Methods and apparatus for determining distances to selected targets on a golf course using a wireless communication device

• US 8,460,111 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2008
• Issued: 06/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Hart, John D.
• Primary Examiner(s): DEODHAR, OMKAR A
• Application Number:
  US12/142,015
• Publication Number:
  US 20090082139A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,818 Days
• Field of Search: 463/42, 473/131
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0638 Displaying moving images of recorded environment, e.g. virtual environment
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/18 Inclination, slope or curvature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/62 Time or time measurement used for time reference, time stamp, master time or clock signal
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/72 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/75 Humidity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/76 Wind conditions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• 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 57/357 for golf cups or holes, e.g. flags
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 57/40 Golf cups or holes
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0669 Score-keepers or score display devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/19 : Sporting applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 : with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1698 : the I/O peripheral being a sending/receiving arrangement to establish a cordless communication link, e.g. radio or infrared link, integrated cellular phone details of antennas disposed inside a computer H01Q1/2266

Abstract

Devices, apparatus, systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for determining distances to targets, such as targets on a golf course using a wireless communication device. Wireless device implementation allows for existing devices to be configured with the requisite application to provide for golf course distance measuring capabilities according to the present aspects. Present aspects provide for accurate and automated determination of the distance to the target, such as a transitory target like a golf cup. Current aspects may utilize communication network-based and/or satellite based systems to determine the distance to the desired target and provide for automatic position/location fixes to be performed when a target, such as a golf cup, is moved to a new location.

Claims

1. A method for determining a distance to a golf cup on a golf course, the method comprising:

receiving, at a wireless device, golf course information from a network device that stores current golf cup geographic location information;

obtaining, by the wireless device, a wireless device geographic location;

obtaining, by the wireless device, a golf cup geographic location related to one of a plurality of golf cups on the golf course from the golf course information, wherein a location determination procedure to determine the golf cup geographic location is triggered automatically based on an occurrence of an event, and wherein the golf cup geographic location determination is based, at least in part, on an asset tag maintained in proximity to the golf cup;

obtaining, by the wireless device, the distance to the golf cup based on the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location; and

presenting the distance to the golf cup on the wireless device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the event corresponds to sensing of a threshold level of motion associated with the golf cup.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the event is time-based.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the event corresponds to a remote trigger that triggers the location determination procedure remotely from the golf cup.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the remote trigger corresponds to a user input to an input mechanism on the wireless device that prompts a wireless location determination request for the asset tag maintained in proximity to the golf cup.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the golf cup geographic location and the wireless device geographic location are obtained at a substantially same point in time.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the golf cup geographic location and the wireless device geographic location are determined such that both predicted locations have a substantially equivalent degree of inaccuracy.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the golf course information includes the golf cup geographic location for the plurality of golf cups on the golf course.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the receiving golf course information further comprises automatically receiving, at the wireless device, the golf course information that includes the golf cup geographic location for the plurality of golf cups on the golf course based on recognition of the wireless device being proximate to or at the golf course.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location further comprises automatically obtaining the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location based on initiation of a golf course distance measuring application on the wireless device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location further comprises receiving a user input on a golf course distance measuring application executing on the wireless device to obtain the distance to the golf cup.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating and transmitting a golf course information request resulting in obtaining the golf cup geographic location.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location related to the one of the plurality of golf cups further comprises obtaining the golf cup geographic location by wirelessly communicating with the network device that stores current golf cup geographic location.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location further comprises executing a Global Positioning System (GPS)-based location-determination mode comprising at least one of a Mobile Station (MS)-Based mode, a Mobile Station (MS)-Assisted mode, or a Standalone mode.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location further comprises executing a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS)-based location-determination mode.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location further comprises executing a network-based location-determination mode comprising at least one of Advanced Forward Link Trilateration (AFLT) mode or Enhanced Observed Time Difference (E-OTD) mode.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the distance to the golf cup based on the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location further comprises determining, at the wireless device, the distance to the golf cup based on the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the distance to the golf cup based on the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location further comprises communicating with a wireless network device to obtain the distance to the golf cup based on the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the distance on the wireless device further comprises presenting the distance on an output mechanism chosen from the group of output mechanisms consisting of a display, a speaker and a Personal Area Network (PAN) transceiver.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining a geographic location of one or more golf course targets, wherein the golf course targets are associated with the one of the plurality of golf cups.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising generating and transmitting a golf course information request, and the receiving comprises receiving the golf course information corresponding to the golf course information request, wherein obtaining the geographic location of one or more golf course targets further comprises obtaining the geographic location of the one or more golf course targets from the golf course information.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising obtaining a target distance to the one or more golf course targets based on the wireless device geographic location and the geographic location of the one more golf course targets.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising presenting the target distance to the one or more golf course targets on the wireless device.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the distance to the golf cup on the wireless device further comprises presenting a first display that includes at least the distance to the golf cup and a golf course hole number associated with the golf cup and presenting a second display that includes at least an overview of a golf course hole layout associated with the golf cup and a target distance to one or more golf course targets.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the distance to the golf cup on the wireless device further comprises presenting a golf green presentation mode that includes a display of an overview of the golf green and the distance to the golf cup.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein presenting the golf green presentation mode further comprises presenting gradient markings on the overview of the golf green to indicate direction of green slope.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein presenting the golf green presentation mode further comprises presenting a golf cup location accuracy marking.

28. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining a distance of a previous golf shot based on obtaining and storing a previous wireless device geographic location associated with a previous golf shot and comparing the previous wireless device geographic location to a current wireless device geographic location.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising presenting the distance of the previous golf shot on the wireless device.

30. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining an elevation gradient based on the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location, and presenting the elevation gradient on the wireless device.

31. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining at least one environmental parameter associated with current environmental conditions, and presenting the at least one environmental parameter on the wireless device in conjunction with the presenting of the distance to the golf cup.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein obtaining at least one environmental parameter further comprises obtaining at least one of temperature, humidity, wind speed, and wind direction.

33. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a directional vector based on the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location, and displaying the directional vector on the wireless device along with a representation of additional target information associated with at least one of the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location.

34. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating the distance to the golf cup to a remote assistance service, and receiving a golf swing advice communication from the remote assistance service.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising obtaining at least one of an environmental parameter associated with current environmental conditions and an elevation gradient, and communicating the at least one of the environmental parameter and the elevation gradient to the remote assistance service.

36. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating a golf score to a remote database operable for maintaining a golfer index.

37. At least one processor configured for determining golf cup distance on a golf course, the at least one processor comprising:

a first module for receiving golf course information from a network device that stores current golf cup geographic location information;

a second module for obtaining a wireless device geographic location;

a third module for obtaining, from the golf course information, a golf cup geographic location related to one of a plurality of golf cups on the golf course, wherein a location determination procedure to determine the golf cup geographic location is triggered automatically based on an occurrence of an event, and wherein the golf cup geographic location determination is based, at least in part, on an asset tag maintained in proximity to the golf cup;

a fourth module for obtaining a distance to the golf cup based on the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location; and

a fifth module for presenting the distance to the golf cup on a wireless device.

38. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform operations, the instructions comprising:

at least one instruction for causing the computer to receive golf course information from a network device that stores current golf cup geographic location information;

at least one instruction for causing the computer to obtain a wireless device geographic location;

at least one instruction for causing the computer to obtain, from the golf course information, a golf cup geographic location related to one of a plurality of golf cups, wherein a location determination procedure to determine the golf cup geographic location is triggered automatically based on an occurrence of an event, and wherein the golf cup geographic location determination is based, at least in part, on an asset tag maintained in proximity to the golf cup;

at least one instruction for causing the computer to obtain a distance to the golf cup based on the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location; and

at least one instruction for causing the computer to present the distance to the golf cup on a wireless device.

39. A wireless communication device, comprising:

means for receiving golf course information from a network device that stores current golf cup geographic location information;

means for obtaining a wireless device geographic location;

means for obtaining, from the golf course information, a golf cup geographic location related to one of a plurality of golf cups, wherein a location determination procedure to determine the golf cup geographic location is triggered automatically based on an occurrence of an event, and wherein the golf cup geographic location determination is based, at least in part, on an asset tag maintained in proximity to the golf cup;

means for obtaining a distance to the golf cup based on the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location; and

means for presenting the distance to the golf cup on a wireless device.

40. A wireless device, comprising:

a computer platform including at least one processor and a memory; and

a golf course distance measuring application stored in the memory and executable by the at least one processor, the golf course distance measuring application operable to receive golf course information from a network device that stores current golf cup geographic location information, obtain a wireless device geographic location, obtain, from the golf course information, a golf cup geographic location related to one of a plurality of golf cups, to obtain a distance to the one of the plurality of golf cups based on the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location, and to present the distance to the golf cup on the wireless device,

wherein a location determination procedure to determine the golf cup geographic location is triggered automatically based on an occurrence of an event, and

wherein the golf cup geographic location determination is based, at least in part, on an asset tag maintained in proximity to a golf cup.

41. The wireless device of claim 40, wherein the event comprises sensing of a threshold level of motion associated with the golf cup.

42. The wireless device of claim 40, wherein the event is time-based.

43. The wireless device of claim 40, wherein the event comprises a remote trigger that triggers the location determination procedure remotely from the golf cup.

44. The wireless device of claim 43, wherein the remote trigger comprises a user input to an input mechanism on the wireless device that prompts a wireless location determination request for the asset tag maintained in proximity to the golf cup.

45. The wireless device of claim 43, wherein the golf cup geographic location and the wireless device geographic location are determined at a substantially same point in time.

46. The wireless device of claim 43, wherein the golf cup geographic location and the wireless device geographic location have a substantially equivalent degree of inaccuracy.

47. The wireless device of claim 40, wherein the received golf course information includes the golf cup geographic location for the plurality of golf cups on the golf course.

48. The wireless device of claim 47, wherein the golf course distance measuring application is further operable to automatically receive golf course information comprising the golf cup geographic location when the wireless device is proximate or at the golf course.

49. The wireless device of claim 40, wherein the golf course distance measuring application is further operable to automatically obtain the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location based on an initiation of the golf course distance measuring application.

50. The wireless device of claim 40, wherein the golf course distance measuring application is further operable to receive a request to obtain the distance to the golf cup prior to obtaining the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location.

51. The wireless device of claim 40, wherein the golf course distance measuring application is further operable to obtain the golf cup geographic location by wirelessly communicating with a network device that stores current golf cup geographic location.

52. The wireless device of claim 40, wherein the golf course distance measuring application is further operable to obtain the wireless device geographic location by executing a Global Positioning System (GPS)-based location-determination mode comprising at least one of a Mobile Station (MS)-Based mode, a Mobile Station (MS)-Assisted mode, or a Standalone mode.

53. The wireless device of claim 40, wherein the golf course distance measuring application is further operable to obtain the wireless device geographic location by executing a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS)-based location-determination mode.

54. The wireless device of claim 40, wherein the golf course distance measuring application is further operable to obtain the wireless device geographic location by executing a network based location-determination mode comprising at least one of Advanced Forward Link Trilateration (AFLT) mode or Enhanced-Observed Time Difference (E-OTD) mode.

55. The wireless device of claim 40, wherein the golf course distance measuring application is further operable to obtain the distance to the golf cup by determining a distance differential between the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location.

56. The wireless device of claim 40, wherein the golf course distance measuring application is further operable to obtain the distance to the golf cup by communicating with a wireless network device to obtain the distance to the golf cup.

57. The wireless device of claim 40, further comprising an output mechanism chosen from the group of output mechanisms consisting of a display, a speaker, and a Personal Area Network (PAN) transceiver, wherein the output mechanism is operable for presenting the distance to the golf cup.

58. The wireless device of claim 40, wherein the golf course distance measuring application is further operable to obtain a geographic location of one or more golf course targets, wherein the one or more golf course targets are associated with the one of the plurality of golf cups.

59. The wireless device of claim 58, wherein the memory further comprises golf course information comprising the golf cup geographic location and a respective target geographic location corresponding to the one or more golf course targets.

60. The wireless device of claim 58, wherein the golf course distance measuring application is further operable obtain a target distance to a respective one or more golf course targets based on the wireless device geographic location and a respective target geographic location of the one more golf course targets.

61. The wireless device of claim 60, wherein the golf course distance measuring application is further operable to present a respective target distance to the one or more golf course targets on the wireless device.

62. The wireless device of claim 60, further comprising a first display and a second display, wherein the golf course distance measuring application is further operable to present on the first display at least the distance to the golf cup and a golf course hole number associated with the golf cup on the first display, and wherein the golf course distance measuring application is further operable to present on the second display at least an overview of a golf course hole layout associated with the golf cup and a respective target distance to the one or more golf course targets.

63. The wireless device of claim 40, wherein the golf course distance measuring application is further operable to present a golf green presentation mode that includes a golf green representation and a distance to the golf cup.

64. The wireless device of claim 63, wherein in the golf green presentation mode, the golf course distance measuring application is further operable to present a gradient marking on the golf green representation, the gradient marking indicating direction of green slope.

65. The wireless device of claim 63, wherein in the golf green presentation mode, the golf course distance measuring application is further operable to present a golf cup location accuracy marking on the golf green presentation.

66. The wireless device of claim 40, wherein the golf course distance measuring application is further operable to obtain a distance of a previous golf shot based on obtaining and storing a previous wireless device geographic location associated with the previous golf shot and comparing the previous wireless device geographic location to a current wireless device geographic location.

67. The wireless device of claim 66, wherein the golf course distance measuring application is further operable to present the distance of the previous golf shot on the wireless device.

68. The wireless device of claim 40, wherein the golf course distance measuring application is further operable to obtain an elevation gradient based on the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic position and present the elevation gradient on the wireless device.

69. The wireless device of claim 40, wherein the golf course distance measuring application is further operable to obtain at least one environmental parameter associated with current environmental conditions and present the at least one environmental parameter on the wireless device in conjunction with presentation of the distance to the golf cup.

70. The wireless device of claim 69, wherein the at least one environmental parameter comprises at least one of temperature, humidity, wind speed, and wind direction.

71. The wireless device of claim 40, wherein the golf course distance measuring application is further operable to determine a directional vector based on the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location and display the directional vector along with additional target information associated with at least one of the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location.

72. The wireless device of claim 40, further comprising a remote golf assistance application stored in the memory and executable by one or more processors, wherein the remote golf assistance application is operable to communicate the distance to the golf cup to a remote assistance service and receive a golf swing advice communication from the remote assistance service in response to communicating the distance to the golf cup.

73. The wireless device of claim 40, wherein the golf course distance measuring application is further operable to communicate a golf score to a network database operable to maintain a golfer index.

74. A method for obtaining current golf course cup geographic location at a network server, the method comprising:

receiving, from a location-determining entity, an initial golf cup geographic location for a golf cup at a golf course;

storing, in memory, the initial golf cup geographic location as a current golf cup location;

receiving, from the location-determining entity, an update to the initial golf cup geographic location based on an occurrence of an automatic event; and

storing, in memory, the update to the initial golf cup geographic location as the current golf cup location,

wherein a golf cup geographic location determination is based, at least in part, on an asset tag maintained in proximity to the golf cup.

75. The method of claim 74, wherein the automatic event corresponds to sensing a threshold level of motion in the golf cup.

76. The method of claim 74, wherein the automatic event is time-based.

77. The method of claim 74, wherein the automatic event corresponds to receipt of a remote trigger that is issued remotely from the golf cup.

78. The method of claim 77, wherein the remote trigger is a user input to an input mechanism on a wireless device that prompts a wireless location determination request for the asset tag maintained in proximity to the golf cup.

79. The method of claim 77, wherein the golf cup geographic location and the wireless device geographic location are determined at a substantially same point in time.

80. The method of claim 77, wherein the golf cup geographic location and the wireless device location are determined such that both predicted locations have a substantially equivalent degree of inaccuracy.

81. The method of claim 74, further comprising communicating, wirelessly, upon request, the current golf cup location to a wireless device.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein communicating, wirelessly, upon request, the current golf cup location to the wireless device further comprises communicating the current golf cup location in response to a request for information related to the golf course.

83. The method of claim 81, wherein communicating, wirelessly, upon request, the current golf cup location to the wireless device further comprises communicating the current golf cup location in response to a request for the current golf cup location based on initiation of a golf cup distance request by the wireless device.

84. The method of claim 74, wherein receiving, from a location-determining entity, an initial golf cup geographic location further comprises, receiving, from the location-determining entity, the initial golf cup location, wherein the location-determining entity determines the initial golf cup location by executing a Mobile Station (MS)-Assisted Global Positioning System (GPS)-based location-determination routine.

85. The method of claim 74, wherein receiving, from a location-determining entity, an initial golf cup geographic location further comprises, receiving, from the location-determining entity, the initial golf cup location, wherein the location-determining entity determines the initial golf cup location by executing a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS)-based location-determination routine.

86. The method of claim 74, further comprising receiving a current wireless device geographic location from a wireless device, determining a distance to the golf cup based on the current wireless device geographic location and the current golf cup geographic location and communicating the distance to the golf cup to the wireless device.

87. The method of claim 74, further comprising receiving, from the location-determining entity, a geographic location for one or more targets associated with the golf cup and storing, in the memory, the geographic locations for the one or more targets.

88. The method of claim 87, further comprising communicating, wirelessly, upon request, the geographic location of the one or more targets.

89. The method of claim 87, further comprising receiving a current wireless device geographic location from a wireless device, determining a distance to the one or more targets based on the current wireless device geographic location and the geographic location of the one or more targets and communicating the distance to the one or more targets to the wireless device.

90. At least one processor configured for obtaining current golf course cup geographic location at a network server, the at least one processor comprising:

a first module for receiving, from a location-determining entity, an initial golf cup geographic location for a golf cup at a golf course;

a second module for storing, in memory, the initial golf cup geographic location as a current golf cup location;

a third module for receiving, from the location-determining entity, an update to the initial golf cup geographic location based on an occurrence of an automatic event; and

a fourth module for storing, in memory, the update to the initial golf cup geographic location as the current golf cup location,

wherein a golf cup geographic location determination is based, at least in part, on an asset tag maintained in proximity to the golf cup.

91. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform operations, the instructions comprising:

at least one instruction for causing the computer to receive, from a location-determining entity, an initial golf cup geographic location for a golf cup at a golf course;

at least one instruction for causing the computer to store, in memory, the initial golf cup geographic location as a current golf cup location;

at least one instruction for causing the computer to receive, from the location-determining entity, an update to the initial golf cup geographic location based on an occurrence of an automatic event; and

at least one instruction for causing the computer to store, in memory, the update to the initial golf cup geographic location as the current golf cup location,

wherein a golf cup geographic location determination is based, at least in part, on an asset tag maintained in proximity to the golf cup.

92. A network device, comprising:

means for receiving, from a location-determining entity, an initial golf cup geographic location for a golf cup at a golf course;

means for storing, in memory, the initial golf cup geographic location as a current golf cup location;

means for receiving, from the location-determining entity, an update to the initial golf cup geographic location based on an occurrence of an automatic event; and

means for storing, in memory, the update to the initial golf cup geographic location as the current golf cup location,

wherein a golf cup geographic location determination is based, at least in part, on an asset tag maintained in proximity to the golf cup.

93. A network device, comprising:

a computer platform including at least one processor and a memory; and

a golf course target location and distance application stored in the memory and executable by the at least one processor, wherein the application is operable to receive, from a location-determining entity, an initial golf cup geographic location for a golf cup at a golf course, store, in the memory, the initial golf cup geographic location as a current golf cup location, receive, from the location-determining entity, an update to the initial golf cup geographic location based on an occurrence of an automatic event and store, in memory, the update to the initial golf cup geographic location as the current golf cup location, wherein a golf cup geographic location determination is based, at least in part, on an asset tag maintained in proximity to the golf cup.

94. The network device of claim 93, wherein the automatic event corresponds to sensing a threshold level of motion in the golf cup.

95. The network device of claim 93, wherein the automatic event is time-based.

96. The network device of claim 93, wherein the automatic event corresponds to receipt of a remote trigger that is issued remotely from the golf cup by a positioning determining entity.

97. The network device of claim 96, wherein the golf course target location and distance application is further operable to receive a wireless device location.

98. The network device of claim 97, wherein the update to the initial golf cup geographic location and the wireless device location are determined at a substantially same point in time.

99. The network device of claim 97, wherein the update to the initial golf cup geographic location and the wireless device location have a substantially equivalent degree of inaccuracy.

100. The network device of claim 93, further comprising a communications module operable to communicate, wirelessly, upon request, the current golf cup location to a wireless device.

101. The network device of claim 100, wherein the communications module is further operable to communicate the current golf cup location in response to a request for information related to the golf course.

102. The network device of claim 100, wherein the communications module is further operable to communicate the current golf cup location in response to a request for the current golf cup location based on initiation of a golf cup distance request by the wireless device.

103. The network device of claim 93, wherein the location-determining entity is external to the network device.

104. The network device of claim 93, wherein the network device includes the location-determining entity.

105. The network device of claim 93, wherein the location-determining entity determines the initial golf cup geographic location by executing a Mobile Station (MS)-Assisted Global Positioning System (GPS)-based location-determination routine.

106. The network device of claim 93, wherein the location-determining entity determines the initial golf cup geographic location by executing a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS)-based location-determination routine.

107. The network device of claim 93, wherein the location-determining entity determines the initial golf cup geographic location by executing a network-based Advanced Forward Link Trilateration (AFLT) location-determination routine.

108. The network device of claim 93, wherein the golf course target location and distance application is further operable to determine a distance to the golf cup based on the current wireless device geographic location and the current golf cup geographic location and communicate the distance to the cup to the wireless device.

109. The network device of claim 93, wherein the golf course target location and distance application is further operable to receive, from the location-determining entity, geographic locations for one or more targets associated with the golf cup and store, in the memory, the geographic locations for the one or more targets.

110. The network device of claim 109, wherein the golf course target location and distance application is further operable to receive a current wireless device geographic location from a wireless device, determine a distance to the one or more targets based on the current wireless device geographic location and the geographic location of the one or more targets and communicating the distance to the one or more targets to the wireless device.

111. A system for determining the distance to a golf cup on a golf course, the system comprising:

a plurality of asset tags, each asset tag located proximate to a golf cup on a golf course, wherein each of the plurality of asset tags are operable to initiate a determination of a golf cup geographic location based on an occurrence of an automatic event;

a network device including a golf course target location and distance application operable to receive, from a location-determining entity, a golf cup geographic location, store the golf cup geographic location as a current golf cup location, receive, from the location-determining entity, an update to the golf cup geographic location based on the occurrence of the automatic event, store, in memory, the update to the golf cup geographic location as the current golf cup location and communicate the current golf cup location; and

a wireless communication device including a golf course distance measuring application operable to wirelessly receive the current golf cup geographic location, receive a request to obtain a distance to the golf cup, obtain a wireless device geographic location based on the request, obtain the distance to the golf cup based on the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location and present the distance to the golf cup on the wireless device.

112. The system of claim 111, wherein the plurality of asset tags further comprise a motion sensor, wherein the automatic event corresponds to sensing a threshold level of motion in the motion sensor.

113. The system of claim 111, wherein the plurality of asset tags further comprise a clock mechanism, wherein the automatic event is time-based and is based on an operation of the clock mechanism.

114. The system of claim 111, wherein the plurality of asset tags further comprise a transceiver, wherein the transceiver is operable to receive a location determination prompt that triggers asset tag location determination at a substantially same point in time as a location determination of the wireless communication device.

115. The system of claim 111, wherein the plurality of asset tags are affixed to a flagstick associated with the golf cup.

116. The system of claim 111, wherein the plurality of asset tags are affixed to the golf cup.

117. A method for determining a distance to a target, the method comprising:

receiving, at a wireless device, target information from a network device that stores current target geographic location information;

obtaining, by the wireless device, a wireless device geographic location;

obtaining, by the wireless device, a target geographic location from the target information, wherein the target comprises an asset tag, and a location determination procedure to determine the target geographic location is triggered automatically based on an occurrence of an event;

obtaining, by the wireless device, a distance to the target based on the wireless device geographic location and the target geographic location; and

presenting the distance to the target on the wireless device.

118. The method of claim 117, wherein the event corresponds to sensing of a threshold level of motion associated with the target.

119. The method of claim 117, wherein the event is time-based.

120. The method of claim 117, wherein the event corresponds to a remote trigger that triggers the location determination procedure remotely from the golf cup.

121. A wireless device, comprising:

a computer platform including at least one processor and a memory; and

a target distance measuring application stored in the memory and executable by the at least one processor, the target distance measuring application operable to receive target information from a network device that stores current target geographic location information, obtain a wireless device geographic location, obtain, from the target geographic location information, a target geographic location, to obtain a distance to the target based on the wireless device geographic location and the target geographic location, and to present the distance to the target on the wireless device,

wherein the target comprises an asset tag and a location determination procedure to determine the target geographic location is triggered automatically based on an occurrence of an event.

122. The device of claim 121, wherein the event comprises sensing of a threshold level of motion associated with the target.

123. The device of claim 121, wherein the event is time-based.

124. The device of claim 121, wherein the event comprises a remote trigger that triggers the location determination procedure remotely from the golf cup.