WO1992004080A1

WO1992004080A1 - Device for use in golf

Info

Publication number: WO1992004080A1
Application number: PCT/GB1991/001501
Authority: WO
Inventors: Duncan Robert Palmer
Original assignee: Caddie (Westerham) Limited
Priority date: 1990-09-05
Filing date: 1991-09-04
Publication date: 1992-03-19
Also published as: GB9019331D0; AU8527091A

Abstract

A device for determining a golf play parameter comprising means (7) for measuring distance to an object. These measuring means transmit electromagnetic radiation to the object, receive the electromagnetic radiation reflected back by said object and determine the distance to the object by reference to the radiation transmitted and the reflected radiation received. The device also comprises memory means (5, 6) containing data regarding at least one golf play parameter determined by distance to the object, processing means (1) for interrogating the memory means to provide a play parameter dictated by the distance determined, and interface means (2) for indicating the play parameter obtained. In a preferred embodiment, the distance to the object is determined by measuring the elapse of time between transmission of the electromagnetic radiation and reception of the reflected radiation. Preferably, the electromagnetic radiation is in the infrared waveband.

Description

DEVICE FOR USE IN GOLF

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a device for determining at least one golf play parameter based en a distance measured by the device.

BACKGROUND ART

Known systems for measuring distances on golf courses are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4698781, 3868692 and 4703044 and require the provision of a plurality of receivers/transmitters at locations around the golf course.

These systems are expensive and require substantial cooperation on the part of the golf course owners to permit the ins-allation of the receivers/transmitters.

Published European Patent Application 0281846 discloses an apparatus for mounting to a hand-held cart which measures the distance travelled by the cart by sensing the rotation of one of its wheels. This apparatus is cumbersome in that it requires a wheeled cart for its operation and is complicated and limited in its use. To use such a device requires knowledge of the distance of the hole from the tee-off location, and calculation of the distance remaining to the hole after each stroke based on the angle from the position at which the ball was hit to its final location and the distance between them obtained by the player walking to the ball pulling the hand cart. It will be appreciated that this system is not of high accuracy and cannot be used effectively if the precise distance of the tee-off location from the hole is not known. Further, it cannot be used to measure distance where the ball lands in a water trap or heavy undergrowth nor is its measurement accurate where the course is undulating.

An object of the present invention is to provide a measuring device for use on a golf course which dees not require the location of expensive equipment around the golf course and which is accurate and simple to use.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such a device which, in addition to measuring the distance, also determines a play parameter based on the distance detected. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a device for determining a golf play parameter comprising means for measuring distance to an object, which means comprise transmitting means for transmitting electromagnetic radiation to the object; receiving means for receiving the electromagnetic radiation reflected back by said object, and means for determining the distance to the object by reference to the radiation transmitted and the reflected radiation received; said device further comprising memory means containing data regarding at least one golf play parameter determined by distance to the object; processing means for interogating the memory means to provide a play parameter dictated by the distance determined, and interface means for indicating the play parameter obtained. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the distance- to the object is determined by measuring the elapse of time between transmission of the electromagnetic radiation and reception of the reflected radiation. Preferably, the electromagnetic radiation is in the infrared waveband.

In a preferred embodiment the object is a reflector provided on, for example, a golf flag pole. However, embodiments are envisaged in which no such reflector is required.

The device preferably also comprises a keypad connected with the processing means for the input of data related to play and the actuation of given functions.

The memory means preferably comprise a read only memory and a non-volatile memory, the latter permitting storage of data regarding a users play performance derived by the processing means from data input via the keypad and/or the distance measuring means. In a preferred embodiment, the read only memory contains a club selection database, and program instructions and algorithms by which the processing means determine the appropriate club for a given distance, with or without reference *o data regarding the personal performance of the user stored in the non-volatile memory.

The memory means preferably also contains program instructions for interactive training exercises, player perfo ance analysis and/or score keeping.

In a preferred embodiment, the interface means are also provided to indicate the distance measured to the object. Further, the interface means preferably comprise a visual display device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig 1. is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the device of the present invention;

Fig 2. is a block diagram illus-rating a preferred form of a range finding system of the embodiment shown in Fig 1;

Fig 3. illustrates a preferred external appearance of the device illustrated in Fig 1, and

Fig 4. illustrates a method of using an embodiment of the invention for the purpose of training. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a device

26 for determining distances on golf courses and golf play parameters. This device comprises a range finding system 7 for accurately measuring the distance between the device and a suitable object or target. The reading obtained by this system 7 is fed automatically to a central processor in the form of a micro computer unit 1, where it is used in determining one or more play parameters selected by means of a matrix keypad

3. A read only memory (ROM) 6 connected to the micro computer unit 1 provides the program instructions and algorithms by which the micro computer unit 1 performs calculations and other operations of the present device which will be described below. A random access memory 4 is provided to store information regarding current play input from the keypad 3 and a non¬ volatile memory 5 for receiving information input from the keypad 3 and from the range finding system 7 regarding, for example, the users golfing abilities and past performance and information regarding one or more golf courses. Figure 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the range finding system 7 employing infrared radiation to determine the distance of an object. This system 7 comprises three main functional blocks: an optical transmitter, an optical receiver and an electronic counter.

The transmitter shown comprises a collimated infrared light source 18 comprising a collimated laser diode. The output from the light source 18 is pulse modulated by means of a modulator 10 and drive circuit 17, and approximates to a square wave of 50 nanoseconds duration. The modulator is triggered by a pulse derived by dividing down the frequency of a stable oscillator 16. A highly collimated beam of light 8 is obtained from the laser diode with the aid of additional lenses of the collimated light source 18. The degree of collimation is important to ensure that the device operates satisfactorily at maximum range.

The receiver consists of a semiconductor photo deτ.ector 20, which in the present embodiment is a PIN photo diode. To prevent ambient light levels from overly affecting the performance of the range finding system 7, a bandpass optical filter 22 is placed in the receiving section of the range finding system 7. As an alternative to such a bandpass optical filter 22, high and low pass optical filters combined to give a bandpass filter function may be employed.

A lens system 21 is provided in the optical receiver to increase its sensitivity by increasing the area over which light is collected.

The modulated electrical signal obtained from phorodetector 20 is amplified by a solid state amplifier 19. The resultant signal is processed into a square wave by a trigger circuit 13 for activating an electronic gate 12.

An electronic counter is used to measure the length of time between one portion of transmitted wave and the same portion of the received waveform. To measure this time, the signal of the stable oscillator 16 is applied to a counter 15 which increments by one for each cycle of the oscillator or clock 16. The electronic gate 12 is located between the counter 15 and oscillator 16. This gate 12 is opened by one portion of the transmitted waveform received via a trigger circuit 11 and closed by a similar portion of the received waveform from trigger circuit 13. The counter 15 thus produces a number equal to the number of clock cycles between the two signals controlling the gate 12. During the time that the gate 12 is closed, this counted value is available to the micro¬ computer unit 1. This state is indicated by a DATA FLAG 23, the setting of which causes the micro computer unit 1 to load the content of the counter 15 via one of its I/O ports. Once the data has been successfully loaded, the micro computer unit 1 asserts a control line to indicate it is ready to receive more data, and the counter will then set the DATA FLAG 23 at the next valid count. At the end of the counting cycle, the counter 15 is automatically reset to zero, independantly of the micro computer unit 1. A number of successful counts are made which allows the micro computer unit 1 -mathematically to average them to increase the resolution accuracy of this system to a level in excess of that indicated by the chosen clock frequency .

If the received signal contains a portion of the transmitted signal returned from a distant object, the number counted is proportional to the time taken for the signal to travel from the device 26 to the object and back to the device. As the speed of light is a universal constant, the distance of the remote object can be directly deduced from the counted value.

To obtain an accurate measurement over a desired range employing the range finding system 7 illustrated in Figure 2, the object or target whose distance is to be measured must consist of a suitable reflective element. Such reflective element must return the incident beam in the direction it came for a wide range of incident angles and with good efficiency, and may consist of, for example, a pentagonal corner cube reflector or optical glass beads provided in a suitable plastics medium. Such a system will have a resolution of less than 5 metres in a range greater than 100 metres, although typically the range will exceed 250 metres.

If desired, a greater measurement accuracy can be obtained by employing a light pulse of less than 50 nanoseconds duration.

Figure 3 shows the external appearance of a preferred embodiment of the device 26 of the present invention. This comprises an injection moulded plastics casing which is ergonomically designed to be hand held during use. To ensure reliable use on the golf course, the unit is fully showerproof and shock resistant. The display 2, is used to give instructions and information for the user and the keypad 3 is provided for inputting the users responses. The keypad shown consists of seventeen keys, ten of which are respectively assigned to the numbers 0 to 9, the remaining keys 27 to 32 being allocated to the functions ENTER, CLEAR, RECALL, ON/OFF, SCORE, RANGE and CLUB TIPS, respectively. The device is intended to be battery powered and a removable cover is provided (not shown) to permit insertion and removal of batteries.

In the present preferred embodiment, the distance obtained by the range finder system 7 is employed by the micro-computer unit 1 in the following selectable functions: a) to provide a suggestion as to which is the best club to use for a shot based on the range of personal data previously entered by the user via the keypad 3 and optionally also the range finding system 7 stored in the non-volatile memory 5 and/or data permanently stored in the device in the ROM 6; b) to enable the performance of one or more intereactive training exercises, in which the user is instructed to go through a series of actions, and c) in building up a personal data base for the user which is used, for example, in giving club selection tips. a) Club selection

The device is able to provide suggestions via the LCD display 2 on which club to select based on- the data obtained from the range finding system 7 as to how far the ball has to be hit, a range of personal data stored in the non volatile memory^" 5 as to the user's abilities and previous performance and standard empirical data stored in ROM 6. The device can also provide club selection tips based on a distance entered via the keypad 3. A different algorithm is employed to arrive at a club selection tip depending on whether the user is using (i) their own performance database stored in the non-volatile memory 5 or (ii) the standard database in the ROM 6. i Club selection algorithm using the personal database

The required distance is input to the micro computer unit 1 and turned into the index for a data table by removing the least significant digit and subtracting four. The correct club selection tips are then found in the user's personal database stored in the non-volatile memory 5 indicated by the index just calculated. ii Club selection algorithm when using the standard database The required distance is input to the micro computer unit 1 and turned into the index for a data table by removing the least significant digit and subtracting four. This index is modified by a user entered "power level table" by means of the keypad 3. If the power level variable is set for a powerful player, one is subtracted from the index and if the power level is set for weaker players, one is added to the index. This new index, along with the users handicap (previously entered into the non-volatile memory 5 or, alternatively, supplied via the keypad 3) , identifies the correct club selection tip from the standard database held in the ROM 6.

In this preferred embodiment, the club tip suggestion is limited to several different subsets of the full set of golf clubs depending on the users handicap, or the users handicap and other personal data stored in the memory 5. This feature is based on the empirical data stored in the ROM 6. b) Training exercises

The device 26 also has one or more interactive training exercises stored in the ROM 6. These instruct the user by means of the LCD device 2 to go through a series of actions and then enter certain data about the outcome of these actions. The device then provides an analysis of the users performance and a reference against which to strive during training which is stored in the non-volatile memory 5. Distance data supplied by the range finding system 7 is employed in these training exercises. In the present embodiment of the present invention, three training exercises are built into the ROM 6, which are detailed below, i) Yardage exercise.

In this, the user is instructed to hit a plurality of balls with a chosen club while standing next to a suitable target which preferably consists of a training target 25 comprising a reflector 34 mounted on a stand 35 (see Fig. 4) supplied with the device 26 for use during training exercises. After striking the balls, the user then walks to each ball in turn and by holding the device vertically above the ball, and pressing the RANGE button 32 measures the distance of the ball from the training target 25 by means of the range finding system 7. Once the distance of the last of- the balls has been measured, the CLEAR button 28 is pressed and the microcomputer unit 1 calculates the average distance of the balls and this is displayed by the LCD display 2 and transferred to the users personal database in the non-volatile memory 5 ii) Accuracy exercises.

These consist of two distict sections (1) shooting towards the training target 25 and (2) shooting away from the training target 25.

1) Shooting towards the training target.

In this the user drops a plurality of balls in a random pattern a desired distance from the training target 25. The RANGE button 32 is pressed to activate the range finding system

7 to determine the distance of the training target 25 from the balls, and this is stored in the RAM 4. The user then attempts to hit the balls as close to the training target as possible. Once this is completed, the distance from each ball to the training target is determined using the inbuilt range finding system 7. On pressing the CLEAR button 28, this information is then fed automatically to an accuracy rating calculating function in the microcomputer unit 1 to determine an accuracy rating. This may then be stored in the users personal database in the non volatile memory 5.

It is also possible, rather than measuring the full distance using the range finding system 7, to enter an estimate of the distance each ball is from the training target 25, simply, but not necessarily, in the form of a number of strides each ball is from the training target 25, and then using the CLEAR button 28 to indicate that all values.have been entered. In this case, the estimated distance of the ball is employed by the microcomputer unit to determine the accuracy rating. 2) Shooting away from the training target

In this exercise, the user selects a suitable aiming point to shoot at, for example, a clump of grass or a tree. Standing next to the training target 25, the user hits a series of golf balls at the selected aiming point and then walks to the aiming point and employs the range finding system 7 to measure the distance between it and the training target 25 by pressing the RANGE button 32. The user then enters the distance of each ball from the chosen aiming point, typically, though not solely in the form of the number of paces between them, pressing the CLEAR button 28 to indicate the last value has been entered. Alternatively, the distance between each ball and the training target 25 is measured by the range finding system 7 and fed automatically to the accuracy rating calculating function in the microcomputer unit 1 to calculate the accuracy rating, iii) Rough lie exercise.

This is essentially the same as the accuracy exercise b(i) indicated above except that the user is instructed to drop the balls in a bad lie and one of the factors in the accuracy rating calculation is changed to take account of the increased difficulty in producing accurate shots from a bad lie.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the accuracy rating is obtained by averaging the distances entered in the microcomputer unit 1 and dividing by the distance between the chosen aiming point and the point from which the user hits the golf ball. The result is then multiplied•by an empirically derived constant and the resulting value taken away from an empirically derived constant. The result is expressed as a percentage. In another preferred embodiment, the calculation includes, but is not limited to, a weighted mean or median instead of a mathematical average. Further, a subset of all the balls hit by the user can be used for the calculation, c) Personal database

Details regarding how far a user can repeatedly hit the golf ball for a given club is entered into the microcomputer unit 1 via the keypad 3 or the range finding system 7 or a combination of both. This data is processed by the microcomputer unit 1 and stored in the non-voltatile memory 5 and forms a users personal database which can be used by the device in giving, for example, club selection tips. The user can update the database at anytime, except while actually playing a round of golf or undertaking some of the training exercises.

In this embodiment of the invention, the user only has to enter the distance that he can repeatedly hit a ball with a single club, the rest of the users personal database being ca. αlated from this piece of information. The entered distance is converted into a club tip index as previously described. The club chosen is converted to the data format of the club selection tip associated with that club and this data is compared with the equivalent entry in the standard database in ROM 6 for the users entered handicap. The discrepancy between the two is then used to scale the relevant section of the standard database to produce the personal database.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the personal database is built up directly by entries made by the user. Each entry made is processed as described above and then stored directly in the associated memory location in the non¬ volatile memory 5. In this case, the database might be incomplete when interrogated by the club selection function, and for this reason, the club selection function in this embodiment has the ability to infer missing data from the data that is presenr. in the database. This is done by assuming that each less lofted club produces 10 yards (9.144 metres) less ball travel.

The present embodiment of the invention has further functions not directly employing its range finding capabilities, namely: i) information regarding each hole on one or more golf courses may be entered by the user and stored in the non¬ volatile memory 5. This information can be recalled whenever the user wishes to play a golf course whose data is stored. ii) the ROM 6 provides the device with a function enabling the calculation of the number of strokes a handicapped player is allowed to take on any given hole according to the current rules of golf and the important accepted forms of play. iii) the device is able to store score details for up to four players in the RAM , including the score for each player on each hole. The device is able to display a summary of each players total score and a simple analysis of their performance and relevant points during the round of golf. Any of the stored scores may be recalled at almost anytime prior to the next round of golf. iv) as already described the device will provide suggestions on which is the best club to select per shot based on distance information entered via the keypad, along with the personal data previously entered in the non voltatile memory 5 by the user and/or data permanently stored in the ROM 6. v) as already described, the device provides interactive training exercises in which the input of distances may be undertaken by means of the keypad 3 using a rough estimate based on, for example, the number of strides between ball and target. vi) as already described the device will allow the user to build up a personal data base in non-volatile memory 5 via the keypad 3. i) Golf course database.

The present embodiment of the device is adapted to store a range of details about one or more golf courses in its non¬ volatile memory 5. This information can then be recalled whenever the user wants to play a golf course whose data is stored in the device. As the user progresses around the golf course, the relevant hole data is automatically selected and used as the basis of certain of the devices indicated functions, most notably, the stroke allowance calculation and the performance analysis sections of the score keeping function to be described below. The details can be recorded during a round of golf or at any other time the user desires. The details the device can store include, but are not limited to: the par for each hole; the stroke index of. each hole, and the yardage of each hole, ii) Strokes allowed calculation function. The device is adapted to calculate the number of strokes a handicapped player is allowed to take on any given hole according to the current rules of golf and the important accepted forms of play, including but not limited to, some or all of the following atchplay, strokeplay, stableford and greensome, each in their respective, (where applicable) singles, threeball, fourball, threesome, foursome and best-ball formats. The microcomputer unit 1 calculates the stroke allowances for the user and any or all of the other members of the group. If the group is playing a course which is part of the users golf course database, this calculation can be performed automatically at the start of each hole. For other courses, the microcomputer unit calculates the strokes allowed as soon as the user has entered the par and stroke index for that hole. For this section, it is necessary for the user to have his handicap stored in the units non-volatile memory 5 and information regarding the handicaps of other members of the group must be input to the RAM 4. iii) Score keeping.

The device is adapted to keep full scoring details for up to four players which, in preferred embodiments of the invention include, but are not limited to: a) the number of shots each player took on each hole played; b) the total par for the holes played; c) the total number of shots each player took for the complete round; d) the total number of shots each player was ahead or behind of th_ par for the holes played on the round; e) the number of shots the user should have taken for the complete round played; f) a detailed performance analysis of the round so far, which might include some or all of the data listed above as well as additional data, for the primary user, and g) a performance analysis at the completion of a round, which might include some or all of the data listed above as well as additional data for the players other than the primary user.

For each of the items listed above, it is assumed that all players whose scores are being kept for any given round of golf will play exactly the same holes on their rounds. At any point in a round of golf or at anytime up to the start of the next round of golf, the device will be used to keep the scores of the players and permit recall of the scores of any of the players on any given hole by pressing the RECALL button 29 and specifying the relevant information required in response to prompts on the LCD display 2.

Claims

1. A device for determining a golf play parameter comprising means for measuring distance to an object, which means comprise transmitting means for transmitting electromagnetic radiation to the object; receiving means for receiving the electromagnetic radiation reflected back by said object, and means for determining the distance to the object with reference to the radiation transmitted and the reflected radiation received; the device further comprising memory means containing data regarding at least one golf play parameter determined by distance to the object; processing means for interogating the memory means to provide a play parameter dictated by the distance determined, and interface means for indicating the play parameter obtained.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the distance to the object is determined by measuring the elapse of time between transmission of the electromagnetic radiation and reception of the reflected radiation.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the electromagnetic radiation is in the infrared waveband.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the transmitting means comprise a collimated laser diode.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 4 wherein the receiving means comprise a PIN photo diode.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the object is a reflector.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a keypad connected with the processing means for the input of data related to play and the actuation of given functions.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the memory means comprise a read only memory and a non-volatile memory, said non-volatile memory being provided for storage of data regarding a users play performance derived by the processing means from data input via the keypad and/or the distance measuring means.

9. A device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the read only memory contains a club selection database, and program instructions and algorithms by which the processing means determine the appropriate club for a given distance.

10. A device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the processing means determine the appropriate club with reference to data regarding the personal performance of the user stored in the non-volatile memory.

11. A device as claimed in claim 1, 7, 8, 9 or 10 wherein the memory means also contains program instructions for interactive training exercises, player performance analysis and/or score keeping.

12. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the interface means are also provided to indicate the distance measured to the object.

13. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 13 wherein the interface means comprise a visual display device.