Everyone Wants a Piece of the Golf GPS Market (Including Qualcomm)

Qualcomm had an interesting patent application publish this week. The application published this week as US Pub. No. 20090082139 titled “Methods and Apparatus for Determining Distances to Selected Targets on a Golf Course Using a Wireless Communications Device,” which describes the invention as:

Devices, apparatus, systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for determining distances to targets, such as targets on a golf course using a wireless communication device. Wireless device implementation allows for existing devices to be configured with the requisite application to provide for golf course distance measuring capabilities according to the present aspects. Present aspects provide for accurate and automated determination of the distance to the target, such as a transitory target like a golf cup. Current aspects may utilize communication network-based and/or satellite based systems to determine the distance to the desired target and provide for automatic position/location fixes to be performed when a target, such as a golf cup, is moved to a new location.

I know, that is a pretty benign description from the Abstract of the application and it is hard to identify anything unique.

The application goes on to explain:

[0007] Current distance measuring devices and course markings are relegated to determining distance to the center of the golf green as opposed to the actual location of the golf cup. However, these measurements to the center of the green may be wrought with inaccuracy. Golf greens may not have a true “center,” and the distance from the “center” to the periphery of the green may be significant. For example, anything over a few yards may be deemed significant in the eyes of a golfer trying to assess a golf shot. Further, golf cups are transitory in nature, and are rarely placed in the exact center of a green. More often, the golf cup will be placed closer to the periphery of the green, nearer a hazard, to make the hole more challenging to the golfers.

[0008] With regard to the transitory nature of the golf cup, a greens keeper will change the location of the golf cup each day or every few days. This is done on two accounts: to lessen foot traffic around the cup and, thus, insure green integrity, and to make the hole more challenging. For example, in a four round golf tournament, the cup location is changed after every round to maximize the challenge presented to the golfers. As such, inaccuracies in determining the distance to a cup may be the difference in making a shot that lands within inches of the golf cup versus a shot that lands in a water hazard or bunker.

[0009] Further, for example, Global Positioning System (GPS) devices have been employed, either in handheld devices or incorporated in golf carts, to determine distances on a golf course. GPS devices use satellites to determine a position of the device based on triangulation type calculation. However, GPS devices can be limited to providing only the distance to the front, back, and center of the green as opposed to the actual location of the golf cup. Thus, such devices still require the golfer to make an interpolation and/or calculation as to the exact location of the golf cup on the green.

[0010] The use of golf cart based GPS-type systems by golf courses is very limited, due to the high overhead costs incurred in either retrofitting existing golf carts or purchasing entirely new and expensive golf carts. Additionally, golf cart based systems require the golf cart to be located proximate to the golf ball and, thus, in some situations, such as when the course prohibits carts leaving the cart paths due to wet ground or when the ball is located somewhere a cart is incapable of going, it would be impossible to receive accurate distance measurements.

[0011] A problem with current handheld GPS-type devices is that golf course information, such as the course layout, is preloaded on the device prior to playing a round of golf. Preloading requires the device to be docked or otherwise connected to a computer to download the requisite course information. If the golfer forgets to preload the course information or does not have ready access to a networked computer prior to playing a round, the GPS device is rendered useless for that particular round of golf.

[0012] Additionally, many of the handheld devices are standalone devices specifically dedicated to providing golf course information. Such devices are generally expensive in a number of respects. For example, such devices require the golfer to purchase the standalone device and further require the golfer to purchase and load the device with the proper information prior to the round of golf.

[0013] Therefore, a need exists for an improved system for measuring the distance on a golf course, specifically the distance from the current ball/shot location to the golf cup.

[0014] The following presents a simplified summary of one or more aspects in order to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects, and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all aspects nor delineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0015] Present aspects provide for methods, devices, systems, and computer program products for determining the distance to a target, such as a golf cup/hole on a golf course, and optionally to related targets on a golf course. Present aspects provide for accurate and automated determination of the distance to the target, e.g., golf cup, and optionally to related targets. Current aspects utilize a geographic positioning system, such as Global Positioning System (GPS) and/or communication network-based systems, to determine the distance to the target, e.g., golf cup. Further, when the target is moved according to a schedule, such as the golf cup being moved about the green on a regularly scheduled basis, present aspects provide for the system to automatically record the new location of the target, such as the golf cup, without requiring the greens keeper or any other golf course employee to perform a required action related to taking a location reading. In this regard, problems related to human error, such as the groundskeeper/employee failing to take a location reading on one or more holes or failing to properly use the equipment needed to take the location reading, can be minimized.

[0016] Additionally, present aspects provide for golf course information, such as the location of the golf cup, related targets, course layout, and the like, to be communicated via a wireless network, such as a cellular network, to a wireless device, such as a cellular telephone or the like. In this regard, the golfer/user may obtain golf course information at any point in time prior to or during a round of golf, obviating the need to pre-load golf course information via a wired connection to a communication network. In some aspects, the golf course information may be communicated automatically when the golfer/user is on or in the near vicinity of the course. An additional benefit of one or more of the present aspects is that the system can be configured to operate on an existing wireless device, such as a cellular telephone, thereby eliminating the need for the golfer/user to purchase or carry an additional device or for the GPS system to be installed in golf carts.

[0017] In one aspect, a method for determining distance to a golf cup on a golf course is provided. The method includes obt
aining a wireless device geographic location and a golf cup geographic location related to the one of the plurality of golf cups. The golf cup geographic location is determined based on occurrence of an automatic event, such as a predetermined event or the like. The method further includes obtaining a distance to the golf cup based on the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location and presenting the distance to the golf cup on the wireless device.

[0018] In one optional aspect of the method, the automatic event may include sensing a predetermined level of motion in the golf cup or the occurrence of a predetermined set time. In another aspect, the automatic event may be a predetermined time of day, which, upon occurrence, triggers location determination at the golf cup. The predetermined time of day will generally occur after the normal time of day at which the golf cups are moved to new locations on the golf hole green.

[0019] In yet another aspect of the method, the automatic event may be receipt of a remote trigger. For example, a network device/Position Determining Entity (PDE) may receive from a wireless device a trigger to perform location determination of a golf cup. In some aspects, the remote trigger is based on a user input to an input mechanism on the wireless device for requesting a distance to the golf cup measurement. In such aspects, the golf cup location determination may coincide with a wireless device location determination, such that both location determinations occur at substantially the same point in time. By conducting both the wireless device and the golf cup location determinations at substantially the same point in time inaccuracies in the location due to satellite positioning are viewed as being generally equivalent for each location determination.

[0020] In some aspects of the method, obtaining the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location and subsequent obtaining of the distance to the golf cup is automatic based on initiation of golf course distance measuring application. In other aspects of the method, obtaining the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location and subsequent obtaining of the distance to the golf cup is based on receiving a request, such as a user input, for the application to obtain a distance to the golf cup.

[0021] Additionally, in one aspect the method may automatically receive, at a wireless device, the golf course information. Automatic reception of the golf course information may be achieved by the system recognizing, via GPS or another location determination mechanism, that the wireless device is at or in the vicinity of a golf course that has been configured to implement the system of the present aspects. In addition, the system may provide for automatic recognition of the movement of the wireless device about the golf course, so that the system can provide distance to the cup and target information for any hole on the course without the need for user input.

[0022] In another optional aspect of the method, receiving the golf course information may further include receiving golf course information that includes the golf cup geographic location for the plurality of golf cups on the golf course and, thus, obtaining a golf cup geographic location may further include obtaining the golf course location from the golf course information. In alternate optional aspects of the method, obtaining the golf cup geographic location further comprises obtaining the golf cup geographic location by wirelessly communicating with a network device that stores current golf cup geographic location, after the request for distance is initiated.

[0023]An additional optional aspect of the method provides for executing a Geographic Positioning System (GPS)-based location-determination mode, such as Mobile Station (MS)-Based mode, Mobile Station (MS)-Assisted mode, and Standalone mode or a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS)-based location-determination mode to obtain the wireless device geographic location. Furthermore, the method may provide for executing a network-based location determination mode, such as Advanced Forward Link Trilateration (AFLT), Enhanced-Observed Time Difference (E-OTD) or the like.

[0024] In certain aspects of the method, obtaining a distance to the golf cup based on the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location further includes determining, at the wireless device, the distance to the golf cup based on the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location and, in alternate aspects, obtaining a distance to the golf cup further includes communicating with a wireless network device to obtain the distance to the cup.

[0025] In one optional aspect of the method, presenting the distance on the wireless device further includes presenting the distance on an output mechanism chosen from the group of output mechanisms consisting of a display, a speaker, and a Personal Area Network (PAN) transceiver, such as a Bluetooth.RTM. transceiver.

[0026] In one specific alternate aspect of the method presenting the distance to the golf cup may include presenting a first display that includes at least distance to the golf cup and a golf course hole number associated with the golf cup and presenting a second display that includes at least an overview of a golf course hole layout associated with the golf cup and distance to the one or more predetermined golf course targets. In other aspects, the method may include presenting additional displays of golf course information, such as a golf course green overview that provides distance to the golf cup and, in some aspects, gradient markings for the green.

[0027] Additionally, the method may include obtaining a geographic location of one or more predetermined golf course targets, wherein the golf course targets are associated with the one of the plurality of golf cups. Golf course targets can include area markings for hazards, such as water hazards, bunkers, and the like and area markings for the greens. The geographic location of the one or more predetermined golf course targets may be obtained from the golf course information and distance to the one predetermined golf course targets may be obtained based on the wireless device geographic location and the geographic location of the one or more predetermined golf course targets. Once the distance to any predetermined golf course target is obtained, the distance may be presented on the wireless device.

[0028] In alternate aspects of the method, additional information related to golf course, impending golf shot, and the environment may be obtained and presented to the user. For example, the elevation gradient between the wireless device and the golf cup may be obtained and presented in conjunction with presentation of the distance to the golf cup. Additionally, environmental conditions such as current temperature, current wind speed, current wind direction, current humidity, and the like may be obtained and presented on the wireless device.

[0029] In another optional aspect of the method, a directional vector may be determined and displayed on the wireless device. The directional vector indicates the direction from the wireless device to the golf cup and, as such, is instrumental if the golfer does not currently have line-of-sight to the golf hole. Further, the directional vector may be represented on the display in combination with additional target information, such as trees, bunkers, water hazards, etc., in order to assist the golfer in lining up the shot relative to other landmarks and/or to inform or assist the golfer with respect to targets along the shot line represented by the directional vector.

[0030] In yet another alternate aspect of the method, the obtained distance to the hole, as well as, alternate parameters, such as elevation, environmentals, and the like, may be communicated, wirelessly, to a remote assistance service, such as a remote golfer
professional service, and, in response, receiving golf swing advice or a golf tip from the remote assistance service. Additionally, the golfer may use the wireless device’s video camera feature to capture video of the golfer’s swing and communicate the golf video swing to the remote assistance service.

[0031] An alternate aspect is defined by at least one processor configured for determining golf cup distance on a golf course. The processor includes a first module for obtaining a wireless device geographic location and a golf cup geographic location related to one of a plurality of golf cups. The golf cup geographic location is determined based on occurrence of an automatic event, such as a predetermined event or the like. The processor additionally includes a second module for obtaining a distance to the golf cup based on the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location and a third module for presenting the distance to the golf cup on the wireless device.

[0032] A computer program product that includes a computer-readable medium provides for another alternate aspect. The medium includes at least one instruction for causing a computer to obtain a wireless device geographic location and a golf cup geographic location related to the one of the plurality of golf cups. The golf cup geographic location is determined based on occurrence of an automatic event, such as a predetermined event or the like. The medium also includes at least one instruction for causing a computer to obtain a distance to the golf cup based on the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location and at least one instruction for causing a computer present the distance to the golf cup on the wireless device.

[0033] A wireless communication device defines a further related aspect. The device includes means for obtaining a wireless device geographic location and a golf cup geographic location related to one of a plurality of golf cups. The golf cup geographic location is determined based on occurrence of an automatic event, such as a predetermined event or the like. The device also includes means for obtaining a distance to the golf cup based on the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location and means for presenting the distance to the golf cup on the wireless device.

[0034] A wireless device that includes a computer platform including at least one processor and a memory provides for another related aspect. The wireless device additionally includes a golf course distance measuring application that is stored in the memory and executable by the at least one processor. The application is operable to obtain a wireless device geographic location and a golf cup geographic location related to the one of the plurality of golf cups, obtain a distance to the golf cup based on the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location, and present the distance to the golf cup on the wireless device.

[0035] In accordance with the wireless device aspect, the golf cup geographic location is determined based on occurrence of an automatic event, such as a predetermined event or the like. In one aspect, the event may be the sensing of motion in one of the plurality of golf cups associated with the golf cup. Alternatively, the event may be the occurrence of a predetermined time of day for initiating the determination of the golf cup location, such as a time of day that occurs after the movement of the golf cup on the golf course green. In another aspect, the event may be receipt of a remote trigger, which may prompt location determination at the golf cup to occur at substantially the same point in time as location determination at the wireless device.

[0036] In one aspect of the device, the golf course distance measuring application is further operable to automatically obtain the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location and, subsequently, the distance to the golf cup based on initiation of golf course distance measuring application. In other aspects of the device, the golf course distance measuring application is further operable to receive a request, such as a user input, for the application to obtain a distance to the golf cup prior to obtaining the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location.

[0037] Another aspect is defined by a method for obtaining current golf cup geographic location at a network server. The method includes receiving, from a location-determining entity, an initial golf cup geographic location for a golf cup at a predetermined golf course and storing, in network memory, the initial golf cup geographic location as a current golf cup location. The method additionally includes receiving, from the location-determining entity, an update to the initial golf cup geographic location based on an occurrence of an automatic event, such as a predetermined event or the like, and storing, in memory, the update to the golf cup geographic location as the current golf cup location.

[0038] In alternate aspects of the method, the automatic event may include, but is not limited to, sensing a predetermined level of motion in at least one the golf cup, occurrence of a predetermined time of day, such as a set time preceding the movement of the golf cup to a new location on the golf course green and/or receipt of a remote trigger that may prompt location determination at the golf cup and at the wireless device to occur at substantially the same point in time.

[0039] The method may additionally include communicating, wirelessly, upon request, the current golf cup location to a wireless device. The golf cup location may be communicated to the wireless device in response to a request for information related to the golf course or in response to initiation of a golf cup distance request by the wireless device.

[0040] In one specific aspect of the method, the location-determining entity determines the initial golf cup location by executing a Mobile Station (MS)-Assisted Global Positioning System (GPS)-based location-determination routine or a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS)-based location-determination routine. In other aspects of the method, the location-determining entity determines the initial golf cup location by executing a network-based routine, such as Advanced Forward Link Trilateration (AFLT), Enhanced-Observed Time Difference (E-OTD) or the like. In some aspects, the location-determining entity may be external and remote from the network server and in other aspects, the location-determining entity may be internal to the network server.

[0041] The method may further include receiving a current wireless device geographic location from a wireless device, determining a distance to the golf cup based on the current wireless device geographic location and the current golf cup geographic location and communicating the distance to the cup to the wireless device.

[0042] In an alternate aspect, the method may include receiving, from a location-determining entity, geographic locations for one or more predetermined targets associated with the golf cup, storing, in the memory, the geographic locations for the one or more predetermined targets and communicating, wirelessly, the geographic location of the targets to the wireless device. Alternatively, the method may further include receiving a current wireless device geographic location from a wireless device, determining a distance to the one or more predetermined targets based on the current wireless device geographic location and the geographic location of the one or more targets and communicating the distance to the one or more targets to the wireless device. Predetermined targets may include golf course greens, water hazards, bunkers, and the like.

[0043] A related aspect is defined by at least one processor configured for obtaining current golf course cup geographic location at a network server. The processor includes a first module for receiving, from a location-determin
ing entity, an initial golf cup geographic location for a golf cup at a predetermined golf course and a second module for storing, in network memory, the initial golf cup geographic location as a current golf cup location. The processor additionally includes a third module for receiving, from the location-determining entity, an update to the initial golf cup geographic location based on an occurrence of an automatic event, such as a predetermined event or the like and a fourth module for storing, in network memory, the update to the golf cup geographic location as the current golf cup location.

[0044] A computer program product that includes a computer-readable medium defines a further related aspect. The medium includes at least one instruction for causing a computer to receive, from a location-determining entity, an initial golf cup geographic location for a golf cup at a predetermined golf course and at least one instruction for causing a computer to store, in network memory, the initial golf cup geographic location as a current golf cup location. The medium additionally includes at least one instruction for causing a computer to receive, from the location-determining entity, an update to the initial golf cup geographic location based on an occurrence of an automatic event, such as a predetermined event or the like and at least one instruction for causing a computer to store, in memory, the update to the golf cup geographic location as the current golf cup location.

[0045] Yet another related aspect is provided for by a network device. The device includes means for receiving, from a location-determining entity, an initial golf cup geographic location for a golf cup at a predetermined golf course and means for storing, in memory, the initial golf cup geographic location as a current golf cup location. The device additionally includes means for receiving, from the location-determining entity, an update to the initial golf cup geographic location based on an occurrence of an automatic event, such as a predetermined event or the like and means for storing, in memory, the update to the golf cup geographic location as the current golf cup location.

[0046] A network device that includes a computer platform including at least one processor and a memory defines a further related aspect. The device additionally includes a golf course target location and distance application stored in the memory and executable by the at least one processor. The application is operable to receive, from a location-determining entity, an initial golf cup geographic location for a golf cup at a predetermined golf course and store, in network memory, the initial golf cup geographic location as a current golf cup location. The application is additionally operable to receive, from the location-determining entity, an update to the initial golf cup geographic location based on an occurrence of an automatic event, such as a predetermined event or the like and store, in memory, the update to the golf cup geographic location as the current golf cup location.

[0047] In one or more alternate aspects, the automatic event may be sensing a predetermined level of motion in the golf cups, occurrence of a predetermined set time, such as a set time that occurs after the movement of the golf cup on the golf course green and/or receipt of a remote trigger at the golf cup or flagstick

[0048] The network device may further include a communications module operable to communicate, wirelessly, upon request, the current golf cup location to a wireless device, communicate the current golf cup location in response to a request for information related to the golf course, and/or communicate the current golf cup location in response to a request for the current golf cup location based on initiation of a golf cup distance request by the wireless device.

[0049] In an alternate aspect of the network device, the location-determining entity may be external to and remote from the network device or the location-determining means may be included in the network device.

[0050] In a further alternate aspect, the application may be operable to receive a wireless device position from the location determining entity or the wireless device, determine a distance to the golf cup based on the current wireless device geographic location and the current golf cup geographic location, and communicate the distance to the cup to the wireless device.

[0051] Yet another aspect is provided for by a system for determining the distance to a golf cup on a golf course. The system includes a plurality of asset tags. Each asset tag is located proximate a golf cup on a golf course. Each of the plurality of asset tags is operable to initiate the determination of a golf cup geographic location based on occurrence of an automatic event, such as a predetermined event or the like.

[0052] The system additionally includes a network device that includes a golf course target location and distance application. The application is operable to receive, from a location-determining entity, the golf cup geographic location, store the golf cup geographic location as a current golf cup location, receive, from the location-determining entity, an update to the golf cup geographic location based on the occurrence of the event, store, in memory, the update to the golf cup geographic location as the current golf cup location and communicate the current golf cup location.

[0053] The system additionally includes a wireless communication device that includes a golf course distance measuring application. The application is operable to wirelessly receive the current golf cup geographic location, receive a request to obtain a distance to the golf cup, obtain a wireless device geographic location based on the request, obtain a distance to the golf cup based on the wireless device geographic location and the golf cup geographic location and present the distance to the golf cup on the wireless device.

[0054] Yet another aspect is defined by a method for determining a distance to a target. The method includes obtaining, by a wireless device, a wireless device geographic location, and a target geographic location. The target comprises an asset tag and the target geographic location is determined automatically based on an occurrence of an event, such as a predetermined event or the like. The method further includes obtaining, by the wireless device, a distance to the target based on the wireless device geographic location and the target geographic location and presenting the distance to the target on the wireless device. The event may be defined as sensing of a predetermined level of motion associated with the target, as a predetermined time of day, a remote trigger, or the like.

[0055] A wireless device defines a further aspect. The wireless device includes a computer platform including at least one processor and a memory. The wireless device also includes a target distance measuring application stored in the memory and executable by the at least one processor. The application is operable to obtain a wireless device geographic location and a target geographic location, to obtain a distance to the target based on the wireless device geographic location and the target geographic location, and to present the distance to the target on the wireless device. The target comprises an asset tag and the target geographic location is determined automatically based on occurrence of an event, such as a predetermined event or the like.

[0056] Thus, present aspects provide for devices, apparatus, systems, methods and computer program products for determining distances to golf cups and associated predetermined targets on a golf course using a wireless communication device, such as a cellular telephone. Cellular telephone implementation allows for existing devices to be configured with the requisite application to provide the golf course distance measuring capabilities according to the present aspects. Present aspects provide for accurate and automated determination of the di
stance to the target, such as a golf cup. Current aspects use a geographic location determination system, such as GPS and/or communication network solutions, to determine the distance to the desired target and provide for automatic location/position fixes to be performed when a target, such as a golf cup, is moved to a new location, without requiring any human intervention. Additionally, present aspects provide for golf course information, such as course layout and the like, to be communicated via a wireless network, such as a cellular network, to the wireless device. In this regard, the golfer/user may obtain golf course information at any point in time prior to or during a round of golf, obviating the need to pre-load golf course information via a wired connection to a communication network.

Seems like a lot of the same, but I like the idea of a direction vector as discussed in paragraph [0029].

Dave Dawsey  – Keeping an Eye on Golf GPS Inventions

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