US5507485A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Golf computer and golf replay device
Assignee: Skyhawke Technologies LLC
•
Filing: 1994-04-28
•
Granted: 1996-04-16
•
Expires: 2014-04-28
Abstract
Abstract A portable computer to facilitate the game of golf is programmed to record a golfer's score and keep track of various shots and the results of related wagering. Based upon such data and data regarding the layout of the golf course, the computer can provide real time recommendations for club selection as well as providing a summary of the results of a round of golf. Also, the computer can receive global positioning system (GPS) signals to locate a golf ball within a golf course.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald Fisher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:01
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B71/00; A63B71/06; A63B69/00; A63B69/36; A63B69/3605; A63B2071/0691; A63B2102/00; A63B2102/32; A63B2220/00; A63B2220/10; A63B2220/12; A63B2220/13; A63B2220/14; A63B2220/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 64
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A portable golf computer comprising: display means for displaying scenes representative of the geographic layout of a golf course; memory means for storing dam representative of said scenes for each hole on the golf course; said data stored in said memory means including data representative of three different views for each hole, including: (i) the entirety of said hole, (ii) the approach to a green associated with said hole, and (iii) the green including said hole; locator means for automatically determining the current location of the portable computer on the golf course; and processor means, coupled to said locator means, display means and memory means, for causing said display means to display a selected one of said three views and data of the particular hole as determined by its current location on the golf course.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A portable golf computer comprising: display means for displaying scenes representative of the geographic layout of a golf course; memory means for storing dam representative of said scenes for each hole on the golf course; said data stored in said memory means including data representative of three different views for each hole, including: (i) the entirety of said hole, (ii) the approach to a green associated with said hole, and (iii) the green including said hole; locator means for automatically determining the current location of the portable computer on the golf course; and processor means, coupled to said locator means, display means and memory means, for causing said display means to display a selected one of said three views and data of the particular hole as determined by its current location on the golf course.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 1, further comprising input means coupled to said processor means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 2, wherein said input means comprises a keyboard or keypad.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 2, wherein said input means comprises a cursor pointing device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 2, wherein said input means includes means for inputting stroke data to said computer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 2, wherein said input means includes means for inputting betting data to said computer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 2, wherein said input means includes means for inputting wind speed or direction to said computer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 2, wherein said input means includes means for inputting ambient temperature to said computer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 1, wherein said display means comprises a flat-panel LCD display.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 1, wherein said display means includes means for displaying data indicative of the number of shots taken by a golfer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 6, wherein said display means includes means for displaying updated betting totals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 1, wherein said display means includes means for displaying commercial messages.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 1, wherein said display means includes means for displaying a video image.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 1, wherein said display means includes means for displaying the calculated position of a golf ball.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 1, further comprising a removable and writable memory card, coupled to said processor means, wherein said portable golf computer writes data to said memory card during or after a game of golf.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 15, wherein said removable memory card stores scoring and betting data.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 15, wherein said removable memory card stores scoring data from a plurality of individual games.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
96 words
A portable golf computer comprising: display means for displaying scenes representative of the geographic layout of a golf course; memory means for storing data representative of a plurality of said scenes for each hole on the golf course; position sensing means for automatically sensing the location of the portable golf computer on said golf course; and processor means, responsive to said position sensing means, for causing said display means to automatically display a particular one of the scenes for a particular hole as determined by the sensed location of the portable golf computer at said hole.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
96 words
A portable golf computer comprising: display means for displaying scenes representative of the geographic layout of a golf course; memory means for storing data representative of a plurality of said scenes for each hole on the golf course; position sensing means for automatically sensing the location of the portable golf computer on said golf course; and processor means, responsive to said position sensing means, for causing said display means to automatically display a particular one of the scenes for a particular hole as determined by the sensed location of the portable golf computer at said hole.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
108 words
A portable golf computer comprising: display means for displaying scenes representative of the geographic layout of a golf course; memory means for storing data representative of a plurality of said scenes for each hole on the golf course; position sensing means for sensing the location of the portable golf computer on said golf course; processor means, responsive to said position sensing means, for causing said display means to display a particular one of the scenes for a particular hole as determined by the sensed location of the portable golf computer at said hole; and said position sensing means receives a signal from at least one earth orbiting satellite.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
108 words
A portable golf computer comprising: display means for displaying scenes representative of the geographic layout of a golf course; memory means for storing data representative of a plurality of said scenes for each hole on the golf course; position sensing means for sensing the location of the portable golf computer on said golf course; processor means, responsive to said position sensing means, for causing said display means to display a particular one of the scenes for a particular hole as determined by the sensed location of the portable golf computer at said hole; and said position sensing means receives a signal from at least one earth orbiting satellite.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 18, wherein said position sensing means receives a signal from at least one transmitter positioned on the golf course.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 18, wherein said position sensing means receives a signal from at least one transmitter embedded in the earth.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
45 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 18, wherein said position sensing means comprises: means for determining the location of the portable golf computer on the golf course; and means for determining the location of a golfer relative to the location of said computer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 18, wherein said memory means includes data indicative of a golfer's skill for using at least one of a multiplicity of golf clubs.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
42 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 23, wherein said processor means includes means to recommend the use of one of said golf clubs in response to (a) said data indicative of a golfer's skill and (b) said position sensing means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
64 words
A portable golf computer comprising: memory means for storing stroke, betting, and course data; input means for inputting said stroke and betting data; locator means for automatically determining the location of the portable computer on the golf course; processor means for computing, based on said stroke, betting and course dam, score(s) and betting total(s); and display means for displaying said score(s) and betting totals.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
64 words
A portable golf computer comprising: memory means for storing stroke, betting, and course data; input means for inputting said stroke and betting data; locator means for automatically determining the location of the portable computer on the golf course; processor means for computing, based on said stroke, betting and course dam, score(s) and betting total(s); and display means for displaying said score(s) and betting totals.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 25, wherein said input means comprises a keyboard or keypad.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 25, wherein said input means comprises a cursor pointing device.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
49 words
A portable golf computer comprising: memory means for storing stroke, betting, and course data; input means for inputting said stroke and betting data; processor means for computing, based on said stroke, betting and course data, score(s) and betting total(s); and said memory means also stores individual player handicap data.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
49 words
A portable golf computer comprising: memory means for storing stroke, betting, and course data; input means for inputting said stroke and betting data; processor means for computing, based on said stroke, betting and course data, score(s) and betting total(s); and said memory means also stores individual player handicap data.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
33 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 28, wherein said processor means uses said handicap data in computing said score(s) and betting total(s), and further comprises means to update said handicap data.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 25 wherein said memory means is removable.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 30 wherein said memory means is readable by a central computer suitable for tracking the performance of multiple golfers.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
28 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 25 wherein an element contained within said memory means is transferable to at least one remote site by infrared radiation.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
30 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 25 wherein an element contained within said memory means is transferable to at least one remote site by a wireless data link.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
27 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 25 wherein an element contained within said memory means is transferable to at least remote site by luminescent radiation.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
29 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 25 wherein an element contained within said memory means is transferable to at least one remote site by an energy pathway.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
121 words
A golf replay apparatus comprising: a portable golf computer means for use on a golf course for recording information of an individual player's actual performance while a player plays a game of golf on the golf course; and a replay means, responsive to said recorded information, for interactively reenacting said game of golf on an electronic display including, means for using an alternate club for at least one stroke and determining the potential effect of such change on the previously played actual performance on the golf course; said replay means altering the result of the player's performance on the hole for which an alternate club has been selected while retaining the player's prior performance on all previously and subsequently played holes.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
121 words
A golf replay apparatus comprising: a portable golf computer means for use on a golf course for recording information of an individual player's actual performance while a player plays a game of golf on the golf course; and a replay means, responsive to said recorded information, for interactively reenacting said game of golf on an electronic display including, means for using an alternate club for at least one stroke and determining the potential effect of such change on the previously played actual performance on the golf course; said replay means altering the result of the player's performance on the hole for which an alternate club has been selected while retaining the player's prior performance on all previously and subsequently played holes.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
23 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 1, wherein said locator means receives a signal from at least one earth orbiting satellite.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
133 words
A portable golf computer for indicating the user's location on a golf course, comprising: display means for displaying information representative of the layout of a selected individual hole of a golf course; means for inputting the daily tee positions at each hole of the golf course; memory means for storing data representative of a plurality of parameters for each hole on the golf course, including the daily tee positions; position sensing means which receives a signal from at least one earth orbiting satellite for automatically determining the location of the portable golf computer on the golf course; and processor means, responsive to said position sensing means, for causing said display means to display information of said individual hole as referenced to the automatically determined current location of the user on the golf course.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
133 words
A portable golf computer for indicating the user's location on a golf course, comprising: display means for displaying information representative of the layout of a selected individual hole of a golf course; means for inputting the daily tee positions at each hole of the golf course; memory means for storing data representative of a plurality of parameters for each hole on the golf course, including the daily tee positions; position sensing means which receives a signal from at least one earth orbiting satellite for automatically determining the location of the portable golf computer on the golf course; and processor means, responsive to said position sensing means, for causing said display means to display information of said individual hole as referenced to the automatically determined current location of the user on the golf course.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
27 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 38, wherein said display means indicates approaching topographical hazards along the selected hole, and the distance to said hazards.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
30 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 38, further including means to formulate the user's route of successive strokes to reach the green from the automatically determined current location.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
21 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 38, further including means for inputting individual player information into said memory means.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
36 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 41, further including means to formulate the individual player's route of successive strokes to reach the green, based on the individual player's skills and automatically determined current location.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
18 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 38, further including means for inputting the daily cup positions.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
25 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 38, further including means for measuring wind speed or direction and inputting same to said processor means.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
22 words
A portable golf computer as defined in claim 38, further including means for measuring ambient temperature and inputting same to said processor.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
36 words
A portable golf computer as set forth in claim 42, further including club selection means for advising the player of the specific golf club to be used while following the formulated route for the individual player.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
41 words
A portable golf computer as set forth in claim 46, further including means for measuring wind speed or direction and inputting same to said processor means, and wherein said club selection means is adjusted for the measured wind speed or direction.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
36 words
A portable golf computer as set forth in claim 46, further including means for measuring ambient temperature and inputting same to said processor, and wherein said club selection means is adjusted for the measured ambient temperature.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
94 words
A mobile computer affixed to a movable object for indicating the current location of said movable object within a golf course, comprising: a GPS receiver carried by said movable object as it traverses about the golf course; said GPS receiver adapted to receive signals from a plurality of earth orbiting satellites within the GPS system and processing said signals to accurately determine its current location within the golf course, means for inputting and updating individual player's performance, and said mobile computer further including means for communicating player's performance and its GPS determined current location.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
94 words
A mobile computer affixed to a movable object for indicating the current location of said movable object within a golf course, comprising: a GPS receiver carried by said movable object as it traverses about the golf course; said GPS receiver adapted to receive signals from a plurality of earth orbiting satellites within the GPS system and processing said signals to accurately determine its current location within the golf course, means for inputting and updating individual player's performance, and said mobile computer further including means for communicating player's performance and its GPS determined current location.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
16 words
A mobile computer as defined in claim 49 wherein said movable object is a golf cart.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
20 words
A mobile computer as defined in claim 50, wherein said means for communicating current location includes a visual display means.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
18 words
A mobile computer as set forth in claim 49, further including a wireless link to a central location.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for providing a golf course visual display which includes the current location of a movable object on the golf course and assists the golfer's performance on the golf course, including the steps of: affixing a GPS receiver to the movable object; processing signals received by the GPS receiver from a plurality of earth orbiting satellites within the GPS system to accurately determine its current location within the golf course; presenting the current location to a processor means; presenting the processor means with information representative of the individual player's skill; communicating the current location of the movable object to a visual display; processing the information presented to the processor to provide the player with assistance for completing played on the then being play particular hole; and modifying the visual display to display information including assistance for completing play on the particular hole from the current location of the movable object.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for providing a golf course visual display which includes the current location of a movable object on the golf course and assists the golfer's performance on the golf course, including the steps of: affixing a GPS receiver to the movable object; processing signals received by the GPS receiver from a plurality of earth orbiting satellites within the GPS system to accurately determine its current location within the golf course; presenting the current location to a processor means; presenting the processor means with information representative of the individual player's skill; communicating the current location of the movable object to a visual display; processing the information presented to the processor to provide the player with assistance for completing played on the then being play particular hole; and modifying the visual display to display information including assistance for completing play on the particular hole from the current location of the movable object.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
183 words
A portable golf computer comprising: display means for displaying scenes representative of the geographic layout of a golf course; memory means for storing data representative of said scene for each hole on the golf course; said data stored in said memory means including data representative of different locations for each hole, including: (i) the entirety of said hole, (ii) the distance on the fairway between the current location and the hole and (iii) the green including said hole; locator means which operates in conjunction with a signal means above the surface of and external of the fairway of the hole being played for determining the current location of the portable computer on the golf course; and processor means, coupled to said display means, locator means and memory means, for causing said display means to display a selected one of the scenes of a particular hole which is representative of the geographic layout of the golf course, as determined by the current location of the portable computer on the golf course in conjunction with data representative of the current location on the particular hole.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
183 words
A portable golf computer comprising: display means for displaying scenes representative of the geographic layout of a golf course; memory means for storing data representative of said scene for each hole on the golf course; said data stored in said memory means including data representative of different locations for each hole, including: (i) the entirety of said hole, (ii) the distance on the fairway between the current location and the hole and (iii) the green including said hole; locator means which operates in conjunction with a signal means above the surface of and external of the fairway of the hole being played for determining the current location of the portable computer on the golf course; and processor means, coupled to said display means, locator means and memory means, for causing said display means to display a selected one of the scenes of a particular hole which is representative of the geographic layout of the golf course, as determined by the current location of the portable computer on the golf course in conjunction with data representative of the current location on the particular hole.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3898437A
Cited
US4419655A
Cited
US4367526A
Cited
US4764666A
Cited
US5326095A
Cited
US4910677A
Cited
US5095430A
Cited
US5043889A
Cited
JPH03134715A
Cited
US5127044A
Cited
GB2249202A
Cited
US5261820A
Cited
US5271034A
Cited
US5245537A
Cited
US5364093A
Cited
WO1993012439A1
Cited
US5319548A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-04-16 | 1999-10-16 | 2000-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-04-16 | 2003-10-16 | 2004-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-04-16 | 2007-10-16 | 2008-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |