Location-based golf information systems and methods

Abstract

Methods, apparatus and systems for recording game statistics, and providing information to a golfer that is relevant to playing a particular golf course. In some embodiments, a PDA-unit may be obtained at a golf course, and then personalized for that golfer by downloading that golfer's statistical and other relevant information into the PDA-unit. In some embodiments, the data collected by the PDA-unit during play is transferred to a service provider. In turn, the service provider may forward the data to any location subsequently requested by a user.

1 . A method of operating a golf information device, comprising: 
 receiving personalization information;    receiving a query;    determining, if the query is a distance to a next pin query, the distance between the golf information device and a next pin, and generating an output indicative of the distance to the next pin; and    determining, if the query is a distance to course features query, the distance between the golf information device and at least one course feature;    generating an output, if the query is a pro tips query, where the output presents pre-determined recommendations for playing at least one portion of a particular golf course;    receiving a command;    scanning, if the command is a scan golf club command, a golf club; and    photographing, if the command is a take a photograph command, a scene.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the distance between the golf information device and a next pin comprises determining the present location coordinates of the golf information device, retrieving the location coordinates of the next pin, and calculating a vector from the present location to the next pin location.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein determining the present location coordinates of the golf information device comprises at least one of receiving at least latitude and longitude data from a GPS receiver; receiving at least latitude and longitude data from a differential GPS receiver; terrestrial RF triangulation; and RF communication, in accordance with the 802.11 family of communication specifications, between at least one 802.11 access point and the golf information device.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving personalization information comprises downloading a registered user's golf statistics from a service provider to the golf information device.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving a query comprises at least one of activating a touch screen of the golf information device; actuating a mechanical switch of the golf information device; and actuating a transducer of the golf information device.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein actuation of the transducer occurs in the presence of voice input.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving a command comprises at least one of activating a touch screen of the golf information device; actuating a mechanical switch of the golf information device; and actuating a transducer of the golf information device.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein actuation of the transducer occurs in the presence of voice input.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein scanning comprises reading a bar code disposed on the golf club.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein scanning comprises generating an RF energization field, and receiving a transmission from an RFID tag disposed on the golf club.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein scanning comprises producing a digitized image of the golf club, and processing the digitized image to determine a golf club identification associated with the golf club.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein photographing a scene further comprises digitally imaging the scene and the storing the digital data representing the scene.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the scan golf club command comprises ate least one of actuation of a mechanical switch, and actuation of a transducer.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the take a photograph command comprises at least one of actuation of a mechanical switch, and actuation of a transducer.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 displaying a graphical representation of a portion of a golf course, where that portion of the golf course includes a current location of the golf information device and further includes the location of the next green; and    updating the display as the current location of the golf information device changes.    
   
   
       16 . A method of operating a golf information service provider server computer, comprising: 
 receiving a log-in request from a registered user;    transmitting personalization information for downloading into a golf information device;    receiving updated game statistics originating from the personalized golf information device;    transmitting a command to the golf information device to delete personalization information;    processing updated game statistics; and    transmitting a summary of processed information in accordance with a rule set supplied by a registered user.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising transmitting a security key for downloading to the golf information device.  
   
   
       18 . A method of operating a golf information system, comprising: 
 transmitting a log-in request from a client computer to a server computer;    receiving the log-in request and transmitting personalization information from the server computer to the client computer;    transferring personalization information from the client computer to a golf information device communicatively coupled to the client computer;    recording game statistics on the personalized golf information device; and    transferring game statistics from the personalized golf information device to the client computer, and from the client computer to the server computer;    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising transmitting a security key from the server computer to the client computer for downloading to the golf information device.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the golf information device returning to a non-personalized state subsequent to recording game statistics being received by the server computer.