was used by a golfer, said apparatus including;

a display;

an ultra wideband impulse radio unit;

a user interface;

a controller, coupled to said display, said ultra wideband impulse radio unit and said user interface, capable of obtaining a portion of the golf related information utilizing impulse radio technology and further capable of obtaining another portion of the golf related information by interacting with the golfer; and

said controller capable of providing the golfer with information about a position of the golfer relative to a golf pin on a golf course, wherein the position of the golfer is determined from the interaction between an ultra wideband impulse radio unit associated with the golfer and at least two beacon ultra wideband impulse radio units distributed at known locations throughout the golf course; and

said processor is further capable of generating a score card illustrating at least a portion of the golf related information.

18. A server comprising:

a web site capable of receiving and displaying golf related information from an apparatus that was used by a golfer, said apparatus including;

a display;

an ultra wideband impulse radio unit;

a user interface;

a controller, coupled to said display, said ultra wideband impulse radio unit and said user interface, capable of obtaining a portion of the golf related information utilizing impulse radio technology and further capable of calculating another portion of the golf related information by interacting with the golfer, and

said controller capable of providing the golfer with information about a position of the golfer relative to a golf pin on a golf course, wherein the position of the golfer is determined from the interaction between an ultra wideband impulse radio unit associated with the golfer and at least two beacon ultra wideband impulse radio units distributed at known locations throughout the golf course.

19. The server of claim 18, wherein said web site is further capable of downloading at least a portion of the golf related information to a software program.

20. A system capable of managing golf related information, said system comprising:

an apparatus including;

a display;

an ultra wideband impulse radio unit;

a user interface;

a controller, coupled to said display, said ultra wideband impulse radio unit and said user interface, capable of providing a golfer with golf related information that was obtained in part by utilizing impulse radio technology; and

said controller capable of providing the golfer with information about a position of the golfer relative to a golf pin on a golf course, wherein the position of the golfer is determined from the interaction between an ultra wideband impulse radio unit associated with the golfer and at least two beacon ultra wideband impulse radio units distributed at known locations throughout the golf course; and

a base station capable of receiving golf related information from said apparatus and further capable of generating a score card illustrating at least a portion of the golf related information; and

a server including a web site capable of receiving the golf related information from said base station.

21. A method of managing golf-related information for golf course personnel, comprising:

a. obtaining, via an impulse radio signal, information associated with a golf course;

b. processing the obtained golf-related information; and

c. providing the processed golf-related information to the golf course personnel to assist at least one person of such personnel in making at least one decision respecting the golf course, wherein said at least one person is provided information about a position of a golfer located on a golf course, wherein the position of the golfer is determined from the interaction between an ultra wideband impulse radio unit associated with the golfer and at least two beacon ultra wideband impulse radio units distributed at known locations throughout the golf course.