Patent Application
20190151725
The invention relates generally to an apparatus for and a method of controlling the travel and positioning of a golf bag carrier and assisting the golfer during his or her round of golf.
A portion of the disclosure of this patent application contains material that is subject to copyright protection. Noting the confidential protection afforded non-provisional patent applications prior to publication, the copyright owner hereby authorizes the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to reproduce this document and portions thereof prior to publication as necessary for its records. The copyright owner otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
Motorized golf bag carriers are known in the art. The most obvious carrier is the drivable golf bag carrier with seating for passengers and a space on the back thereof for storage of golf bags. Also known are the ‘push’ (or ‘pull’) handcarts upon which a golfer can mount his or her golf bag. Such handcarts are typically moved through the applicable golf course through the physical efforts of the golfing (e.g., pushing or pulling it along). A subset of handcarts have systems through which they can move the handcart independent of the golfer's physical efforts or at least decrease the level of such effort that is necessary.
Preexisting golf bag carriers include, for example, motorized vehicles (driven by golfers) and powered golf bag cart that can follow the golfer based upon a signaling device carried or worn by the golfer. Other carriers include displays that show attributes about the golf course such as, for example, layout of tees, fairways and greens, and distances between the location of the carrier and the hole the golfer is approaching.
In fact, the prior art includes powered golf bag carriers that are remote controlled, but the notable system is in a ‘follow-the-leader’ configuration, where the golfer carries the controller. Such a system does not have the functionality or information needed to itself ‘know’ the surroundings of the golf course. Other prior art references disclose carriers that a motorized and steerable by the golfer using other assortment of technologies, but for each, there is a specific need for direct input and guidance by the golfer. Separately, there are systems that assist golfers in understanding the layout of, design of and other information related to the golf courses. The prior art references do not show, however, a system that integrates the functionality necessary for the golf bag carrier to almost autonomously navigate the golf course with as desired by the golfer using it.
With the foregoing describing some of the shortfalls of the prior systems and methods, the present inventions (both the system and the method) are designed and have been developed to address these considerations and other challenges in the prior art.
The present invention relates to an apparatus for and a method of controlling the travel and positioning of a golf bag carrier and assisting the golfer during his or her round of golf. The carrier could be a golf bag carrier of the kind typically driven by a golfer (with the golf bag mounted on the back), a separate golf bag cart (typically pulled or pushed by a walking golfer) or a combination of both carriers (for example, a drivable carrier accompanied by a separate golf bag cart, which could be attached to the drivable carrier). The inventive apparatus and method described herein controls the movement of the golf bag carrier without the need for the golfer to control all of the movement of the carrier and/or to walk with a corresponding device. Further, carriers that include the physical elements of the present invention have access to various details about the golf course, its surroundings and the golfer and can use information provided from such physical elements to navigate the golf course and provide the golfer with useful information that assist in the golfer's play.
In its broadest embodiment, the present invention is an apparatus capable of controlling a golf bag carrier and otherwise assisting a golfer with such apparatus comprising (A) housing 114, (B) CPU 102, (C) power source 104, (D) detector 106 detecting the position of the golf bag carrier to which the element is attached, (E) detector 108 detecting and monitoring the position of objects in and other aspects of the carriers surroundings, (F) interface 110 through which CPU 102 and the golfer can exchange information, and (G) communications element 112 connects CPU 102 and the system that moves the carrier (e.g., a means of communicating instructions from CPU 102 to the driving system that powers the golf course carrier's wheels). Preferably, CPU 102 and other electronic components are positioned with the appropriately configured housing 114.
It is also preferably for housing 114 to be capable of being mounted on the target golf bag carrier. Where the carrier is the form of a vehicle typically driven by the golfer, housing 114 could be internal to the carrier—as seen in
It is additionally preferably that CPU 102 can coordinate the operation of housing-occupying electronic components. Accordingly, it preferable that power source 104, detector 106, detector 108, and communications element 112 are physically connected to housing 114. It is important for CPU 102 to have access to desirable and predetermined information about the golf course in which the golf bag carrier is to be used. The element providing power to CPU 102 (e.g., power source 104) can also be used to power other electronic components. The element that can detect the position of the golf bag carrier and navigate its movement (e.g., detector 106) is also preferably electronically connected to CPU 102 and such element can detect the position and track the movement of such golf bag carrier within the surroundings of the golf course. The element that detects and monitors the positions of the golfer, along with the positions of objects in and other aspects of the surroundings of the golf bag carrier (e.g. detector 108), is preferably electronically attached to CPU 102 and physically connected to golf bag carrier. Interface 110, usable by the golfer, is preferably electronically connected to CPU 102. Communications element 112 electronically connects the CPU and the system that powers the movement of the golf bag carrier via wireless technology, through a physical connection, or through other means. When the carrier is a golf vehicle, CPU 102 could be, for example, capable of controlling the travel of the vehicle when the golfer is not driving. When the carrier is a golf bag cart, CPU 102 could be, for example, capable of controlling the travel of the golf bag cart when the golfer is not pulling or pushing it.
In a more particular embodiment of the inventive apparatus, the element used to detect and navigate the golf bag carrier includes global positioning system (GPS) technology. Such GPS technology could be physically connected to the housing and powered by the same source as the CPU. Additionally or alternatively, the detection and navigation could be accomplished through the use of light detection and ranging (LIDAR) technology, with such LIDAR technology also potentially physically connected to the housing and powered by the CPU powering source.
As a third option, the detecting and monitoring could be facilitated by one or more cameras electronically attached to the CPU. Such camera(s) could be physically connected to the golf bag carrier in a position independent to the housing or physically connected to the housing—the important aspect being the view of the camera(s) to assist in the navigation of the golf bag carrier. In certain embodiments, one or more of the cameras can capture one or more images of the golfer using the apparatus.
Instead of or in addition to cameras, detection and monitoring could be accomplished through the use of radar technology. In such a case, for example, one radar unit could be physically connected to the golf bag carrier in a position wherein the radar unit could detect objects in the surrounding of the golf bag carrier. Also, LIDAR technology could be just as appropriate for such detection and monitoring (e.g., in detecting objects in the surrounding of the golf bag carrier).
Conversely or additionally, cameras could be positioned, for example, in various locations throughout the golf course, can detect and track the locations of the golf bag carriers, and be in communication with the CPU, directly, indirectly (through a “home base” system or the CPU of other carriers) or both
Further, such cameras and/or radar units could also be used as the elements that detect and monitor the movement of objects in proximity to, and the other aspects of the surroundings of, the golf bag carrier. Such objects and surroundings could include, for example, obstacles on the path of the golf bag carrier, a golf ball in flight (e.g., as it moves relative to the golf bag carrier), the golfer, or other objects that are identifiable based upon the information available to the CPU. At least one of the cameras could be movable and could have other attributes that facilitate the ability of that camera being able to substantially maintain a view of the golfer when he or she is within a desired distance from the golf bag carrier.
In another embodiment, cameras in various locations throughout the golf course could communicate directly or indirectly with the CPU on the vehicle to view the golfer, objects, ‘obstacles’ and other aspects of the golf course in the surroundings of the carrier.
In one embodiment of the inventive apparatus, the interface can be physically connected to the golf bag carrier in a position where the golfer can readily see information from the CPU.
As opposed to or in addition to ‘listening’, one particular embodiment of the inventive apparatus could include one or more audio-producing elements 604 electronically attached to the CPU and physically connected to the golf bag carrier in a position where the sounds produced by audio-producing elements 604 can be understandably heard by the golfer positioned within a desired distance from such golf bag carrier. An example of such audio-producing elements 606 could be one or more speakers. The listening element 606 could be one or more microphones. In a more particular embodiment of the apparatus, interface 602 can display information about the surrounding of the golf bag carrier. Such information could include, for example, the distance between the then-current position of a golf ball and the hole the golfer is then approaching. In certain embodiments of the present inventive apparatus, the functionality that acts as listening element 606 and/or the audio-producing elements 604 might be electronically connected to the CPU but embodied in a device physically in the possession of the golfer. For example, through Bluetooth, WIFI, or similar technology, the CPU could be linked to the golfer's phone, tablet or other device whereby, with the use of the appropriate mobile application, the ‘listening’ and ‘audio-producing’ functions are performed through such devices.
In the more preferable embodiment of the present inventive apparatus, (A) the source of the power for the CPU, (B) the element that detects the golf course surroundings and navigates the movement of the golf bag carrier, (C) the element that detects and monitors objects in the carrier's surroundings, and (D) means of communicating instructions to move the golf bag carrier, are all connected within the housing. It is also an option for the source of the power for these and possibly other electronic components to be a battery element within the housing.
Another particular embodiment of the present inventive apparatus could also include a transmitter/receiver element through which signals can be communicated between the golf bag carrier and one or more of a variety of remotely located transmitters/receivers. The transmitters/receivers could be physically connected to the housing and powered by the same source as the other electronic components. Further, the remotely located transmitters/receivers could be associated with a ‘home base’ system at the club house of the golf course or such other location as designated by the course operator. It is also conceivable that the ‘home base’ system could be in communication with multiple golf bag carriers that similarly have a connection with an embodiment of the present inventive apparatus. Additionally or alternatively, remotely located transmitters/receivers could be positioned at various locations throughout the golf course, with some of such devices electronically connected to, for example, cameras, radar units, and other means of detecting and monitor movement in their view and stationary aspects of the golf course, or a storage means that transmits hole specific information. The apparatus could also, through its networked capabilities, use information from other golf bag carriers to facilitate the evaluation of information being processed by the C
All or some of the desirable information about the golf course (e.g., the course layout including hazards and out-of-bounds areas) can be pre-loaded into a data storage element electronically connected to the CPU and physically connected to such housing. Additionally or alternatively, all or some of such desirable information could be electronically available from a remotely located transmitter/receiver. For example, as opposed to storing the information in a component physically attached to the golf bag carrier, the information can be provided wirelessly as the need for the information is detected or requested by the golfer. In addition, (A) the detection and monitoring of the identification of the golfer, (B) the interface that shows the results of then-pertinent operational parameters of the apparatus, and (C) the CPU's controlling of the movement of the golf bag carrier, could all be based upon operational parameters previously accessed by the CPU, along with parameters provided by the golfer during play. A listening element can facilitate the ability of the golfer to set such operational parameters.
In its broadest embodiment, the present invention, as depicted in flowchart form in
In a particular embodiment of the present inventive method, the initial provision of the power to the CPU initializes a health and status check of the CPU and pertinent other electronic components. Further, the desirable information about such golf course may include, for example, tee locations, fairway layouts, greens and cup placements, bunkers and sand traps, and out-of-bounds borders. Such information could be displayable on a screen electronically attached to the CPU and the screen is physically attached to the golf bag carrier. Conversely, the screen could be in a handheld device (separate from the golf bag carrier) and wirelessly connected to the CPU. This device could be provided with the cart or be an app on the golfer's phone. This device can additionally store information about the current game and player or past players at the same hole (e.g. where the ball is commonly hit to from the tee, or where an individual most commonly hits the ball every time they play a particular hole). Likewise, an aspect of the surroundings that could be recorded and displayed might include weather forecasts and other environmental conditions (e.g., wind direction and speed).
With respect the navigation of the golf bag carrier, the golf bag carrier can be navigated from its then-current position, distal from the golfer, to a location in proximity of the golfer based upon the CPU available positioning information, the object and surroundings information, and the golfer information. The golfer information may include, for example, aspects of the golfer's appearance, such as the golfer's facial features, clothing and gait. Based upon such information, the golf bag carrier can be assigned uniquely to the golfer with such appearance. In yet another embodiment, the golf bag carrier can be navigated to travel and stop at locations relative to the golfer and to such surroundings based upon the object and surroundings information and the golfer information. When the carrier is a vehicle, the carrier could follow the golfer if the golfer elects to walk certain parts of the golf course as opposed to driving the vehicle. In certain instances, such golfer information may include, for example, the desired default distance to be maintain between the golfer and the golf bag carrier while the golfer is moving, by way of example, between golf ball resting locations.
As a possible override, the golf bag carrier can be navigated to maintain a desired default distance from undesirable objects and areas in the surroundings from which the golf bag carrier is preferably prohibited from travelling. In one embodiment of the present inventive method, the golfer can use audible commands to control the movement of the golf bag carrier to one or more locations that are different from the location to which the golf bag carrier would travel by default. Further, the golf bag carrier can be navigated to a most favorable position possible when the location of the desired default distance is (A) obstructed by objects or (B) in an area of the surroundings in which the golf bag carrier is preferably prohibited from travelling (e.g., at times, golf courses impose ‘golf path only’ rules, in which cases carriers that are vehicles have to stay on the golf paths). In a further embodiment of the present inventive method, the golf bag carrier can be navigated through the use of hand signals. With a particular embodiment of the inventive method, the golf club is automatically navigated to its storage location when the golfer is finished using it.
Additionally, the method may include the step of providing audible commentary based upon the positioning information, the object and surroundings information, and the golfer information. For example, such audible commentary could include the distance between the golfer's ball and the next golf hole. Such audible commentary could also include, by way of further example, a recommendation of the golf club the golfer should preferably use given (A) the distance between the golfer's ball and the next golf hole, (B) the objects and other aspects of the surroundings, and (C) the golfer information (e.g., the average travel distance of a golf ball the golf using a 7-iron).
In other embodiments of the present inventive method, a portion of the desirable information about the golf course is accessible from a remote location. In another, a portion of such desirable information is accessible from a storage element connected to the golf bag carrier.
Further, the navigation of the golf bag carrier can be facilitated by one or more cameras electronically connected to the CPU. In some instances, such cameras may be physically connected to the golf bag carrier. At other times the cameras may be located at various locations throughout the golf course. A more complete arrangement would be to have cameras attached to and detached from the golf bag carrier. Additionally or alternatively, such navigation can be facilitated by one or more radar units, which similar to the possible cameras, could be physically connected to the golf bag carrier, detached therefrom, or a combination where multiple radar units are in use, provided that such radar unit(s) are directly or indirectly electronically connected to the CPU. As a third option, one or more one LIDAR units could be used.
The inventive method might also include the step of communicating between such golf bag carrier and one or more remote locations by means of transmitters/receivers physically connected to the golf bag carrier and electronically connected to the CPU. Additionally or alternatively, the method could include the step of recording the movement of objects through the use of one or more cameras or other means within a desirable distance from the golf bag carrier. Such recorded movement could be, for example, the swing of the golfer and/or the travel of a golf ball.
The foregoing descriptions of the present invention have been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to the practitioner of ordinary skilled in the art. Particularly, it would be evident that while the examples described herein illustrate how the inventive system may look and how the inventive process may be performed. Further, other elements and/or steps may be used for and provide benefits to the present invention. The depictions of the present invention as shown in the exhibits are provided for purposes of illustration.
The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with various modifications that are suited to the particular use contemplated.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62588833 | Nov 2017 | US |
