HANDHELD TERMINAL, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING GOLF
SCORE
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a handheld terminal for managing golf scores
and a system for managing golf scores using the handheld terminal, and more
particularly to a handheld terminal capable of inputting and storing shot information and
ball position information of a user in a golf course in real time, and a system for
managing golf scores by receiving the shot information and ball position information
from the handheld terminal and then storing and managing game information of the user.
In addition, the present invention also relates to a method for managing golf scores in
real time using such a system.
BACKGROUND ART Golf, recently gaining in public favor, is a sports for making scores with a hitting number required for putting a ball into a hole cup prepared in a green of each hole while a user plays a round with 18 holes. Generally in the golf game, scores are manually
managed in such a traditional way that the user canies a scoreboard with making round
of holes and directly records a score on the scoreboard. In particular, since a ball position is not accurately checked, it is not easy to analyze and manage golf scores
thoroughly after the game. There have been proposed techniques for managing golf scores more accurately
in connection with information communication technologies. Korean Laid-open Patent
Publication No. 2002-86007 discloses a system for managing golf scores in which a user
directly inputs a ball position on a green image displayed on a handheld terminal with
the use of a touch pen and then the input information is transmitted to a management
server that manages the golf scores. However in this system, the user should select a
hole and then inputs a ball position with eye's measurement, so the input ball position is
not accurate. In addition, the user should check and input weather information such as
direction and velocity of the wind and temperature as occasion calls. That is to say,
since the information of the golf game is determined and input on the basis of subjective
determination of the player, so the golf score is not objective. In addition, Korean Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2001-92142 discloses a
device for measuring a distance, which grasps a cunent position of a golfer with GPS,
and then calculates a distance and a direction to a conesponding hole cup with the use
of an azimuth angle of a tenestrial magnetism sensor together with a map data. However, this technique just measures and provides a residual distance from the user to
the hole cup, and it cannot solve the conventional inconvenience that a golfer should
carry a scoreboard and manages golf scores one by one. Furthermore, since all map
images of the golf course should be stored in the terminal, the terminal should have a memory with a large capacity or be limitedly used in a specific golf course. In addition,
since this technique just checks a position of a golfer, it does not include the concept of managing golf scores with exchanging data with a separate server or giving a service
through the web.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The present invention is designed to solve the problems of the prior art, and
therefore it is an object of the invention to provide a handheld terminal for managing
golf scores, which calculates an accurate position of a golf ball with GPS and then
transmits the accurate position together with shot information of a golfer. Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for managing golf
scores, which may receive the ball position information and the shot information stored
in the handheld terminal through a communication network, manage the ball position
information and the shot information, extract a map image of a golf course, mark
trajectory and position of the ball accurately on the map image, and then provide the map image.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system for managing
golf scores, which calculates and and provides golf scores with the use of the ball
position information and the shot information transmitted through the handheld terminal. Further another object of the present invention is to provide a method for
managing golf scores, which is capable of managing the progress of a golf game and the
golf scores as a golfer simply inputs and stores information about his/her own ball in the handheld terminal.
In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a
handheld terminal for managing golf scores, which includes an input unit provided with buttons for input of shot information composed of kinds of golf clubs and numbers; a
storage unit that stores ID information peculiar to the handheld terminal; a clock for generating time information; a display unit for displaying an input guidance and details
input through the input unit; a GPS coordinates receiving unit for requesting and
receiving current coordinates information of the handheld terminal to/from a GPS when
the shot information is received through the input unit; a reading/writing means for
reading or writing data from/to a portable memory that is detachably combined thereto;
and a control unit for controlling each of the above units, wherein the ID information,
the shot information, the time information and the coordinates information are recorded
and stored in the portable memory by means of the reading/writing means. Preferably, the buttons of the input unit includes club selection buttons and
number buttons. In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for managing golf
scores, which includes a handheld terminal for requesting and receiving cunent
coordinates information of the handheld terminal to/from a GPS when shot information
composed of kinds of golf clubs and numbers is input, and then storing ID information
peculiar to the handheld terminal and time information together with the shot
information and the coordinates information to a portable memory that is detachably combined to the handheld terminal; a management server for receiving the shot information, the coordinates information, the ID information and the time information
through a communication network, calculating a golf score, storing the golf score for
each user, extracting a map image for a hole conesponding to the coordinates
information, marking a ball position on the map image according to the coordinates information, and then providing the map image; and a first client terminal to which the portable memory is detachable, wherein, when being connected to the portable memory,
the first client terminal is automatically connected to the management server through the
communication network by means of an access program stored in the portable memory
to transmit the shot information, the coordinates information, the ID information and the
time information stored in the portable memory to the management server.
Preferably, the handheld terminal includes an input unit provided with buttons
for input of the shot information; a storage unit for storing the ID information of the
handheld terminal; a clock for generating the time information; a display unit for
displaying an input guidance and details input through the input unit; a GPS coordinates
receiving unit for requesting and receiving the cunent coordinates information of the
handheld terminal to/from the GPS when the shot information is received through the
input unit; a reading/writing means for reading or writing data from/to the portable
memory that is detachably combined thereto; and a control unit for controlling each of
the above units, wherein the ID information, the shot information, the time information
and the coordinates information are recorded and stored in the portable memory by
means of the reading/writing means. Preferably, the management server includes a web management unit for
providing and managing golf score information on a hypermedia web page to a second
client terminal accessed through the communication network; a map generation unit for
extracting a map image of the conesponding hole from a database according to the coordinates information, and marking a ball position conesponding to the coordinates information on the extracted map image; a score management unit for calculating a golf score according to the shot information and the coordinates information; and a control unit for controlling each of the above units.
More preferably, the management server is in linkage with a database, and the
database includes a member information DB storing data about personal details of a
user; a map information DB storing data about map images for holes in a golf course
and coordinates ranges thereof; and a score information DB storing the shot information,
the coordinates information and golf score data for each user. In still another aspect of the invention, there is also provided a method for
managing golf scores, which uses a system including a handheld terminal possessed by a user in a golf course, a first client terminal, and a management server connected to the
first client terminal through a communication network, wherein the method includes (a)
combining a portable memory to the handheld terminal; (b) inputting shot information
composed of kinds of golf clubs and numbers to the handheld terminal; (c) requesting
and receiving coordinates information about a cunent position of the handheld terminal
to/from a GPS; (d) storing ID information peculiar to the handheld terminal, the shot
information, the coordinates information and time information to the portable memory;
(e) combining the portable memory to the first client terminal; (f) transmitting the ID information, the shot information, the coordinates information and the time information stored in the portable memory from the first client terminal to the management server
through the communication network; (g) the management server calculating a golf score
according to the shot information and the coordinates information, and then storing the
golf score for each user conesponding to the ID information; and (h) the management
server extracting a map image of a hole conesponding to the coordinates information,
marking a ball position on the extracted map image according to the coordinates information, and then providing the map image through the communication network. Preferably, the step (d) includes the steps of determining whether an access
program for access to the management server is stored in the portable memory, and
downloading the access program from the handheld terminal and storing the access
program in the portable memory in the case that it is determined that the access program
is not stored in the portable memory in the above step. Preferably, the step (f) includes the step of downloading an access program from
the portable memory to the first client terminal and then executing the access program.
More preferably, the step (h) includes the steps of logging in to the management
server through a second client terminal; the second client terminal requesting a golf
score to the management server; the management server extracting a map image of a
corresponding hole according to the coordinates information and marking a ball position
on the map image; and providing the map image on which the ball position is marked
from the management server to the second client terminal.
In still another aspect of the invention, there is also provided a system for
managing golf scores, which includes a handheld terminal for requesting and receiving
current coordinates information of the handheld terminal to/from a GPS when shot information composed of kinds of golf clubs and numbers is input, and then storing time
information together with the shot information and the coordinates information in an internal memory therein; a management server for receiving the shot information, the
coordinates information, the time information and ID information peculiar to the
handheld terminal through a communication network, calculating a golf score on the basis of the received information, storing the golf score for each user, extracting a map
image for a hole conesponding to the coordinates information, marking a ball position on the map image according to the coordinates information, and then providing the map
image; and a first client terminal automatically connected to the management server
through the communication network by means of an access program stored in the
internal memory when being connected to a data transmission port of the handheld
terminal, to transmit the shot information, the coordinates information, the ID
information and the time information stored in the internal memory to the management
server. In further another aspect of the invention, there is also provided a method for
managing golf scores, which uses a system including a handheld terminal possessed by a
user in a golf course, a first client terminal, and a management server connected to the
first client terminal through a communication network, wherein the method includes the
steps of: (a) inputting shot information composed of kinds of golf clubs and numbers to
the handheld terminal; (b) requesting and receiving coordinates information about a
cunent position of the handheld terminal to/from a GPS; (c) storing the shot information,
the coordinates information and time information to an internal memory of the handheld
terminal; (d) combining the handheld terminal to the first client terminal; (e) transmitting ID information, the shot information, the coordinates information and the time information stored in the internal memory of the handheld terminal from the first
client terminal to the management server via the communication network; (f) the
management server calculating a golf score according to the shot information and the
coordinates information, and then storing the golf score for each user conesponding to
the ID information; and (g) the management server extracting a map image of a hole conesponding to the coordinates information, marking a ball position on the extracted
map image according to the coordinates information, and then providing the map image
through the communication network.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, there is also provided a
system for managing golf scores, which includes a remote controller for transmitting
shot information by means of a bluetooth communication method when the shot
information composed of kinds of golf clubs and numbers is input; a handheld terminal
for requesting and receiving current coordinates information of the handheld terminal
to/from a GPS when the shot information is input from the remote controller, and then
storing ID information peculiar to the handheld terminal and time information together
with the shot information and the coordinates information to a portable memory that is
detachably combined to the handheld terminal; a management server for receiving the
shot information, the coordinates information and the time information through a
communication network, calculating a golf score on the basis of the received
information, storing the golf score for each user, extracting a map image for a hole
conesponding to the coordinates information, marking a ball position on the map image according to the coordinates information, and then providing the map image; and a first
client terminal to which the portable memory is detachable, wherein, when being
connected to the portable memory, the first client terminal is automatically connected to the management server through the communication network by means of an access program stored in the portable memory to transmit the shot information, the coordinates
information, the ID information and the time information stored in the portable memory
to the management server. Preferably, the remote controller includes a voice recognition unit used for inputting the shot information by voice.
In further another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a
method for managing golf scores, which uses a system including a remote controller
possessed by a user in a golf course, a handheld terminal for receiving data from the
remote controller, a first client terminal, and a management server connected to the first
client terminal through a communication network, wherein the method includes the
steps of: (a) combining a portable memory to the handheld terminal; (b) inputting shot
information composed of kinds of golf clubs and numbers to the remote controller; (c)
transmitting the shot information from the remote controller to the handheld terminal;
(d) the handheld terminal requesting and receiving coordinates information about a
cunent position of the handheld terminal to/from a GPS, after receiving the shot
information; (e) storing ID information peculiar to the handheld terminal, the shot
information, the coordinates information and time information to the portable memory;
(f) combining the portable memory to the first client terminal; (g) transmitting the ID
infonnation, the shot information, the coordinates information and the time information
stored in the portable memory from the first client terminal to the management server
through the communication network; (h) the management server calculating a golf score according to the shot information and the coordinates information, and then storing the
golf score for each user conesponding to the ID infonnation; and (i) the management
server extracting a map image of a hole conesponding to the coordinates information,
marking a ball position on the extracted map image according to the coordinates information, and then providing the map image through the communication network.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of preferred embodiments of
the present invention will be more fully described in the following detailed description,
taken accompanying drawings. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a golf score management system
including a golf score management handheld terminal according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the golf score management
handheld terminal according to a prefened embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a front view schematically showing appearance of the golf score
management handheld terminal according to a prefened embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing a golf score management server
according to a prefened embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a client terminal of the golf score management system according to a prefened embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the process of building map image information
in the golf score management system according to a prefened embodiment of the
present invention; FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the process of partitioning and digitizing an aerial
photograph in order to build the map image information in the golf score management system according to a prefened embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a table showing an example of the map information for a hole of a golf
course in the golf score management system according to a prefened embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating operation of the handheld terminal in the golf
score management method according to a prefened embodiment of the present
invention; FIG. 10 shows an example of information stored in the handheld terminal
according to a prefened embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of transmitting information from
the client terminal to the management server and calculating a hole score according to a
prefened embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 12 is a table showing an example of the calculated hole score according to a
prefened embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the process of providing a golf score from the
management server to a client tenninal according to a prefened embodiment of the
present invention; FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing that a position of a ball is marked on the map image of the hole by means of a map generation unit of the management server
according to a prefened embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 15 is an example of a golf score screen provided from the management server to the client terminal according to a prefened embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a handheld terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 17 is a block diagram schematically showing a remote controller according
to still another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 18 is a block diagram schematically showing a handheld terminal remotely
controlled according to still another embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 19 is a block diagram schematically showing a remote controlled provided
with a voice recognition function according to still another embodiment of the present
invention.
BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, prefened embodiments of the present invention will be described in
detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 schematically shows configuration of a system for managing golf scores
according to a prefened embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the
golf score management system of the present invention includes a handheld terminal 10
that is canied by a user during a golf game and used for inputting shot information, a
management server 30 connected to the handheld terminal 10 through a communication network 20 so as to receive required data, generate a map image of a golf course according to the received data, and calculating and managing a golf score, and a first
client terminal connected to the management server 30 through the communication
network 20 and transmitting information stored by the handheld terminal 10. In FIG. 1,
reference numeral 50 denotes a general client terminal that accesses the management
server 30 through the communication network 20, and reference numeral 60 denotes a GPS. The communication network 20 is defined to include wired/wireless
communication networks and data communication networks such as Internet and
Intranet that enable mutual communication between the management server 30 and the
client terminals 40 and 50.
The handheld terminal 10 is a device that, when a user inputs his/her own shot
information, receives a cunent position coordinates from the GPS 60 accordingly and
then transmits the coordinates to the management server 30. The handheld terminal 10
is well shown in FIGs. 2 and 3.
Refening to FIGs. 2 and 3, the handheld terminal 10 of the present invention
includes a control unit 11 for controlling each unit, an input unit 12 used for inputting
shot information by a user, a display unit 13 for displaying input menus and input state
to a user, a GPS coordinates receiving unit 14 for receiving a coordinates from the GPS
60, a storage unit 15 for storing ID information peculiar to the terminal, an internal
clock 16 for counting time such as year, month and date, and a reading/writing means 17
detachable to a portable memory 100 to read or write data in the portable memory 100. The input unit 12 includes club selection buttons 14a and number buttons 14b as shown in FIG. 3 as an example, and preferably includes a game start button 14c and a
game end button 14d. The input unit 12 generates different signals depending on the
selection of button, and then applies the signals to the control unit 11. Here, the club selection buttons 14a are used for inputting a kind of club to be used when a user shots a
golf ball. For example, the club selection buttons 14a includes a driver (D), a wood
(W), an iron (I), a pitch (P) and a putter (PT). The number buttons 14b are used for inputting a club number or other numerical information. The GPS coordinates receiving unit 14 requests cunent coordinates information
of a golf ball to the GPS 60, and then receives the current coordinates information.
GPS used in the present invention may include a DGPS (Differential GPS) system that corrects a range of error with the use of a difference between a coordinates value of a
specific position and a measurement value thereof, and also may include a DARC
system that provides a correction data of DGPS through FM broadcasting.
The storage unit 15 temporarily stores peculiar ID information of the handheld
terminal 10 as well as system information and programs required for operation.
The reading/writing means 17 is a driver device such as a card reader/writer,
capable of reading or writing data with the portable memory 100 combined therein. In
the embodiment of FIG. 3, the reading/writing means 17 is prepared in a lower portion
of the handheld terminal 10 so that the portable memory 100 may be inserted therein.
The portable memory 100 stores an access program 110 required for connection to the management server 30, ID information 120 of the handheld terminal 10, time
information 130 about year, month and data when golf rounding is held, shot
information 140 composed of kind and number of golf clubs, and GPS coordinates information 150 about a cunent ball position in a golf course.
The access program 110 is a program for connecting the first client terminal 40
to the management server 30. For example, the access program 110 executes an access
to the management server 30 through Internet, and includes IP address and other
necessary authentication information of the management server for the access. FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing configuration of the management
server 30 according to a prefened embodiment of the present invention. Refening to
FIG. 4, the management server 30 includes a control unit 31 for controlling each unit, a
web management unit 32, a map generation unit 33, and a score management unit 34.
The web management unit 32 provides, for example, a hypermedia web page
based on HTML to the client terminals 40 and 50, connected through the communication network 20 such as Internet, and then manages the web page. In
addition, the web management unit 32 provides desired golf score information to the
second client terminal 50 in a predetermined format in response to a user request
through Internet.
The map generation unit 33 searches a database with reference to the received
coordinates information of a golf ball and then extracts a map conesponding by marking a ball position on the extracted map so as to generate a map image.
The score management unit 34 calculates a golf score of a user with reference to
the shot information and the coordinates information.
Each component composing the management server 30 of the present invention
is preferably realized with a web program, and it may be coded in ASP, PHP, CGI, JSP,
JAVA, NET/ASP and so on, which are web program languages. The management server 30 is connected to a database in which various information input from the client terminals 40 and 50 and interactively generated in the
management server 30 is recorded, updated or deleted. This database may include a
member information DB 36, a map information DB 37, a score information DB 38 and a
weather information DB 39, for example.
The member information DB 36 includes information about personal details of users who are provided with service from the golf score management system of the present invention, such as a name, an address, an ID, a password and a contact number.
In the map information DB 37, map information of each golf course is stored
together with conesponding coordinates information. Here, the process of building the
map information is well shown in FIG. 6. Seeing the process, a hole of the golf course
is divided into several regions as shown in FIG. 7 and then an aerial photographed is taken for each region (step S 110).
And then, the photographed image is digitized using a digitizer equipped with a
scanner to obtain a register data, and coordinates for the hole map is obtained by means
of vectorizing. Accordingly, x-, y- and z-coordinates for the conesponding map image
are obtained (step S120). The obtained coordinates are stored in a map information table as shown in FIG.
8. For example, 'map image', 'golf course', 'hole number', 'X,Y,Z coordinates
ranges', 'tee ground', 'hole cup coordinates', 'green coordinates range' and 'bunker
coordinates range' may be stored in the map information DB 37 (step S130).
Preferably, the map information may include additional information about a golf course
like a summery of the golf course, hole information and a regulated hitting number (a
par).
Preferably, the map image for the hole is graphic-processed, then converted to have storage suitable for data transmission through the communication network, and then stored in the map information DB 37. The score information DB 38 stores game information of a user together with
position information of a golf course, which is described later.
The weather information DB 39 stores information including weather, wind velocity, wind direction and temperature of golf courses throughout the nation at each
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time. Preferably, the management server 30 may be configured to receive weather
information through a terminal (not shown) prepared in a golf course, or to be provided
with weather information in real time in connection to a weather providing server, not
shown, and then store the weather information in the weather information DB 39. Besides, additional information used for management of members and golf
scores may be included as databases. Such databases may be realized using a SQL
server, a Mysql server or an Oracle server, and managed by a database management unit
35 in a bundle. Meanwhile, the aforementioned management server 30 is configured to be
operable as one server, but those skilled in the art will understand that its functions may
be diversified to several servers. That is to say, the management server 30 may be
designed in a decentralized structure so that each of the databases and the modules may
be prepared in an individual server unit.
The first client terminal 40 transmits information stored in the portable memory 100 to the management server 30. The first client terminal 40 is preferably a computer device prepared in a golf course or the like. Refening to FIG. 5 schematically showing configuration of the first client terminal 40, the first client terminal 40 includes a control unit 41, an input unit 42 such as a keyboard for inputting various data, a display unit 43
such as a monitor for outputting the input data and other data on a screen, a main memory 44 storing programs required for system operation and control, a communication interface 45 for allowing communication with the management server
30 through the communication network 20, and a reading means 46 for reading data recorded in the portable memory 100 detachably combined to the reading means 46.
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The reading means 46 is a driver device into which the portable memory 100 is
inserted. That is to say, the reading means 46 is preferably a memory card reader
capable of reading information recorded in the portable memory 100.
Reference numeral 50 denotes a second client terminal generally connected to
the management server 30 through the communication network 20. The second client
terminal 50 may be a general desktop, a notebook, a PDA, a mobile terminal and so on.
The first and second client terminals 40 and 50 are respectively provided with a LAN
card or a modem so as to exchange data with the management server 30 through the
communication network. In addition, a web browser such as Internet Explorer of Microsoft is loaded on the client terminals 40 and 50 so as to analyze and display, for
example, a HTML web page provided from the management server 30.
Now, the process of managing golf scores by means of the system of the present
invention including the handheld terminal configured as mentioned above is described.
According to the present invention, a user inputs his/her own shot information
into the handheld terminal 10 in a golf course, then transfer the information to a portable
memory, and then transmits the information to the management server 30 for the
purpose of management of a golf score. This process is well shown in FIG. 9. Refening to FIG. 9, the user should register his/her own handheld terminal 10
prior to playing golf rounding (step S210). According to the present invention, the
user may purchase a handheld terminal 10 to possess it, or hire out a handheld terminal
10 to use. If a user possesses the handheld terminal 10, the user may access the management server 30 with the use of a separate client terminal 50, and then register a
specific number of the handheld terminal and personal details of the user in advance.
Meanwhile, in the case that the handheld terminal 10 is hired out, a manager of the golf
course may transmit a specific number of the handheld terminal 10 and personal details
of the user to the management server 30 with the use of a terminal prepared in the golf
course when the handheld terminal 10 is hired out. The specific number of the handheld terminal 10 and the personal information of
the user are transmitted to the management server 30, and the database management unit
35 of the management server 30 stores and updates them in the member information DB
36 (step S211).
If the user registration is completed, the golf rounding is regularized. At this
time, the user canies the handheld terminal 10, and the portable memory 100 is
combined to the handheld terminal 10.
If the game starts, the user pushes the game start button 14c (see FIG. 3) of the
handheld terminal 10 to inform the server that the game is started (step S212).
Accordingly, the handheld terminal 10 firstly determines whether a necessary access
program 110 is stored in the portable memory 100 (step S213). If the access program 110 is not stored, the handheld terminal 10 downloads the access program 110 stored in the storage unit 15 and then stores it in the portable memory 100 (step S214). In this
embodiment, it is described that the access program 110 stored in the storage unit 15 of
the handheld terminal 10 is downloaded and then stored in the portable memory 100. However, as an alternative, it is also possible that an access program 110 provided from
the management server 30 is stored in the portable memory 100 in advance after a user accesses the management server 30 through the client terminal 40 or 50. At the same time, the handheld terminal 10 stores the ID information, or a
specific number of the handheld terminal 10 stored in the storage unit 15, in the portable memory 100 (step S215).
Subsequently, after making a tee shot on a tee shot ground, the user goes to a
position where the ball is landed and then inputs 'first tee shot information' composed
of the kind and the number of the used club to the handheld terminal 10 through the
input unit 12 (step S216). For example, in the case that the user uses the first driver,
the user may push the 'D' button and the T button of the handheld terminal (see FIG.
3) in order. And then, as a confirmation button, the user pushes a '#' button, as an
example. Preferably, the user may input kind and number of a used club according to
the guidance message output on the display unit 13 step by step.
The shot information input as mentioned above is stored in the portable memory
100 by means of the reading/writing means 17 of the handheld terminal 10 (step S217).
At this time, the control unit 11 checks cunent time infonnation 130 from the internal
clock 16 and then stores it together with the shot information. If the time infonnation 130 and the shot information 140 are input, the control
unit 11 of the handheld terminal 10 operates the GPS coordinates receiving unit 14 and
instructs the GPS coordinates receiving unit 14 to request coordinates information for a cunent position of the handheld terminal 10, or a cunent ball position, as a first hitting
position to the GPS 60. Accordingly, the GPS coordinates receiving unit 14 requests
the cunent coordinates information of the handheld terminal 10 to the GPS 60, and then receives the coordinates information composed of, for example, 13 digits from the GPS 60 as a result (step S218). Such coordinates information includes data about x-, y- and z- coordinates.
After receiving the current coordinates information about the ball position, the
control unit 1 1 makes the coordinates information 150 be recorded and stored in the
portable memory 100 by using the reading/writing means 17 (step S219).
Additionally, the control unit 11 of the handheld terminal 10 may determine
whether the game comes to an end in the step S220. For example, if the game ends,
the user pushes the game end button 14d (see FIG. 3) of the handheld terminal 10, and
then the control unit 11 may record in the portable memory 100 that the game comes to
an end.
If the game does not end in the step S220, the sequence returns again to the step S216 for input of shot information. That is to say, after making the first shot, the user
makes a second shot. In addition, the user walks to a position where the ball is landed,
and then inputs second shot information at that place, as mentioned above. If the user
inputs the second shot information, the handheld terminal 10 receives coordinates information about the second ball position from the GPS 60, and then stores the
coordinates information in the portable memory 100 together with the shot information.
By repeating this procedure, game information including the time information, the shot information and the coordinates information is stored in the portable memory
100 for each shot, as shown in FIG. 10. In the present invention, a user who ends the game transmits game information
to the management server 30 by using the first client terminal 40 prepared in a golf course or at another place. This process is now described in detail with reference to FIG. 11.
A user who ends the game connects the portable memory 100 to the reading
means 46 of the first client terminal 40 (step S250). For example, a portable memory
card is inserted into a driver device such as a memory card reader.
Then, the control unit 41 of the first client terminal 40 downloads the access
program 110 stored in the portable memory 100 to the main memory 44, and then
executes the access program 110 (step S251). Preferably, a trigger file is included in
the access program 110 so that an operation system of the first client terminal 40 may
operate the trigger file to make the access program downloaded.
Subsequently, the access program 110 is automatically executed to connect the
first client terminal 40 to the management server 30 through the communication
network connected via the communication interface 45 (step S252). IP address or
authentication data required for accessing the management server 30 are included in the
access program 110.
In this embodiment, it is described that the access program 110 is executed to
connect the client terminal 40 to the management server 30. However, it is just for illustrating operation based on the functional aspect, and the present invention is not
limited to that case. For example, a web browser such as Internet Explorer may be
loaded on the first client terminal 40, and the trigger file of the access program may
links IP address of the management server 30 together with automatically executing the web browser of the first client terminal 40. As mentioned above, if the first client terminal 40 is connected to the
management server 30, the first client terminal 40 reads the ID information 120, the time information 130, the shot information 140 and the coordinates information 150 stored in the portable memory 100, and then transmits them to the management server
30 (step S253).
At this time, the management server 30 records and stores the information
transmitted from the first client terminal 40 (step S254). Specifically, the control unit
31 of the management server 30 searches the member information DB 36 with reference
to the ID information 120, and then extracts personal information of the corresponding
user. After that, the control unit 31 stores the time information, the shot information
and the coordinates information for each user. At this time, the control unit 31 extracts
weather information such as weather, wind direction and wind speed conesponding to
the time when the user plays the golf game from the weather information DB 39, and
then stores the weather information together (step S255).
Subsequently, the score management unit 34 of the management server 30
calculates and stores a hole score and a total game score on the basis of the stored
information (step S256). The hole score calculated by the score management unit 34 is
stored in the score information DB 38. The hole score information includes the position information such as a golf course and a hole number, the weather information
such as weather, a wind direction and a wind speed, and the game information such as a final score, a rounding time, a hitting number, a used club, a flying distance and a landed point. In addition, other data may be added for management of the golf score as required. During the score calculating process, the score management unit 34 of the
management server 30 may find basic golf course information such as a golf course where a user plays a golf game, a hole number and a regulated hitting number (or, a par)
by searching the map information DB 37 with reference to the coordinates information
received from the first client terminal 40 and stored therein. This may eliminate any
inconvenience of a user to select and input a golf course or a hole in advance for
progressing a game.
In addition, a flying distance and a landed point of a golf ball may be calculated
by comparing the coordinates information corresponding to each shot information with
existing map information shown in FIG. 8. For example, the score management unit
34 may calculates a flying distance with coordinates information of a former shot and
coordinates of a cunent shot with reference to the map information DB 37, and then
obtain a ball position, or a landed point such as on a field, a rough or a hazard. Though not shown in drawings, there may be used various ways for
distinguishing each hole game according to the present invention. According to a
prefened embodiment of the present invention, each hole may be distinguished
depending on the kind of golf club used. For example, if a user inputs data informing
usage of a putter (PT) and then shot information about usage of a different kind of club
such as a driver (D) or an iron (I) is stored, it may be determined that the hole game comes to an end since such change of clubs means that the hole is changed.
As an alternative, it is also possible that a predetermined waiting time is preset,
and then it is determined that the hole game comes to an end if a time consumed between two shot information exceeds the waiting time. According to still another embodiment of the present invention, when using a
putter, a user may input and store only the number of putting in the handheld terminal 10. When a short putting is conducted on the green, it may be meaningless to mark a position of a ball putted. That is to say, once a ball is landed on the green, a user
should use a putter (PT), so the user putts a ball several times and then inputs the total
number of putting in the handheld terminal 10. For example, if a user putts three times,
the user may input the buttons in order to 'PT' -> '3' -> '#'. Then, only the putting
number obtained by using the putter is recorded in the shot information 140 of the
portable memory 100. Thus, it is possible to distinguish each hole and calculate a
score on the basis of the putting number.
As still another embodiment, it is also possible to determine whether the hole
game comes to an end by checking that coordinates information matched with each shot
information pertains to the same hole with reference to the coordinates range of the hole,
stored in the map information DB 37. In the present invention, the method of determining end of a hole game is not
limited to the above cases, but it should be understood that various criteria may be
applied to determine end of a hole game within the spirit of the present invention.
In the step S256, if a score of each hole is completely calculated, a total game score is subsequently calculated and stored.
According to a prefened embodiment of the present invention, the score
information stored as mentioned above may be provided to the second client terminal 50
accessing the management server 30, as well shown in FIG. 13.
Refening to FIG. 13, a user or a third party accesses the management server 30 through the communication network 20 by use of the second client terminal 50 and then logs in to the management server 30 (step S310). Preferably, the web management unit 32 of the management server 30 provides a logging-in window to the second client terminal 50, and a user may complete the logging-in process by inputting and sending
his/her own ID and/or password.
Subsequently, the user or the third party clicks one of menus provided from the
web management unit 32 to the second client terminal 50 so as to request score
information of a specific hole to the management server 30 (step S311). If the score information is requested from the client terminal 50, the control unit
31 forces the map generation unit 33 and the score management unit 34 to generate a
map image and extract score information.
Specifically, the score management unit 34 searches and extracts score
information of a user or a desired golfer, previously stored, from the score information DB 38 (step S312).
Next, the map generation unit 33 extracts a map image River_l of the golf
course recorded in the score information table from the map information DB 37 (step
S313).
After that, the map generation unit 33 marks and displays ball positions in order
of hitting on the extracted map image according to the coordinates information shown in the score information (step S314). The map image in which ball positions are marked
may be regenerated and stored in a new image format, as shown in FIG. 14 as an example.
Subsequently, the web management unit 32 provides the score information and
the marked map image to the second client terminal 50 through the communication network 20 (step S315). Then, the second client terminal 50 may displays such information as shown in FIG. 15 for example.
As mentioned above, though the present invention has been described with
reference to limited embodiments and drawings, it should be understood that various
changes and modifications within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the
appended claims will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed
description. For example, in the system for managing golf scores according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention, the handheld terminal may be modified to have configuration as shown in FIG. 16.
Here, most components such as the control unit 11, the input unit 12, the display
unit 13, the GPS coordinates receiving unit 14 and the clock 16 are identical to those
shown in and descried with reference to FIG. 2. In this embodiment, instead of the
portable memory, the access program 110, the ID information DB 120, the time
information DB 130, the shot information DB 140 and the coordinates information DB
150 are recorded and stored in an internal memory 18 of the handheld terminal.
The handheld terminal of this embodiment is provided with a data transmission
port 19 for transmitting various data stored in the memory 18 to an external client
terminal, and a data transmission line is connected thereto for data transmission. The handheld terminal of this embodiment may be a personal portable terminal
such as a mobile terminal or a PDA equipped with a GPS coordinates receiving function.
In this case, the input unit 12 does not directly include the club section buttons 14a and
the number buttons 14b, but it is preferable that a user may select a club with the use of direction buttons and number buttons according to menus displayed on the display unit 13. In addition, it is also possible that time information provided from a service provider of a mobile communication network is used instead of the clock 16.
In operation of the handheld terminal according to this embodiment, a user
inputs the shot information 140 by selecting, for example, a displayed menu as an input
key, and this shot information 140 is stored in the memory 18 together with time
information. In addition, as mentioned above, if the time information 130 and the shot
information 140 are input, the control unit 11 of the handheld terminal 10 operates the
GPS coordinates receiving unit 14 so as to receive coordinates information about a
cunent position of the handheld terminal 10 from the GPS 60, and then the received
coordinates information is stored in the memory 18. Preferably, the access program
110 may be installed in the memory 18 by accessing the management server 30 or
another web server through a wired/wireless network and then downloading the access
program in advance. The ID information DB 120 stores peculiar number information
of the mobile terminal.
If the game ends after repeating the data inputting process, a user connects a data
receiving port (not shown) of the first client terminal 40 prepared in the golf course or at a third place to the data transmission port 19 of the handheld terminal via a separate
transmission line. Then, the control unit 11 transmits the information stored in the
memory 18 to the first client terminal 40 through the transmission line so that the
information is downloaded to the first client terminal 40. Subsequently, the control unit 41 of the first client terminal 40 executes the
access program 110, and connects to the management server 30 through the
communication network 20. The following procedure is identical to that of the former embodiment.
According to still another embodiment of the present invention, a golfer may
input his/her own shot information by use of a small remote controller, as shown in
FIGs. 17 and 18. FIG. 17 shows a remote controller 70 carried by a golfer for inputting
shot information, and FIG. 18 shows a handheld terminal to which the shot information
is input by the remote controller 70. According to this embodiment, a golfer just carries the remote controller 70 that
has a relatively smaller size, and the handheld terminal may be carried by a caddy or on
a cart so that the golfer may input shot information.
The remote controller 70 transmits data with the handheld terminal by means of,
for example, a Bluetooth communication method. For this purpose, the remote
controller 70 includes a control unit 71 for controlling each component, an input unit 72
used for inputting shot information, a display unit 73 for displaying guidance menu and
input information, and a bluetooth transmission module 74 for transmitting the input
information. The input unit 72 includes club selection buttons 14a, number buttons
14b, a game start button 14c and a game end button 14d, as provided in the handheld
terminal shown in FIG. 3. Preferably, these buttons are small so that the remote
controller 70 may have a small size.
The handheld terminal shown in FIG. 18 is substantially identical to the
handheld terminal shown in FIG. 2, except that a bleutooth receiving module 18 for
receiving data transmitted from the bluetooth transmission module 74 of the remote controller 70 is provided. As for the operation of this embodiment, a golfer inputs shot information by means of the input unit 72 of the remote controller 70, and the input information is
transmitted to the handheld terminal via the bluetooth transmission module 74.
Subsequently, the shot information is received by means of the bluetooth receiving
module 18 of the handheld terminal, and the following procedure is identical to that of
the former embodiment.
According to still another embodiment of the present invention, a user may input
shot information by voice, not using buttons. For this purpose, a remote controller 80
shown in FIG. 19 is provided with a voice recognition unit 81 that recognizes and
encodes voice input through a microphone. Other components are identical to the former description.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention has the following effects.
First, the system of the present invention may be used without intenupting the
game since a golfer simply inputs his/her own shot information, namely the kind of golf
club, by means of the handheld terminal while enjoying the game for the management of
golf scores. Second, since the handheld terminal may request accurate coordinates
information according to simple input of a golfer, and then receives and stores the
coordinates information, a may not check a ball position separately.
Third, game information is automatically transmitted to the management server only if a golfer connects the portable memory to a certain client terminal, and a golf score is calculated accordingly. Thus, the present invention allows a user to manage golf scores in a very convenient way.
Fourth, a golfer as well as a third party may be provided with a cunent position
of the golf ball shot by the golfer, marked on a map of the golf course, by accessing the
management server with a client terminal. Thus, the present invention ensures more
accurate and systematic score management.
Fifth, the weather information and the score information are updated and
recorded in real time in the management server of the present invention together with
the coordinates information about a ball hit by a golfer, so it is possible to provide
various kinds of golf-related program services by utilizing such data.
The present invention has been described in detail. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating
prefened embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since
various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will
become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.