`
`(1., UK Patent Application (19. GB in, 2 249 2021.,A
`
`(43) Date of A publication 29.04.1992
`
`
`(51)
`INT CL‘
`(21) Application No 91203251
`A638 69/36 71/06, 6015 5/14, GOSF 15/20
`
`(22) Date of filing 24.09.1991
`
`(72)
`
`Inventor
`Fuke Osamu
`
`
`
`(30) Priority data
`(31) 03233946
`(32) 20.08.1991
`(33) JP
`02254851
`25.09.1990
`
`(71) Applicant
`
`Fuke Osamu
`630-138 Shibuml-cho, Tsu-Sht, Mia-Ken. Japan
`
`
`
`(74) Agent and/crAddress for Service
`Beresford & 00
`
`2-5 Warwick Court, High Holborn. London, WC1R 5DJ,
`
`United Kingdom
`
`
`(52) UK CL (Edition K)
`64A ADT AUX
`AGD D7B D130
`H4O D23X 0235 D264 D550 D561 D576 D580 D584
`U13 S1171
`
`(56) Documents cited
`WO 88100487 A1 US 4703444 A
`
`(58) Field of search
`UK CL(Edition K) 6411 ADT AUX, H40 DAB DPBC
`INT CL‘ A633, GOEF
`On-Iine database :W.P.l.
`
`(54) Golfing data recorder
`
`(57) Data on golf play is recorded by apparatus carried by a player and comprised of an input unit A, B to be operated by
`the player at each place where a stroke is played, a glabel-positioning-satellite (GPS) receiver unit, and a unit for measuring
`the locations of the apparatus by means of the GPS receiver in response to operation of the input unit and for storing the
`location. score and club selection data. The data stored may be displayed at 20. or transferred to a base computer after the
`game for processing and display of the successive play locations superimposed over a simulated map of a golf course. The
`apparatus may be mounted on the player's belt E.
`The GPS receiver may operate in conjunction with a fixed receiver at the clubhouse. to provide a differential
`positioning system of greater accuracy.
`Fig.1
`
`V8086173Z89
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 1
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 1
`
`
`
`Fig.1
`
`
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 2
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 2
`
`
`
`Fig.2
`
`
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 3
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 3
`
`
`
`5/{0
`
`Fig.3
`
`
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 4
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 4
`
`
`
`Fig.4_
`
`
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 5
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 5
`
`
`
`Fig.5
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 6
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 6
`
`
`
`zo_._.<.5a_zoo
`
`«8.0mm
`
`>moZmZ
`
`molpoum
`
`Ow
`
`2.520
`
`mahomm
`
`
`
`fi4m24¢904V
`
`ON
`
`207300;.
`
`mOHumm
`
`EmZmommmag
`
`Om
`
`zoC<mmao
`
`mOFomm
`
`Azotbm£me
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 7
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 7
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PARB
`
`XXXYARD
`
`
`
`
`Fig.7
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 8
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 8
`
`
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 9
`
`
`
`
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 10
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 10
`
`
`
`
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 11
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 11
`
`
`
`22492n3
`
`SPECIFICATION
`
`TITLE OF THE INVENTION
`
`APPARATUS FOR RECORDING DATA ON GOLF PLAY AND NETHOD FOR DISPLAYING
`
`THE DATA
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates to an apparatus for recording data on golf
`
`play to be carried by a golf player or caddy assistant and a method
`
`for displaying the same data or information therefrom with use of
`
`a suithle data processing installation.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
`
`It has been conventionally well known that scores of a golf player
`
`are recorded into a paper card, but such scoring is nuisance, and
`
`if not assisted with other data, such a record does not make a good
`
`reference to evaluate his golfing technique, because the scores are
`
`much dependent on a golf course design; sometimes easy and sometimes
`
`hard to obtain a good result.
`
`For the purpose of knouing a golfer's correct capability,
`
`it is
`
`customarily accepted advice to record,
`
`together with conventional
`
`scores, data on each carry distance of his shot as well as each
`
`location of his ball
`
`through the green to produce as an image a
`
`route map for his shots covering from a tee shot
`
`to a green.
`
`Further,
`
`the data on which nunhered club or what
`
`identified club
`
`was used versus how long a carry distance Has obtained makes
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 12
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 12
`
`
`
`advisable information to brush up the golfing technique.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention is intended to offer a gadget or apparatus for
`
`recording data on golf play which general golfers are enabled to
`
`conveniently handle while'playing and by which he or she can store
`
`his shot history including a route lap for each hole.
`
`Other aspects of this invention are to offer an apparatus for
`
`recording a carry distance of his shot and such data in relation to
`
`a club used and for facilitating score countings, and sunning up
`
`thereof, further to offer a method comprising displaying a route
`
`map of his shots in a superimposed form on a simulated map of each
`
`hole course on a display screen.
`
`An aspect of this invention features a portable apparatus for
`
`recording data on golf play to be carried by a player, which
`
`comprises: an operation sector to be operated by the player at a
`
`place of a tee shot and at other places where a shot hall
`
`is
`
`located in a golf course; a GPS receiver; a measurement sector for
`
`measuring where the apparatus is present
`
`in response to each
`
`operative act on the operation sector; a memory sector for storing
`data on locations measured by the measurement sector.
`
`Therein the apparatus of the invention enables finding a carry
`distance of a shot based on the data which is prestored in the
`
`memory sector and the same sector will store the result, and the
`
`operation sector enables storing the data on which club is used,
`
`2
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 13
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 13
`
`
`
`thereby the relationship of
`
`the club used with a carry distance
`
`will be recorded. Further operation sector will store the scores,
`
`thereby conventional manual writing of scores into a paper card is
`
`replaced by electronic means and such data is enabled to display on
`
`the screen. The GPS receiver which defines the location sector is
`
`desirably a systel for locating a place by differential navigation
`
`system.
`
`Another aspect of this invention features a method of display which
`
`comprises: reading out data on locations stored in the memory sector
`
`of the apparatus; and joining such locations to image a route map
`
`which will be displayed in a superimposed form on a simulated map of
`
`the golf course concerned. Therein the data on carry distances
`
`and/or on the clubs used are enabled to be displayed together with
`
`the route map mentioned above.
`
`The term "GPS" stands for the navigation system with use of Global
`
`Positioning Satellites, which system is today available any time to
`
`locate a position of a receiver. This invention features that the
`
`apparatus including the GPS receiver is carried by a golf player or
`
`caddy assistant or anybody who serves to the player while walking
`
`around the course, and he is meant to input
`
`the locations of the
`
`tee shots and of the locations where his shot hall
`
`is found in the
`
`golf course, by which inputs the basis for imaging the route map is
`
`built up.
`
`It is to be noted here that,
`
`in the present
`
`invention, another
`
`electronic and communications installtion including a GPS stationary
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 14
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 14
`
`
`
`receiver is meant
`
`to be set up on the roof of a club house, for
`
`example,
`
`to assist the job of
`
`location by a navigation system,
`
`that is, by the differential navigation system for inprovement
`
`in
`
`measurements.
`
`In addition, during a passage which a golfer would
`
`take,
`
`there are a number of points to be made the datul or standard
`
`points, for era-ple, places for tee shots, and places for hole out.
`
`Ieasurements at such places enable corrections, by which further
`
`in the accuracy are obtained. Consequently, with use of
`inprovelent
`such a simple portable GPS receiver as a loving station, it is
`
`certainly allowed to build up a route lap for his ball.
`
`Herein,
`
`the art of trajectography, a kind of differential navigation
`
`system, has a higher accuracy (plus/sinus about 0.5 neter) than an
`
`ordinary differential navigation system (plus/minus about 2
`
`meters). The use of the trajectography reduces a possible error
`
`distance and hence lore advantage.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Fig.
`
`1 shows a perspective view of key portions of an embodied
`
`apparatus for recording data on golf play.
`
`Fig. 2 shows a side view of key portions of the sale apparatus.
`
`Fig. 3 shows a plan view of key portions of the same apparatus.
`
`Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the apparatus in whole when
`carried at the waist belt of a person.
`
`Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of another antenna when carried at
`the waist belt of a person.
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 15
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 15
`
`
`
`Fig.
`
`6 shows a block diagram to explain the internal construction
`
`of the apparatus.
`
`Fig.
`
`7 shows a record prepared by a method of
`
`the present
`
`invention.
`
`Fig. 8 shows another record with the same concept as above.
`
`Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of another exalple of the apparatus
`
`in whole when carried at the waist belt of a person.
`
`Fig.
`10 shows key portions of the apparatus with the sane concept
`as in Fig. 9.
`t
`I
`
`These drawings are presented to illustrate the invention, and
`
`therefore these should not be construed as limiting the invention.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE EHBUDIHENT(S)
`
`Below,
`
`the invention will be described on embodilent(s) with
`
`reference to the drawings.
`
`A preferred embodiment of the present
`
`invention has, as Figs.
`
`1
`
`to
`
`4 show, an input panel A and a cover B which is linked by a hinge,
`
`and an apparatus body 0 which is connected by a wire to the
`
`input panel A. The panel A lay be carried at a belt of a golfer by
`
`a book which is provided on the back side of the panel A, and it is
`
`closed with the cover B when the panel A is out of use.
`
`Do the input panel A.
`
`there are numeral keys or ten keys and
`
`additionaly,
`
`four club designation keys;
`
`I (iron clubs), H (wood
`
`clubs), PW (pitching club), SH (sand wedge). and seven other data
`
`input keys each to designate; OB (out of bound), LB (lost hall), UP
`
`5
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 16
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 16
`
`
`
`(unplayable), H (hazard), P (penalty), PT (puttings), KB
`
`(membership number), DIS (display of the record), HN (hole nulher),
`
`F (finish). C (cancel). These define input leans 10 together with
`
`three other keys which will he noted later.
`
`On the cover B provided are a liquid crystal dispaly (LCD) panel 20
`
`as a display means, and three keys as noted above to input which
`
`number of tee start-hole in (ON), shot (S)
`
`to denote how lany shots,
`
`penalty (P)
`
`to denote how Iany penalty.
`
`The apparatus body 0 connected to the input panel A contains a GPS
`
`receiver, micro-culputer,
`
`IC lenory, and antenna. The GPS receiver
`
`is of the differential navigation system to perforn locations. The
`
`antenna is of helical type, but
`
`in the case of nicrostrip type,
`
`the
`
`antenna F say he of external equiplent type as Fig. 5 shows.
`
`The differential navigation system leans a system which includes
`
`another stationary receiver station in addition to an outstanding
`moving receiver station. Therein, a stationary station and a moving
`station or portable receiver will receive waves from the sale
`
`satellites and in the leantile,
`
`the stationary receiver will
`
`inevitably produce sole errors, but the stationary receiver error
`
`accuracy than the moving one and is desirably set up, for exalple,
`on the top of the club house, and it is desirably operated to
`
`6
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 17
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 17
`
`
`
`receive location data during the time covering the golf play and to
`
`store data on the stationary one, which will make the background
`
`date. And after finished the play, with use of the data stored in
`
`the stationary one through treatment of software, errors found at
`
`the stationary are canceled or corrected from the data neasured h!
`
`the loving one to the lost accurate data.
`
`In the post treatment as
`
`noted above,
`
`the data that were measured at known points, for
`
`example, places of
`
`tee shots, places of green holes, helps to
`
`further correction.
`
`The component units contained in the apparatus body C; GPS
`
`receiver, microcomputer, and 16 memory, provides functionally the
`
`system of
`
`location sector 30, Iemory sector 40, and computation
`
`sector 50 as shown in Fig. 6. Therein,
`
`through input operations by
`
`keys or pushbuttons, various data are sent
`
`to the location sector
`
`30 and memory sector 40. The computation sector 50 will compute
`
`with use of the data stored in the memory sector 40, of which
`
`results will he sent
`
`to the memory sector 40. And therefrom the
`
`data will be, according to call-out
`
`instructions, displayed in the
`
`LCD panel 20 as function of the display sector. Below, further
`
`details involved will he described.
`
`A golfer who comes to a tee shot place at each hole is meant
`
`to
`
`start the inputs by pushing the key of tee start-hole in, by which
`
`the location of the tee shot
`
`is measured and the data thereof is
`
`stored. He
`
`is also meant
`
`to input
`
`the hole number. After the tee
`
`shot, he is meant
`
`to input when he cones to the location of his
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 18
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 18
`
`
`
`hall
`
`in the golf course. Then, each time he inputs a location of
`
`his ball, data on these locations and carry distances are memorized
`
`and computed. and displayed, with shot countings. And Identity of
`
`the clubs used is meant to be input as necessary.
`
`As noted before,
`
`the data on carry distances will be further
`
`corrected when the data is post—treated with use of the computer
`
`installation connected with the stationary receiving station
`
`installed in the club house.
`
`After the green-on,
`
`the golfer is leant to input the shot key at
`
`the location of putting each time or to push the key of tee start-
`
`hole in and threafter to input
`
`the number of puttings after the
`
`hole out. The input of the putting count
`
`is done by pushing a
`
`numeral key after the key of putting count. Then, GPS receivers
`
`normally available as portable type are hardly enabled of
`
`discriminating different places on a green,
`
`therefore only putting
`
`counts will persist although the shot key was pushed.
`
`When an out of bound,
`
`lost ball or another penalty case takes
`
`place, he is meant to use appropriate keys or shot count equivalent
`
`to the penalty.
`
`Scores input are all stored, which may be reviewed by displaying on
`the LCD panel 20 as desired. The information according to the
`
`that is,
`in this invention,
`inventive idea on the method aSpect
`display of the outcome will be present after the finish of golf
`play as Hill be noted below.
`
`After the play is finished,
`
`in the club house or at the place where
`
`8
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 19
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 19
`
`
`
`the stationary installation is set up,
`
`the data stored in the
`
`portable apparatus is sent a computer accolpanying to the stationary
`
`receiver for post treating and editing of the data to convert thel
`
`to further inforuation. The data sent
`
`includes the hole nunhers,
`
`route of shots, carry distances, scores,
`
`identity of clubs, penalty
`
`counts, putting counts. The calputer is Ieant to correct the data
`
`as noted before and to prepare an ilage-of a route lap for each
`
`hole which is displayed on a screen attached to the colputer as
`
`shown in Fig. 7, wherein the route of shots is superilposed on a
`
`simulated hole lap and as required, carry distances and identity of
`
`the clubs are nulerically displayed. Further through conputer
`
`operation, a simulated bird-eye-view lap covering the whole holes
`
`with the ball routes is prepared and displayed as shown in Fig. 8,
`
`wherein weather data; wind, rain, are inparted as required. Further
`
`a score table,
`
`ranking table in a colpetition, and correlation
`
`between a club used and wind nature may he prepared, wherein
`
`players' handicaps can be taken into acount
`
`in preparation of the
`
`competition list.
`
`The data or infatuation thus prepard are stored in an auxiliary
`
`Ienory sector, which will he used for the purpose of deciding
`
`handicaps of players, average perforlance for a season or through a
`
`year to serve to players.
`
`The enhodinent(s) as noted above is not
`
`limitative, but
`
`illustrative- For example, design of the apparatus,
`
`layout of the
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 20
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 20
`
`
`
`operation sector, process of treating the data may be changed to suit
`
`convenience in case. Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of another
`
`embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 10 shows key portions
`
`of the sane in enlarged view.
`
`Referring to this embodiment,
`
`the apparatus conprises the operation
`
`panel A and the apparatus body C. The operation panel A is leant to
`
`be connected to the body C which is fastened to a belt E of a
`
`sector 10,
`
`the LCD display panel 20, and antenna F. This type of
`
`apparatus has lore freedom with the operation panel A, easier
`
`operation, and easier to change a position and/or a direction of
`
`the antenna F when put
`
`in the receiving status. Thereby, avoidance
`
`of possible obstruction by other persons or trees nearby may he
`
`performed. Further, such modification is allowable as installing
`antennas singly in the operation panel A and the body C so as to
`
`receive the navigation nessage fro: the satellites by the antenna A
`
`and to use the antenna C as location measurements.
`
`invention peroits,
`Use of the apparatus and method of the present
`without laking trouble in playing golf, recording of routes of
`
`golfers's balls with aid of a GPS receiver, and the records thus
`obtained facilitates golfers to have a chance of reviewing their
`level or defects and thereby to improve their technique, wherein
`they are entitled to know real carry distance under various
`
`conditions and correlation of clubs used to carry distances, and
`
`1 O
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 21
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 21
`
`
`
`they can stock such infornation. Further Ianual writing into a
`
`conventional paper card is replaced by electronic le-orization of
`
`such data, which will dispense with the paper cards.
`
`Use of the visual display produced by the present
`
`invention gives
`
`strong ilpression to golfers who are enabled to understand their
`
`technique so objective together with other conditions which were
`
`difficult to be taken into consideration quantitatively._Speaking
`
`from the manage-ant of a golf course,
`
`they need not use the
`
`location system by use of the GPS receiver, which lessens their
`
`initial installation cost, and they can offer better service by use
`
`of the system to custoner playhers.
`
`l
`
`1
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 22
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 22
`
`
`
`CLAIM
`
`what is claimed is:
`
`1. An apparatus for recording data on golf play to he carried by a
`
`player himself, which couprises:
`
`an operation sector to be operated by the player at a place of tee
`
`shot and at each place where his shot ball
`
`is located;
`
`a GPS receiver unit;
`
`a leasurement sector for measuring a location of the apparatus by
`
`a memory sector for storing a location the data Ieasured by the
`
`measurement sector.
`
`2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus
`
`further comprises a computer sector for computing a carry distance
`
`of the hall based on the data stored in the lemory sector.
`
`3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data stored in
`
`the memory sector further comprises a score played, and/or an
`
`identity of a club used.
`
`4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus
`
`further comprises a display sector which displays the data stored
`
`in the memory sector.
`
`5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the GPS receiver
`
`uses a location system which conforms to differential navigation
`system.
`
`B. A method for displaying data on golf play, which comprises:
`
`1 2
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 23
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 23
`
`
`
`inputting data on golf play with use of an apparatus which is
`
`defined and conprised of;
`
`an operation sector to be operated by the player at a place of
`
`tee shot and at each place where his shot hall
`
`is located;
`
`a GPS receiver unit;
`
`a leasurelent sector for leasuring a location of the apparatus
`
`by the GPS receiver in response to each operative act on the
`
`operation sector;
`
`a lelory sector for storing a location the data leasured by the
`
`measurelent sector;
`
`reading out
`
`the data on locations of a golf ball
`
`iron the celery
`
`sector of the apparatus;
`
`and connecting the hall
`
`locations to produce a route map for the
`
`hall; and
`
`displaying said route nap in superimposed nanner over a silulated
`
`map of a golf course.
`
`7. A method for displaying data on golf play as clailed in claim 8,
`
`which comprises displaying a carry distance of a hit ball cosputed
`
`from the location data and/or identity of a club used,
`
`together
`
`with the route lap for the hall,
`
`in superisposed tanner over the
`
`simulated lap of the golf course.
`
`1 3
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 24
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 24
`
`
`
`_ 14 _
`
`Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described
`8.
`with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
`
`data on golf play
`displaying
`of
`A method
`9.
`substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the
`accompanying drawings.
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 25
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 25
`
`
`
`
`’ l5 "
`Patents Act 1977
`Examiner's report to the Comptroller under
`
` 9120325.?
`Section 17 (The Search Report)
`
`
`Application number
`
`
`
`Relevant Technical fields
`
`(i)UKCl(Edmon
`
`K)
`
`G4A (ADT,AUX); H4D(DAB,DPBC)
`
`(ii) Int Cl (Edition
`
`5 )
`
`A63B7 G06F
`
`Databases (see over)
`
`(i) UK Patent Office
`
`(ii)
`
`ONLINE DATABASES:WPI
`
`Search Examiner
`
`
`
`B G WESTERN
`
`Date of Search
`
`13 JANUARY 1992
`
`Documents considered relevant following a search in respect of claims
`
`Category
`(see over)
`
`A
`
`A
`
`Relevant to
`claimlsl
`
`1-9
`
`1—9
`
`Identity of document and relevant passages
`
`US 4703444 A (STORMS ET AL) see whole
`
`WO 88/00487 A1 (TRANSCONTINENTAL CART)
`see whole document
`
`document
`
`Slepl
`
`sf
`
`- c:\wp51\doc99\fi1001269
`
`o
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 26
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 26
`
`
`
`Category
`
`Identity of document and relevant passages
`, l 6 e
`
`Relevant
`to claimls)
`
`,,
`
`Categories of documents
`X: Document indicating lack of novelty or of
`inventive step.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`Y: Document Indicating lack of inventive step if
`combined with one or more other documents of the
`same category.
`'
`
`A: Document indicating technological background
`and/or state of the art.
`
`P: Document published on or after the declared
`priority date but before the filing date of the
`resent a
`lication.
`p
`pp
`.
`.
`E: Patent document Dub||5h6d on or after. but with
`priority date earlier than, the filing date of the
`present application.
`
`&: Member of the same patent family,
`corresponding document.
`
`Databases: The UK Patent Office database comprises classified collections of GB. EP. W0 and US
`patent specifications as outlined periodically in the Official Journal (Patents). The on-line databases
`considered for search are also listed periodically in the Official Journal (Patents).
`
`«
`
`\
`"
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 27
`
`SKYHAWKE Ex. 1006, page 27
`
`