Method and system for golf cart control

• US 7,480,569 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2007
• Issued: 01/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Club Car Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Uplink Corporation (Ingersoll Rand, Inc.)
• Inventors: Mullinix, David J., Wehrlen, David J., Hill, Joseph M. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Camby; Richard M.
• Application Number:
  US11/758,702
• Publication Number:
  US 20070233339A1
• Time in Patent Office: 594 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/23, 701/24, 701/25, 701/26, 701201-213, 342/357.01, 342/357.08
• US Class Current: 701/213
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0274 using mapping information stored in a memory device navigation using map-matching G01C21/30
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0278 using satellite positioning signals, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0282 generated in a local control room
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0291 Fleet control monitoring fleets in traffic control systems for road vehicles G08G1/127, G08G1/127
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0297 by controlling means in a control room

Abstract

Golf cart movements at a golf course are controlled by a limited access controller that compares a golf cart'"'"'s GPS-determined position against a limited access map to restrict performance of inputs by the golf cart'"'"'s driver to the golf cart'"'"'s motor under predetermined conditions, such as if a golf cart enters or has a predetermined likelihood of entering a limited access area. The limited access controller inhibits motor responses, such as by preventing motor operation, limiting available motor speeds, or allowing motor operation only in a vector that removes the golf cart from the limited access area, such as operation in reverse. Golf carts of a golf course communicate with a base station that updates the limited access map by defining limited access area perimeters and allowable actions within a limited access area and that directly commands allowable motor operations. For example, golf carts are prohibited from entering green areas, are restricted to golf cart paths during cart-path-only periods, and are restricted to reduced speeds in driving hazard areas.

Claims

1. A system for control of a golf cart on a golf course, the golf cart having a motor for moving the golf cart, the system comprising:

a GPS receiver operable to determine the golf cart position on the golf course;

a map defining restrictions associated with predetermined areas of the golf course; and

a controller interfaced with the GPS receiver and the map, the controller operable to apply predetermined control over the motor if the golf cart has a predetermined position relative to the predetermined areas of the golf course.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the predetermined control comprises an override of a driver input to the motor.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the predetermined control comprises an override of a driver input to the motor that moves the golf cart into the predetermined area.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a driver interface unit operable to present the map to a driver of the golf cart, the driver interface unit further operable to present a message to the driver if the controller applies a predetermined control over the motor.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the driver interface unit is further operable to send notice to golf course personnel of application of a predetermined control over the motor.

6. A method for controlling golf cart movement on a golf course, the method comprising:

monitoring the golf cart position on the golf course;

comparing the golf cart position with predetermined areas of the golf course;

determining a golf cart position having a predetermined relationship with a predetermined area; and

restricting operation of a motor of the golf cart in response to the predetermined relationship.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

presenting at the golf cart a notice of the restricting operation.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein determining a golf cart position further comprises:

determining that a golf cart GPS position is within a predetermined distance of the predetermined area.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein restricting operation of a motor further comprises reducing power available to the golf cart motor.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein restricting operation of a motor further comprises:

disabling golf cart movement towards the predetermined area;

determining that the golf cart has moved a predetermined distance from the predetermined area; and

ending the restricting operation of a motor.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein disabling golf cart movement towards the predetermined area further comprises disabling golf cart movement except in a reverse direction.

12. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

displaying an emergency override;

selecting the emergency override; and

ending the restricting operation of a motor.

13. A system for control of plural golf carts on a golf course, the system comprising:

a position determining device associated with each golf cart and operable to determine a position of an associated golf cart;

a map defining limited access areas;

a controller associated with each golf cart and interfaced with the position determining device and map, the controller operable to limit the performance of driver commands to move an associated golf cart based at least in part on a position of the associated golf cart relative to a limited access area.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein a limited access area comprises a perimeter and wherein the controller limits the performance of driver commands based at least in part on a golf cart position proximate the perimeter.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the perimeter is associated with a golf course green and wherein the controller limits performance of driver commands to move the golf cart onto the green.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein the perimeter is associated with a golf course driving hazard and wherein the controller limits performance of driver commands to move the golf cart at a speed that exceeds a predetermined maximum speed.

17. The system of claim 13 further comprising the driver interface unit associated with each golf cart and operable to communicate an alarm to a base station of a controller limiting the performance of a driver command.

18. The system of claim 17 further comprising a base station operable to communicate to the driver interface unit an authorization to perform the driver command limited by the controller.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the authorization is associated with payment of a green fee for playing the golf course.

20. The system of claim 13 wherein limiting the performance of driver commands further comprises restricting golf carts to golf cart paths.