The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 19, 1994
Filed:
Jan. 24, 1992
Gordon Matthews, Austin, TX (US);
Other;
Abstract
A system for monitoring play of a golfer (24, 26) comprises Location Information Transmitters (LIT) (54, 56) at predetermined locations within a golf course and a Mobile Electronic Transmitter/Receiver (METAR) (48, 50) carried in association with a golfer (24, 26) on a golf cart (28) or golf bag (32). A METAR (48) periodically transmits a METAR code over a restricted transmission range (300). In response to the METAR (48) being proximate to a LIT (54), LIT (54) receives the METAR code. After receiving the METAR code, LIT (54) transmits a play monitoring signal including its LIT code and the received METAR code to a Tracking Center (227) located in a clubhouse (22). Golf course personnel in the clubhouse (22) can monitor a display terminal (242) of the Tracking Center (227) and determine play of golfers (24, 26), use of golf carts (28, 34) and use of golf holes (10, 14). If a golfer (24) causes a slow play condition, the Tracking Center (227) is notified and the golfer (24) is asked to increase the rate of play or leave the golf course. Additionally, in response to METAR (48) receiving a signal from an LIT (54) associated with a particular hole, METAR (48) can count down the time allotted to play that hole, and notify golfer (24) if that time is exceeded.