WO2005032672A1

WO2005032672A1 - Information system for golf players

Info

Publication number: WO2005032672A1
Application number: PCT/IB2004/003176
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hendrik Jacques Boshoff Claassens; Rory Colin Montgomery
Original assignee: Claassens Hendrik Jacques Bosh; Rory Colin Montgomery
Priority date: 2003-10-01
Filing date: 2004-09-30
Publication date: 2005-04-14

Abstract

A method and an information system (10) are provided for providing information to golf players. The system (10) includes meteorological instruments (12) that communicate meteorological data to a central computer (14), from where it is transmitted via a transmitter (16) to pods (20), disposed at spaced positions on a golf course. The meteorological data is displayed on a screen (24) of each pod (20) in the form of an arrow (42) pointing in the true wind direction, taking into account the orientation of the pod (20). They system (10) includes a database (18) and is accessible via a cellular telephone network (34) and the internet (38). The invention also allows for communicating non-meteorological data.

Description

INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR GOLF PLAYERS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

THIS INVENTION relates to providing information including weather conditions, in remote outdoor locations. In particular, it relates to an information system for golf players.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Weather conditions usually have a very significant impact on the level of enjoyment and comfort experienced during outdoor activities, and are notoriously variable. Participants in outdoor activities can typically consult information sources prior to commencing their outdoor activities, but would not necessarily be aware of changes in the weather conditions while they are taking part in the outdoor activities. These problems are particularly acute in an outdoor activities such as golf, since golf games typically last for extended periods during which substantial changes in weather conditions can occur, golf courses typically include holes that are located far from club houses or similar places where access may be had to detailed information on weather conditions, and due to the height and distances that golf balls travel, the effect of wind on a golf player's game, is quite substantial. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an information system including: at least one meteorological instrument, for monitoring atmospheric conditions and providing meteorological data; at least one transmitter, connected to the meteorological instrument to receive the meteorological data, and configured to transmit the meteorological data; and a plurality of terminals, each terminal including a receiver configured to receive the data transmitted from the transmitter, and including display means, configured to display at least part of the data; wherein that at least some of the terminals are disposed at spaced apart locations on at least one golf course.

The information system may include a processor configured for processing at least part of the data according to data processing steps that are specific for at least some of the terminals, so that the data to be displayed at each of these terminals may be processed according to the disposition, i.e. the location and/or orientation, of the terminal.

The meteorological data may include wind direction data, and the display means of terminals disposed on a golf course may be configured to display the wind direction by way of graphic elements on the display means, with orientations corresponding to the wind direction.

The processor may be configured to process the wind direction data, and each of the terminals disposed on the golf course may be configured to interpret the processed data to display the graphic element with an orientation to indicate true wind direction relative to the golf course, taking into account the orientation of the terminal.

The processor may be configured to receive non- meteorological data from at least one non-meteorological data source, and to transmit the non-meteorological data to the terminals, and the terminals may be configured to display the non-meteorological data on the display means. The non-meteorological data source may be at least one terminal of the system.

The terminals may be connectable to the processor via radio signals, the internet, a cellular telephone network, or the like.

The information system may include a database for storing at least the meteorological data.

The terminals may include solar panels, configured to provide power to the terminals. At least some of the terminals may be located in the vicinities of golf tees.

The meteorological instruments may be configured to monitor at least one of: wind direction, wind speed, barometric pressure, humidity, and temperature, e.g. the meteorological instruments may include a wind vane, anemometer, barometer, hygrometer, thermometer, any combination of these instruments, etc.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of providing information, said method including the steps of: monitoring atmospheric conditions to provide meteorological and other data; transmitting the meteorological and other data; receiving the meteorological and other data in remote terminals; and displaying the meteorological and other data as information at the terminals; wherein at least some of the terminals are disposed at spaced apart locations on at least one golf course.

The method may include the step of processing at least part of the meteorological data according to data processing steps that are specific for at least some of the terminals so that the information displayed at each of these terminals is processed according to the disposition, i.e. the location and/or orientation, of the terminal. The processed meteorological data may include wind direction data that may be interpreted in at least some of the terminals disposed on the golf course, to display a graphic element on each of these terminals that may be orientated to indicate true wind direction relative to the golf course, taking into account the orientation of each of the terminals.

The method may include transmitting non-meteorological data to at least some of the terminals, such as promotional information, player scores, hole distances, warnings etc.

The invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an information system in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 shows a schematic layout of information displayed on a display screen of a terminal of the system of Figure 1.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, an information system in accordance with the invention for use by golf players, is designated generally by reference numeral 10.

The information system 10 includes meteorological instruments 12, processing means in the form of a central computer 14 including a processor, a transmitter 16, a central database 18 and terminals in the form of pods 20.

The meteorological instruments 12 include a wind vane, anemometer, barometer, hygrometer, thermometer or any combination of these instruments to measure wind direction, wind speed, barometric pressure, humidity, rainfall, temperature, etc. The meteorological instruments can be located anywhere where it can monitor atmospheric conditions, e.g. a position on top of a clubhouse of a golf course, or any other suitably elevated position. The meteorological instruments 12 are configured to monitor the atmospheric conditions and to provide a data stream of meteorological data.

The instruments 12 are connected to the central computer 14 via a concentrator 28, that is configured to receive the meteorological data from the instruments and to provide the data to the central computer 14. The central computer 14 is connected to the transmitter 16 which in turn is configured to transmit the meteorological data to the pods 20, by way of radio signals 30, or the like. Each of the pods 20 includes a receiver 22 for receiving the radial signal 30 including the meteorological data, and includes display means in the form of an LCD display screen 24 and a solar panel 26 for providing power to the pod 20. The pods 20 are installed at spaced apart locations on a golf course, preferably with one pod close to each tee of the golf course. A schematic layout of information displayed on an LCD display screen 24, is shown in Figure 2 of the drawings.

Structurally, each pod 20 is in the form of a sturdy metal box, mounted on top of a pole 40 with its lower end encased in cast concrete. The structure of the pod 20 is resistant to theft and/or tampering.

The central computer 14 is connected to the database 18, so that it can store data on the database and retrieve it. The central computer 14 is also accessible from a telephone 32, connected to the central computer 14 via a cellular telephone network 34, and is accessible from a remote computer 36, via a computer network such as a local area network or the internet 38.

For the purpose of illustration, the pods 20 have been shown in one way communication with the central computer 14 via the transmitter 16 and radio signals 30, while the telephone 32 and remote computer 36 are shown in two way communication with the central computer 14 via the telephone network 34 and internet 38, respectively. However, the telephone 32 and remote computer 36 should also be viewed as terminals of the system 10 and depending on the configuration of the system, communication between the central computer 14, and the telephone 32 and remote computer 36, can be one way communication, e.g. information can only be transmitted from the central computer 14 to the telephone and remote computer 36, and/or the communication between the pods 20 and the central computer 14 can be configured to take place in two directions via radio signals 30 or other means, such as a computer or telephone network.

In use, meteorological data is generated by the meteorological instruments 12 and is transferred to the central computer 14 via the concentrator 28. The central computer 14 processes the meteorological data according to data processing steps that are specific for the pods 20 according to the location and/or orientation of each pod. The central computer 14 particularly processes the wind direction data to remodel it according to the location and orientation of each pod 20 on the golf course. Thereafter, the meteorological data is transferred to the database 18 and the transmitter 16, which transmits it in the form of radio signals 30 that are received by the receivers 22 of the pods 20.

The pods 20 display the meteorological data as user-friendly meteorological information on the display screen 24 for use by golfers. In particular, the wind direction is displayed as a graphic element in the form of an arrow 42, orientated in the true wind direction relative to the golf course, while wind speed, temperature, likelihood of rain, etc. are displayed numerically.

The central computer 14 is configured to receive non- meteorological data from non-meteorological sources, e.g. from the remote computer 36 or a telephone 32. The non-meteorological data can include advertisements, announcements, time tables or schedules of a golf club, or the like, and the non-meteorological data can be stored in the database 18 and/or can be transmitted to the pods 20 or other terminals such as the telephones 32 or remote computers 36, as required. In the illustrated example, advertisements such as company names 44 and messages from the club house 46 can be illustrated on the display screen 24, as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. Further non-meteorological data relating to individual holes on the golf course 48 can be displayed on the display screen 24 of the pod 20 associated with that hole, e.g. the hole distance.

The invention illustrated holds the advantages that the meteorological data and non-meteorological data is made accessible to golf players on the golf course, via the display screens 24, to keep the golf players informed of weather conditions, messages from the club house, etc., while allowing for the commercial advantages of advertising on the display screens.

The invention illustrated holds the further advantages that the meteorological data is remotely accessible from telephones 32 and remote computers 36, so that it is possible to obtain information remotely, e.g. to assist a user in planning a game of golf. The communication between remote telephones 32 and remote computers 36 also allows for information to be communicated to the central computer 14, e.g. when a user wants to make a booking on a golf course, wants to check the availability of a golf course, etc.

Claims

1. An information system 10 including: at least one meteorological instrument 12, for monitoring atmospheric conditions and providing meteorological data; at least one transmitter 16, connected to the meteorological instrument 12 to receive the meteorological data, and configured to transmit the meteorological data; and a plurality of terminals 20, each terminal including a receiver 22 configured to receive the data transmitted from the transmitter 16, and including display means 24, configured to display at least part of the data; characterised in that at least some of the terminals 20 are disposed at spaced apart locations on at least one golf course.

2. An information system 10 as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that it includes a processor 14 configured for processing at least part of the data according to data processing steps that are specific for at least some of the terminals 20, so that the data to be displayed at each of these terminals 20 can be processed according to the disposition of the terminal 20.

3. An information system 10 as claimed in Claim 2, characterised in that the meteorological data includes wind direction data, and the display means 24 of terminals disposed on a golf course are configured to display the wind direction by way of graphic elements 42 on the display means 24, with orientations corresponding to the wind direction.

4. An information system 10 as claimed in Claim 3, characterised in that the processor 14 is configured to process the wind direction data, and each of the terminals 20 disposed on the golf course is configured to interpret the processed data to display the graphic element 42 with an orientation to indicate true wind direction relative to the golf course, taking into account the orientation of the terminal 20.

5. An information system 10 as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the processor 14 is configured to receive non-meteorological data from at least one non-meteorological data source 14,32,36, and to transmit the non-meteorological data to the terminals 20, and the terminals 20 are configured to display the non-meteorological data on the display means 24.

6. An information system 10 as claimed in Claim 5, characterised in that the non-meteorological data source 14,32,36 is at least one terminal of the system.

7. An information system 10 as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that some of the terminals 20 are connectable to the processor 14 via radio signals 30.

8. An information system 10 as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that some of the terminals 36 are connectable to the processor 14 via the internet 38.

9. An information system 10 as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that some of the terminals 32 are connectable to the processor 14 via a cellular telephone network 34.

10. An information system 10 as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it includes a database 18 for storing at least the meteorological data.

11. An information system 10 as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the terminals 20 include solar panels 26, configured to provide power to the terminals 20.

12. An information system 10 as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least some of the terminals 20 are located in the vicinities of golf tees.

13. An information system 10 as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the meteorological instruments 12 are configured to monitor at least one of: wind direction, wind speed, barometric pressure, humidity, and temperature.

14. A method of providing information, said method including the steps of: monitoring atmospheric conditions to provide meteorological data; transmitting the meteorological data; receiving the meteorological data in remote terminals 20; and displaying the meteorological data as information at the terminals 20; characterised in that at least some of the terminals 20 are disposed at spaced apart locations on at least one golf course.

15. A method as claimed in Claim 14, characterised by the step of processing at least part of the meteorological data according to data processing steps that are specific for at least some of the terminals 20, so that the information displayed at each of these terminals 20 is processed according to the disposition of the terminal 20.

16. A method as claimed in Claim 14, characterised in that the processed meteorological data includes wind direction data that is interpreted in at least some of the terminals 20 disposed on the golf course, to display a graphic element 42 on each of these terminals 20 that is orientated to indicate true wind direction relative to the golf course, taking into account the orientation of each of the terminals 20.

17. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 13 to 16, characterised by transmitting non-meteorological data to at least some of the terminals 20.