US3665494A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Golf computer
Assignee: Controlotron Corp
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Filing: 1970-03-02
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Granted: 1972-05-23
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Expires: 1990-03-02
Abstract
Abstract The unit computes the handicap of a golfer from information corresponding to golf score and course rating entered on a punchcard. The machine performs its function by reading the information stored on the card and by using solid-state and electro mechanical devices to derive the handicap defined by the United States Golf Association. This handicap may then be permanently recorded on the punchcard and may additionally actuate a display panel. One embodiment of the invention provides the handicap by direct computation, while a second embodiment establishes the handicap by comparison with a memory table. Each arrangement, however, affords the advantages of almost instant computation, and with equal accuracy to that obtainable through pencil and paper computation.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph Baumoel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 23:12
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B57/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
A digital computer for determining a golfer''s handicap with respect to a selected standard of proficiency, comprising: first settable means for generating electrical signals representative of the gross score A posted by a player over a completed round of golf in accordance with the setting of said first means; second settable means For generating electrical signals representative of the course rating B for the golf course at which the completed round of golf has been played, in accordance with the setting of said second means; third means coupled to first and second means for generating intermediate signals representative of the value 10(A+10-B) which represents a differential value; card means for storing binary coded representations of differential scores; means for receiving said card means; means coupled to said third means for punching the differential value generated by said third means into said card means; fourth means for generating first output signals representing the sum of selected ones of the differential values contained in said card means, said fourth means including means for generating a second output signal representative of the number N of differential values summed, with N being an integer at least equal to 1; and fifth means coupled to said fourth means for generating an output representing the golf handicap to the nearest whole number.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
A digital computer for determining a golfer''s handicap with respect to a selected standard of proficiency, comprising: first settable means for generating electrical signals representative of the gross score A posted by a player over a completed round of golf in accordance with the setting of said first means; second settable means For generating electrical signals representative of the course rating B for the golf course at which the completed round of golf has been played, in accordance with the setting of said second means; third means coupled to first and second means for generating intermediate signals representative of the value 10(A+10-B) which represents a differential value; card means for storing binary coded representations of differential scores; means for receiving said card means; means coupled to said third means for punching the differential value generated by said third means into said card means; fourth means for generating first output signals representing the sum of selected ones of the differential values contained in said card means, said fourth means including means for generating a second output signal representative of the number N of differential values summed, with N being an integer at least equal to 1; and fifth means coupled to said fourth means for generating an output representing the golf handicap to the nearest whole number.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The digital computer of claim 1 wherein said second means generates the signal information B in binary coded decimal fashion to the nearest tenths and wherein said third means includes means for multiplying the signals representing the expression (A+10-B) by a decimal factor of 10 to provide intermediate signal information in whole numbers only.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The digital computer of claim 2 wherein said first and second means each provide signal information in binary form and wherein one of said first and second means includes means for adding a decimal factor of 10 to its set value to provide intermediate signal information of a positive quantity only.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
90 words
The digital computer of claim 3 wherein said fourth means includes logic circuitry for counting the total number of differential values stored in said card means and for directing the summation of the N lowest values of 10 (A+10-B) in response thereto according to the following table: Total Number of N Lowest Values Rounds Completed Summed 6 1 6 2 7 3 8 or 9 4 10 or 11 5 12 or 13 6 14 or 15 7 16 or 17 8 18 or 19 9 20 and above 10
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
179 words
The digital computer of claim 4 wherein said fifth means includes: first logic circuitry for generating signals which represent the multiplication of said first output signal by a predetermined factor C; second logical circuitry for generating signals which represent a division of the output of said first logic circuitry by N; third logic circuitry for generating signals representing a modification of the output of said second logic circuitry in accordance with the expression: where X the golf handicap indication to the nearest whole number; C a factor established by golf association rules, and is 85 when handicap is to be determined in accordance with United States Golf Association standards where handicap is based on 85 percent of a player''s golf average over a minimum number of five rounds; 3.5 an added sum to prevent sign reversal of the handicap in the computation and to enable the obtaining of handicap by dropping the least significant decimals of the computation; and Sigma N 10(A+10-B) the total of the N lowest values of 10 (A+10-B) summed by direction of said fourth means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
82 words
The digital computer of claim 4 wherein said fifth means includes logic circuitry for Storing a plurality of values each being of a magnitude so as to lie between successive whole number sums of differential values over the range of possible differential values, and means for sequentially comparing said stored values against the output of said fifth means for generating a golf handicap indication as soon as the output of one of said stored values exceeds the output of said fifth means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The digital computer of claim 1 wherein there is also included sixth means responsive to said fifth means to provide a visually readable indication of the handicap so computed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
The digital computer of claim 7 wherein said card means includes a punchcard having a punched pattern representative of the player''s differentials and wherein said punching means is responsive to the entry of the last golf score and course rating indications to provide a punched pattern in said punchcard representative of the player''s differential as of completion of his latest round of golf.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3277445A
Cited
US3550939A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-23 | 1975-11-22 | 1976-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-23 | 1979-11-22 | 1980-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-23 | 1983-11-22 | 1984-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |