Method and system for golf cart control

• US 7,239,965 B2
• Filed: 01/09/2004
• Issued: 07/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Club Car Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Uplink Corporation (GPS Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hill, Joseph M. III, Mullinix, David J., Wehrlen, David J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Camby; Richard M.
• Application Number:
  US10/754,916
• Publication Number:
  US 20040260467A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,271 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701 23- 26, 701201-213, 34235701-35708
• 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 motor responding to driver commands input through an on board controller, the system comprising:

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

a limited access map defining limited access areas of the golf course; and

a limited access controller interfaced with the GPS receiver and the limited access map, the limited access controller operable to override a driver command to move the golf cart to violate a limited access area.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the limited access controller overrides a driver input by governing the maximum speed commanded through the on board controller.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the limited access controller overrides a driver input by preventing a command by the on board controller to the motor that moves the golf cart into the limited access area.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the driver input comprises an accelerator input to advance the golf cart forward along a vector that intercepts a limited access area in a predetermined warning distance and wherein the limited access controller overrides the accelerator input to prevent forward motion along the vector.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the limited access area comprises one or more of a golf green, tee, fairway or hazard.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the limited access area comprises a golf cart path having a turn, the turn having a radius with a predetermined maximum safe speed, the limited access controller commanding the on board controller to override driver inputs to exceed the predetermined maximum safe speed.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising a driver interface unit operable to present limited access areas to a driver of the golf cart, the driver interface unit further operable to present a message to the driver if the limited access controller commands an override of a driver input.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the driver interface unit is further operable to send notice to golf course personnel of a driver input to move the golf cart to violate a limited access area.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the driver interface unit is further operable to accept a notice sent by golf course personnel to disable the limited access controller.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the limited access controller is further operable to accept a pass code that permits driver inputs to move the golf cart to violate a limited access area.

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

monitoring the golf cart position with a GPS receiver;

comparing the golf cart position with a limited access map that defines limited access areas of the golf course;

determining a golf cart violation of a limited access area;

restricting the performance of golf cart driver commands by the golf cart motor to inhibit violation of the limited access area by the golf cart.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

presenting at the golf cart a notice to the driver of violation of the limited access area.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein presenting a notice further comprises displaying instructions for avoiding the limited access area.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein determining a golf cart violation of a limited access area further comprises:

determining that the golf cart GPS position is within a predetermined distance of the limited access area;

estimating the velocity of the golf cart; and

analyzing the golf cart position and velocity to project a path for the golf cart through the limited access area.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein estimating the velocity further comprises:

polling the golf cart motor to determine the selected motor speed; and

analyzing the change in GPS position of the golf cart over time.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein restricting the performance of golf cart driver commands further comprises removing power from the golf cart motor.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein restricting the performance of golf cart driver commands further comprises restricting the maximum speed at which the motor can operate.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein restricting the performance of golf cart driver commands further comprises:

disabling golf cart movement towards the limited access area;

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

re-enabling the performance of golf cart driver commands.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein disabling golf cart movement towards the limited access area further comprises disabling golf cart movement except in a reverse direction.

20. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

displaying an emergency override at the golf cart;

selecting the emergency override; and

re-enabling the performance of golf cart driver commands to allow golf cart movement through the limited access area.

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

a GPS receiver associated with each golf cart and operable to determine a GPS position of an associated golf cart;

a limited access map associated with each golf cart and defining limited access areas of an associated golf cart;

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

a driver interface unit associated with each golf cart and interfaced with the limited access controller, the driver interface unit operable to communicate with a wireless network; and

a base station operable to communicate with the driver interface unit over the wireless network, the base station having an access configuration module operable to define limited access areas and to update one or more of the limited access maps with the defined limited access areas.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein a limited access area comprises a perimeter and a golf cart movement restriction associated with a golf cart position within the perimeter.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein the perimeter is associated with a golf course green and the golf cart movement restriction comprises overriding forward motion by the golf cart onto the green.

24. The system of claim 22 wherein the perimeter is associated with a golf course driving hazard and the restriction comprises overriding driver commands for a speed that exceeds a predetermined maximum speed.

25. The system of claim 22 wherein the perimeter is associated with other golf carts and the restriction comprises governing the maximum golf cart speed.

26. The system of claim 21 wherein the driver interface unit is further operable to communicate to the base station an alarm of a driver command to move a golf cart in a limited access area.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein the base station further comprises an access control module operable to communicate to the driver interface unit an authorization to perform the driver command to move a golf cart in the limited access area.

28. The system of claim 21 wherein the base station further comprises an access control module operable to communicate to one or more selected driver interface units a movement restriction for the golf cart associated with each of the one or more select driver interface units.

29. The system of claim 28 wherein the base station further comprises an authorization module operable to communicate a request for an authorization code to a driver interface unit and to verify receipt of the authorization code from the driver interface unit, the authorization module commanding the access control module to prohibit movement of the golf cart until receipt of the authorization code.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein the authorization code is associated with payment of a green fee for playing the golf course.

31. The system of claim 21 wherein the access configuration module is further operable to define limited access areas according to golf cart driver type.

32. The system of claim 21 wherein the access configuration module is further operable to restrict golf carts to golf cart paths.

33. The system of claim 21 wherein the access configuration module is further operable to restrict golf cart movement by one or more predetermined time periods.