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