Patent Application
20200200530
Unlike sports such as baseball, tennis, soccer and football, the sport of golf does not use a standardized playing area. Accordingly, the player's ability to cope with the varied terrains encountered on different golf courses is an important part of game strategy. Tools at a player's disposal include golf course maps, GPS devices and laser rangefinders for making measurements while on the golf course. A golf course typically consists of either 9 or 18 holes with each hole having a cup surrounded by a putting green. A flagstick or “pin” is received in the cup making the location of the cup visible from a distance. Each hole also includes a teeing region or “tee box” that is set off with two markers showing the bounds of the legal tee area. A fairway extends between the tee box and the cup.
A variety of obstacles and hazards are typically placed between the tee box and the pin. These obstacles and hazards may including sand bunkers, trees, ponds, lakes, rivers, shoreline, creeks, un-grassed areas, and natural vegetation areas, which are typically located on the sides of fairways but may be place in the fairways. Generally, the fairway is far from perfectly flat and may have significant undulations and changes in elevation, sometimes the elevation differential between the golf ball striking location and the landing spot, such as the green, can be significant. Golfers strive to shoot low golf scores, that is, going from tee to cup in a minimal number of strokes.
Within recent decades, laser rangefinders were introduced to the game of golf. Laser range finders can provide highly accurate measurements to pins, hazards and intermediate landing spots. Distances are graphically displayed in the viewfinder of the range finder. Initially laser rangefinders were utilized solely for measuring actual laser ranged distances, for example to a flagstick or a hazard. Although that is clearly still their principle use today, it is known to equip laser rangefinders with additional functionalities. For example, providing in addition to displaying measured laser ranged distances, also displaying “play as” distances where the measured distance is adjusted to compensate for such things as changes in elevation, wind, altitude, and temperature. The rangefinders utilizing internal algorithms and processors to make the calculations and suitable adjustments.
Laser range finders originally had significant issues discriminating trees and other objects from the flagsticks. These issues have been addressed to some extent by utilizing algorithms and software with processors to identify flag acquisition internally by the laser rangefinder processors and then by visually indicating to the user that the flagstick or other object has been identified with some certainty by the rangefinder. Typically such a pin acquisition indicator has been by way of an icon appearing in the middle of the display or in the central portion of the display, or with labels, such as TARGET ACQUIRED appearing in the central portion of the display.
Apart for laser rangefinders, GPS devices are utilized for providing distance assistance to aid golfers. Such devices store golf course layouts and with the GPS device establishing the location of the range finder and with the course layout stored in the GPS device, the device can calculate the distances to the middle, front, and rear of the green on the current hole. Laser ranging can be supplemented with location information provided by GPS. For example, combining a laser range finder with the GPS can give a distance to the flag stick and then can add the GPS calculated distances to the front and rear of the green. Such laser rangefinders are known.
Accomplished golfers consider many variables on each shot, especially shots to the green, and to the extent data and information is available through the electronic devices, such data and information is welcome. Such information and data can help golfers determine club selection, where to hit the ball, and even how to hit the ball.
A further consideration in golf is the pace of play. Maintaining a good pace of play is one of the main rules of golf etiquette. At times this is very important as a slow player or players can back up an entire course and disrupt scheduled tee times. Playing partners and groups behind slow players seriously frown upon slow play. Slow play can result by players taking too long to line up shots, considering which club to hit, assessing the many variables, such as wind, elevation differences, potential landing spots, and risks of off-line shots. Properly and expediently assessing all these variable is necessary for shooting low scores and keeping up with the pace of play.
Players that take too long to line up shots, or in considering which club to hit, or in taking too many practice swings are frowned upon. There is a very real need of providing data to the golfer through the laser range finder quickly and clearly so as not to inhibit the pace of play.
In lining up a shot, either off of the tee, or between the tee and green, golfers may often think the more data the better. The viewfinder in sophisticated golf rangefinders may end up being flooded with data, including data such as: actual distance to pin, distance to the front of the green, distance to the rear of the green, play as distance, battery life, hole being played, and other information. To the extent that the data and information presentation is user friendly and quickly accessible, pace of play may be improved.
Vital data and information can be conveyed to the golfer when a golf laser rangefinder is readily accessible. A brisk pace of play can be maintained when the golf laser rangefinder is readily stowable so as to be out of the way while the golfer is addressing the ball. Accordingly, features that allow the golf laser rangefinder to be easily stowable and readily accessible would be welcomed by golfers.
In embodiments, a golf laser rangefinder comprises a housing supporting a viewfinder, a push button laser actuator, an eyepiece, a display viewable through the eyepiece with information and data provided on the display, and one or more magnets on a lateral side of the housing. The information includes a measured distance readout and may include additional information such as “play as” distance, battery information, hole being played information, distance to front of green, and distance to back of green.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is a golf laser rangefinder comprising a housing and one or more magnets supported by the housing. The one or more magnets allow the golf laser rangefinder to be quickly stowed as magnetic force from the magnet fixes the golf laser rangefinder to a ferromagnetic object such as a portion of a golf cart. The one or more magnets allow the golf laser rangefinder to be stowed in a manner and location that makes the golf laser rangefinder readily accessible and visible immediately in front of the golfer, for example on an upright golf cart roof support rail.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is a golf laser rangefinder comprising a housing and a pair of magnets supported by the housing, the pair of magnets including a first magnet and a second magnet spaced apart from one another such that the magnets are positioned in opposing corners of a generally rectangular lateral side of the laser rangefinder housing. In embodiments, the distance between the first magnet and the second magnet maximized to provide greater mounting stability when the golf laser rangefinder is fixed to a ferromagnetic object such as a portion of a golf cart, for example a forward roof support member.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is a golf laser rangefinder comprising a housing and a pair of magnets supported by a side wall that includes a smooth outer surface for easy cleaning and for reducing the likelihood that debris will collected. In embodiments the housing arrangement minimizes component connection joints that can accumulate and trap dirt and debris. In embodiments, the side wall supporting the pair of magnets includes no grooves to collect debris.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is a golf laser rangefinder comprising a housing and a pair of magnets disposed along an orientation line arranged for locating the golf laser rangefinder at a predetermined orientation. In embodiments, the predetermined orientation is selected to reduce the likelihood that sensitive internal components will be damaged by radiation from the sun. In embodiments the magnets are aligned on a line extending between opposing corners of a generally rectangular lateral side wall of the laser rangefinder housing.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is a golf laser rangefinder comprising a housing and one or more magnets, the one or more magnets being positioned on an opposite lateral side of the housing from the lateral side with a display screen and operating button so that the screen can be viewed when the laser golf rangefinder is mounted on a surface in a golf cart forward of the golfer. Moreover, when so mounted, immediate physical and visual access is provided to the lateral side controls of the golf laser range finding device.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is a golf laser rangefinder including a direction indicating element for indicating a desirable orientation for the golf laser rangefinder to assume when stowed. In embodiments, the direction indicating element is arrow-shaped.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is a golf laser rangefinder including a housing with a lateral side that has a central screen and operating button as the periphery of the screen. This arrangement may facilitate holding the golf laser rangefinder in the palm of one hand and pushing the buttons with the other hand while viewing the screen. Magnets are positioned on the opposite lateral side, allowing the user to view the lateral side screen, operate the device, and then mount the device with the screen facing outwardly with the operator never taking his eyes off of the information provided on the screen. This can be advantageous as the display is giving a yardage readout that is changing as the golf cart approaches a ball location. Such also permits the golf cart occupant to keep his eyes forward while the cart is moving reducing any chance of a golf cart accident.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is a golf laser rangefinder including orientation sensor for detecting a present orientation of the housing. In embodiments, a display on the golf laser rangefinder provides a visual indication that the housing is in a desired orientation based on a signal from the orientation sensor. In embodiments a lateral side of the rangefinder, opposite the side with the magnetic attraction region, may have indicia providing proper alignment indication of the rangefinder to facilitate the alignment as it is being placed on the upright support member on a golf cart. The alignment indicator parallel to the magnetic attraction region.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is that the golf laser rangefinder is be readily stowable so that it is out of the way when not needed. A feature and advantage of embodiments is that the golf laser rangefinder is readily accessible, so as to be quickly and easy retrieved from a stowed position saving time on the golf course and facilitating pace of play. A feature and advantage is that the magnets are permanently attached to the housing.
An example laser rangefinder may include a housing supporting an objective optic, an eyepiece optic, and a view-thru display. The view-thru display may be located along an optical path between the objective optic and the eyepiece optic. In embodiments, the view-thru display comprises a first transparent sheet and a plurality of electrodes disposed on a first inner surface of the first transparent sheet. The view-thru display may be disposed rearward of the objective optic and the eyepiece optic may be disposed rearward of the view-thru display assembly so that a scene or subject can be viewed through the eyepiece optic and a plurality of display elements selectively displayed by the view-thru display assembly are superimposed on the scene or subject being viewed. Information regarding playing conditions in proximity to the laser rangefinder may be presented on the view-thru display. The view-thru display may comprise, for example, an LCD display and/or an OLED display.
A feature and benefit of embodiments is a golf cart mountable laser rangefinder that displays information on a view-thru display and a side display, the side display viewable to drivers and passengers in the golf cart.
The above summary is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure.
The drawings included in the present application are incorporated into, and form part of, the specification. They illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, along with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. The drawings are only illustrative of certain embodiments and do not limit the disclosure.
While the embodiments of the disclosure are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the disclosure to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring still to
The display screen 137 may provide, for example, GPS position date, such as distance from the rangefinder to the front of the green, the middle of the green, and the backside of the green. Such can be visible to the golf cart riders when mounted on a golf cart. In embodiments the display screen can also provide an indicator 141 to the user as to positioning of the magnetic attraction region on the opposite side of the laser rangefinder, see
Referring still to
In embodiments, the control circuitry 122 is operatively coupled to the view-thru display assembly 108, the laser source 116 and the photo detector. In embodiments, the control circuitry comprises one or more processors and a non-transitory computer readable medium storing one or more instruction sets. In embodiments, the instructions executed by the one or more processors 126 may cause the one or more laser rangefinder 100 to measure a flight time associated for light emitted by the laser source, reflected off of a target, and sensed by the photo detector. A measured distance may be calculated based on the determined flight time. The instructions executed by the one or more processors 126 may cause the measured distance to be presented on the see-through display assembly 108 of the laser rangefinder 100.
Continuing to refer to
Still referring to
In embodiments, the memory is a collection of various computer-readable media in the system architecture. In various embodiments, memory can include, but is not limited to volatile media, non-volatile media, removable media, and non-removable media. For example, in one or more embodiments, the memory can include random access memory (RAM), cache memory, read only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid state memory, or other suitable type of memory. In one or more embodiments, the memory includes media that is accessible to the electronic circuitry 122. For example, in embodiments, the memory includes computer readable media located locally in the circuitry 122 and/or media located remotely to the circuitry 122 and accessible via a network. In embodiments, the memory includes a program product having a group of one or more logical instructions that are executable by the processor to carry out the functions of the various embodiments of the disclosure. In embodiments, the bus comprises one or more of any of suitable type of bus structures for communicatively connecting the electronic elements. In various embodiments the bus may include a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a processor or local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures.
In embodiments, the circuitry 122 includes an I/O interface coupled to a processor. The I/O interface may facilitate communication between the various components of the circuitry 122. For example, in one or more embodiments, the I/O interface may be communicatively coupled with the projector, the processor and the memory for emitting an output image via the projector. For example, in certain embodiments, the processor generates an output that corresponds to a particular pattern. The processor can transmit this output to the I/O interface which can then translate the processor output into instructions which are compatible with the projector and which result in the projector emitting light corresponding to the pattern.
In certain embodiments the I/O interface facilitates communication with input and output devices for interacting with a user. For example, the I/O interface may communicate with one or more devices such, as a user-input device and/or an external display, which enable a user to interact directly with the circuitry 122. The user-input device may comprise a keyboard, one or more push-buttons, a touch screen, or other devices that allows a user to input information. The external display may comprise any of a variety of visual displays, such as a viewable screen, a set of viewable symbols or numbers, and so on.
Referring to
Referring to
The following United States patents are hereby incorporated by reference herein: U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,535,162, 9,518,804, 9,494,686, 9,482,489, 9,429,653, 9,400,326, 9,383,448, 9,335,415, 9,322,920, 9,295,895, 9,274,202, 9,213,101, 9,212,868, 9,197,763, 9,151,603, 9,127,910, 9,095,761, 9,068,795, 9,038,901, 9,030,651, 8,959,823, 8,909,470, 8,868,342, 8,786,837, 8,708,841, 8,638,423, 8,605,259, 8,599,362, 8,529,380, 8,477,290, 8,411,257, 8,384,884, 8,355,869, 8,314,923, 8,240,186, 8,172,702, 8,081,300, 8,072,583, 8,070,629, 8,070,628, 8,040,758, 8,020,769, 8,018,580, 7,973,912, 7,942,762, 7,922,606, 7,898,647, 7,859,650, 7,713,148, 7,684,017, 7,658,031, 7,571,052, 7,535,553, 7,508,497, 7,414,707, 7,349,073, 7,239,377, 7,118,498, 7,053,992, 6,978,676, 6,934,012, 6,873,406, 6,862,084, 6,819,495, 6,717,654, 6,583,860, 6,529,827, 6,456,938, 6,433,860, 6,263,279, 6,252,655, 6,171,199, 6,144,308, 6,133,992, 6,108,071, 6,073,352, 6,029,121, 6,023,322, 5,953,109, 5,926,260, 5,926,259, 5,903,996, 5,898,484, 5,810,680, 5,703,678, 5,652,651, 5,623,335, 5,616,903, 5,364,093, 5,311,271, 5,283,732, 5,262,837, 5,046,839, 4,136,394, 8,797,511, and 8,909,470. Components illustrated in such patents may be utilized with embodiments herein. Incorporation by reference is discussed, for example, in MPEP section 2163.07(B).
The above references in all sections of this application are herein incorporated by references in their entirety for all purposes.
All of the features disclosed in this specification (including the references incorporated by reference, including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.
Each feature disclosed in this specification (including references incorporated by reference, any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any incorporated by reference references, any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed The above references in all sections of this application are herein incorporated by references in their entirety for all purposes.
Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose could be substituted for the specific examples shown. This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of the present subject matter. Therefore, it is intended that the invention be defined by the attached claims and their legal equivalents, as well as the following illustrative aspects. The above described aspects embodiments of the invention are merely descriptive of its principles and are not to be considered limiting. Further modifications of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention.
