UpLink Granted Golf Cart Control Patent Ensuring Carts Only Drive Where Allowed

This week UpLink was granted USPN 7239965 titled “Method and System for Golf Cart Control.” The ‘965 patent is incredibly broad and will undoubtedly be a valuable contribution to the UpLink patent portfolio.

The patent describes the invention as:

Golf cart movements at a golf course are controlled by a limited access controller that compares a golf cart’s GPS-determined position against a limited access map to restrict performance of inputs by the golf cart’s driver to the golf cart’s motor under predetermined conditions, such as if a golf cart enters or has a predetermined likelihood of entering a limited access area. The limited access controller inhibits motor responses, such as by preventing motor operation, limiting available motor speeds, or allowing motor operation only in a vector that removes the golf cart from the limited access area, such as operation in reverse. Golf carts of a golf course communicate with a base station that updates the limited access map by defining limited access area perimeters and allowable actions within a limited access area and that directly commands allowable motor operations. For example, golf carts are prohibited from entering green areas, are restricted to golf cart paths during cart-path-only periods, and are restricted to reduced speeds in driving hazard areas.

Easy to describe in words, but I am sure it took some computer geniuses to efficiently implement. Check out these figures from the patent.

I was amazed the first time that I played a course that implemented this technology. Congratulations UpLink!

David Dawsey – The Golf Lawyer