Abstract:
A system that creates a record of an activity that involves a route including visits to a plurality of locations. The record is of an aesthetic appeal and useful for recording the specifics of the activity. The participant of the activity carries a recording device that records the coordinates of locations visited. This information is downloaded to a processing computer, and a keepsake is created.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This is a continuation-in-part of commonly assigned application U.S. Ser. No. 09/769,986, entitled “A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REPRESENTING AN ACTIVITY INVOLVING A ROUTE ALONG A PLURALITY OF LOCATIONS”, filed on Jan. 25, 2001 in the names of Fredlund et al, and which is assigned to the assignee of this application. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a system and method of capturing and displaying data representing an activity along a plurality of locations, such as golf or hiking.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Golf courses provide score cards to allow the golfers to record their scores. These score cards are useful in many ways. For example, generally a course name and logo are displayed on the card. Course information is displayed on the card so that the golfer will know approximate distances to the hole. Par information is displayed for each hole. The golfer can record the number of strokes taken to complete each hole, and upon completion of the course, can tally up all strokes for the final score.  
         [0004]     Golfers often retain score cards as a keepsake of the course, the particular round, or the score on a particular hole. The score card is useful to trigger the memory of the golfer, but it is a very limited keepsake. For example, the score card is particularly limited in its visual aspects in that the recorded numbers are a poor representation of success on the course, and of the physical beauty of the course. Additionally, the score card provides limited information on how the course was played by the golfer. The number of strokes is recorded, but not the position or difficulty of the shots. Further, the score card does not lend itself well to improving the golfer&#39;s game.  
         [0005]     Similarly, hikers treasure the maps of routes they have taken, and often retain the maps as a keepsake. The hikers sometimes even manually record their routes on the maps. These maps are often large and unwieldy and often display areas well beyond the area of travel. In most cases the map is an impersonal remembrance of the trip.  
         [0006]     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,580, Lobb discloses a computer-aided game apparatus for providing information and for assisting a golfer during the progress of the game. The apparatus includes a printer to allow the golfer to download the golfer&#39;s game statistics. Fraker, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,434,789, shows a golf diagnostic system that records ball positions on the basis of global positioning system (GPS) readings, and may be used for keeping track of scores obtained. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,507,485, Fisher shows a portable golf computer that is programmed to record a golfer&#39;s score, determine the location of the cart and/or golfer, and display the layout of each hole on the golf computer. None of the aforementioned systems provide a keepsake of more value than a traditional score card.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a system that automatically creates a record of an activity that is of superior aesthetic appeal and of more use for recording the specifics of the locations visited.  
         [0008]     This object is achieved by creating an image representing an activity involving a route including visits to a plurality of locations, comprising the steps of: 
        a) providing a participant in the activity with a recording device for recording the coordinates of his location;     b) participating in the activity accompanied by the recording device; and     c) employing the coordinates recorded by the recording device to produce an image showing the route taken by the participant during the activity.       
 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  depicts a device used for recording ball placement and recording strokes;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the device shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a diagram of a system for creating a record of an activity according to the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a diagram showing a golf course and a route taken by a particular golfer produced according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  depicts a golfing keepsake produced according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  depicts a golfing keepsake in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart of a method that implements the present invention; and  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  depicts a keepsake provided to a hiker in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 9  shows a networked recording device displaying analysis information. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0021]     In general, the present invention can be used to record a particular route taken during an activity and produce a keepsake, such as a map, showing the route taken. The keepsake may be a print of an image, or other object bearing an image, such as a map, postcard, tee-shirt, mug, or album. The activity may be discrete or be comprised of a round of activity. Examples of such activities include golfing, hiking, long distance running, mountain climbing, fishing, bicycling, skiing, boating, road rallys, and vacation travel. For ease of explanation, the present invention will be described using the activity of golfing.  
         [0022]      FIG. 1  shows a recording device used in accordance with the present invention to record the stroke locations in a round of golf. The recording device  10  includes a ball placement button  12  that is pressed whenever the golfer is about to strike the ball. Alternatively, the ball placement button  12  may be actuated just after the ball is stuck. The golfer stands at the stroke location and presses the placement button  12  whenever a stroke is taken. Alternatively, a remote triggering device  14  may be provided to remotely trigger recording device  10 . That is, the golfer wears the recording device  10  and a caddy or playing partner, triggers a ball placement button  12  disposed on the remote triggering device  14  to record the position of the ball for each stroke. The recording device  10  records that a stroke has been taken, and the location on the course where the ball placement button  12  was pressed. In this manner, the number of strokes and the location from which each stroke was taken is recorded.  
         [0023]     The recording device  10  may also include a hole button  16  that is pressed when the golfer has sunk a putt in the hole. When the hole button  16  is pressed, the recording device  10  will record that the golfer has finished the hole and record the score for that hole. Alternative means may be used to record the finish of a hole such as a double actuation, or a long duration actuation of the ball placement button  12 . Another alternative is a sensor disposed in the bottom of the cup on the green, indicating that the golfer has sunk a putt in the hole, thereby recording that the golfer has finished the hole. A bar code on the golfer&#39;s ball may be a further alternative.  
         [0024]     Other buttons (not shown) or button functionalities (implemented for example by a touch screen) may be included on the recording device  10  (and/or remote triggering device  14 ) to enable the recording device  10  to record events such as lost balls, penalties, and mulligans. There also may be provisions for correcting errors in capturing ball placement or number of strokes. Provision may also be provided for recording the number of the club (e.g. 5 iron, or 3 wood) used for each stroke.  
         [0025]     The recording device  10  also includes a display  18  for showing the number  20  of the hole, the number of strokes  22  that the golfer has taken on the hole he is playing, and the total current cumulative score  24 . Other numerical data such as distance to the hole  26  (calculated on the basis of present device position and known hole position), par for the current hole  28 , or wind direction and speed (not shown) may also be displayed. Data such as the wind direction and speed, and par for the hole may be provided via a radio frequency (RF) link from a remote location, such as the club house, or by other means known to those skilled in the art. Additionally, the display  18  may be used to show graphical information, such as pin placement on the green or location of hidden hazards. More detailed information may be displayed, such as club selection for shots, or altitude changes from present position to hole. The recording device  10  may be loaded with the particulars of the course at the image processing computer or other station containing the data pertinent to the course. By this means, the recording device  10  may display data for the golfer such as distance to hole, or hidden hazards. The display  18  may be a touch screen so that the ball placement button  12  and hole button  16  are implemented by the touch screen. As with the display  18 , a touch screen display can also be used to correct errors in capturing ball placement or number of strokes.  
         [0026]     The recording device  10  may also comprise a digital camera  25  having a taking lens  27  located on the recording device  10 . The digital camera  25  may be used to capture images during the round of golf, which images can be stored along with the GPS coordinates of the recording device  10  location at the time of image capture in memory. The images can then be used as described below in creating a keepsake of the activity.  
         [0027]     The data loaded/transferred to the recording device  10  may include historical data on the performance of one or more of the golfers. The golfer can become aware of tendencies of a population or of his own prior rounds in this fashion. This awareness may improve the golfer&#39;s score.  
         [0028]     A single recording device  10  could be used for an entire foursome. The recording device  10  would be placed at the site of each golfer&#39;s stroke, or a means may be provided for determining the offset of each golfer&#39;s ball position from the position of the recording device  10 . For example, if the recording device  10  includes an infrared range-finder and a compass, such offsets may be provided automatically by the recording device  10 .  
         [0029]     Figure  2  shows a block diagram of thee recording device  10 . The recording device  10  includes a power supply  30 , such as a battery, and a microprocessor  32 . A memory  34 , a global position system (GPS)  36 , and a data link  38  are connected to the microprocessor  32 . Recording device  10  may optionally comprise other components connected to the microprocessor  32 . For example, if images are to be collected, the digital camera  25  would be connected to the microprocessor  32 . If data regarding date and/or time is to be collected, a clock  37  would be connected to microprocessor  32 . Similarly, if data regarding altitude is to be collected, an altitude sensor  39  (such as an altimeter) would be connected to microprocessor  32 . The data link  38  can be a data port such as a USB or RS 232 port, or an RF link such as a “BLUETOOTH” RF module. Inputs to the recording device  10 , such as by the aforementioned ball placement button  12 , hole button  16 , or the touch screen on display  18 , are shown in  FIG. 2  as user input  40 . The user input  40  are connected to the microprocessor  32 . In a preferred embodiment, the golfer presses the ball placement button  12  and the microprocessor  32  detects the button press. The microprocessor  32  increments a stroke-counter in memory  34  and detects the position information from the GPS  36  and stores the position information along with a stroke number in memory  34 . The display  18  may be updated accordingly to reflect the most recent stroke and distance to hole. The data link  38  provides for downloading to the microprocessor  32  of information pertinent to the course such as par and location of pins and uploading from the microprocessor  32  of stroke and location information captured during the activity to a peripheral device such as an image processing computer or printer, as described below.  
         [0030]     Other suitable means known to those skilled in the art for triangulating a location may be employed, such as a cell tower, to detect the coordinates of the golfer&#39;s location.  
         [0031]      FIG. 3  shows a system in accordance with the present invention comprising an image processing and printing station  42 . The station  42  includes an computer  44  for processing image and data information (hereinafter, computer  44  is referred to as image processing computer  44 ), a user interface  46 , such as a keyboard, a computer display  48 , and an output device or printer  50 , such as an ink jet or thermal printer, all adapted to be connected to the computer  44 . The image processing and printing station  42  may also include a digital camera  52  attached to the image processing computer  44 . The digital camera  52  may be used to capture an image of the golfer and the captured image would be integrated into a keepsake as described below. The image processing and printing station  42  may be located for example behind the counter of a pro shop, or preferably as a free standing kiosk located in the pro shop or the club house.  
         [0032]     The image processing computer  44  is configured to process the information provided by the recording device  10  and produce an output or output image that is prepared by printer  50 . An example of an output image is shown in  FIG. 4 . As shown  FIG. 4 , the output image may be a shot map  54  that includes an outline of the golf course showing the location of a tee  56 , fairway  58 , green  60  (with pin placement  62 ) for each hole of the course. The golfer&#39;s shot locations  64  (represented in  FIG. 4  by dots) and approximate ball trajectories  66  (represented in  FIG. 4  by lines) are illustrated on the golf course outline. A dot (i.e., shot location  54 ) and line (i.e., ball trajectory  56 ) correspond to each stroke the golfer took in the round. The progress of the golfer from tee to hole is displayed graphically on the shot map  54 . In areas where the resolution of the shot map  54  or the resolution of the GPS system is inadequate to show the discrete strokes, such as on the green, a single line  68  may be used with a number  70  beside it to indicate the number of strokes. For example, in  FIG. 4 , the number  70  next to the line  68  is “3”, representing that the golfer took 3 strokes over this distance. The shot map  54  may be a realistic image of the terrain of the golf course, a photograph, such as an aerial photograph, or a realistic rendering of the terrain. Alternatively, the shot map  54  may be a topographical map of the terrain traversed by the route.  
         [0033]     Outputs other than a shot map can be generated by the system in accordance with the present invention. For example,  FIG. 5  shows an output  72  suitable as a keepsake. The keepsake image shown in output  72  relates to one particular hole that has been selected from the round of golf for display. The particular hole selected may have been notable, for example, for the golfer&#39;s low score or the difficulty associated with the hole. In the keepsake shown in  FIG. 5 , the output  72  is a composite image comprising, the golfer&#39;s portrait  74 , which has been captured by the digital camera  52  attached to the image processing computer  44 . A date  76  of the activity may be provided automatically by the image processing computer  44 , or manually input by an operator. The keyboard  46  may be used to select one particular hole  78  (e.g. hole number  5 ) and an associated realistic image  80  (such as a photographic or rendered image) of the particular hole, and to input other information such as the golfer&#39;s name  82  and a description  84  of the results of the hole. The keyboard may also be used to input personal comments by the golfer to reflect memorial moments about the activity. The image processing computer  44  generates a composite image comprising the user-supplied inputs and previously supplied images of the particular hole that has been selected. Optionally, a club logo and name  86  may be incorporated into the composite image. The composite image is then output on the printer  50  and available for the customer as a remembrance of the activity. In the event that the system of the present invention is incorporated as a kiosk or automatically operated system, the inclusion of automatic means of payment may be desirable. For example, the kiosk may be provided with a means for receiving payment, such as a credit card reader (not shown) known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0034]     As described above, the digital image may comprise alphanumeric information and/or iconic information, such as a golf course/club logo and name  86 . Such information disposed in the digital image may also include personally-identifiable information, that is, information attributable to the participant. For example, the golfer&#39;s name, age, date of birth, handicap, golfer&#39;s image, club selection, quotes, comments, and personal reflections.  
         [0035]     The representation of the route taken by the golfer may be graphically connected by means of lines, dots, or a combination thereof, for example, dashed lines or a sequence of dots.  FIG. 6  illustrates a route taken by a golfer graphically connected by dashed lines.  FIG. 6  also illustrates the route shown in exaggerated form, thereby enhancing the keepsake. If the routes of multiple golfers are shown in one digital image, the route of each golfer may be represented by a different graphical connection.  
         [0036]     Turing now to  FIG. 7 , the operation of the system in accordance with the present invention is now described with reference to a flowchart. The recording device  10  is configured/loaded  90  with the particulars of the golf course prior to the golfer beginning the round of golf by means of the data link  38 . Additionally, the recording device  10  may be configured/loaded with the name, or a code corresponding to the identity of the golfer. When the golfer is preparing to take a stroke, he records the stroke  92  by pressing the ball placement button  12 . If the hole is not completed  94  with this stroke, the golfer will repeat the process on the next stroke. If the hole is completed, the golfer records the completion by pressing the hole button  16 . This sequence is repeated  96  until all the holes on the round are completed.  
         [0037]     When all the holes on the round are completed, the recording device  10  is connected  98  to the image processing computer  44  to upload the captured information. As described in more detail above, the recording device  10  may be connected to the image processing computer  44  via an RF link during play. This RF link allows connectivity during play, and will allow the image processing computer  44  to display the performance of the golfer while the round is in progress. This may be desirable if the golfer or many golfers are competing in a tournament. In the case where the recording device  10  is connected to the image processing computer  44  at the end of the activity, the recording device  10  uploads the captured information to the image processing computer  44  at this time  100 . Preferably, the captured information includes the GPS position of the golfer for each stroke. Other uploaded information may be an ID for the golfer, club selection for each shot, or images/scenes captured during the round if the recording device  10  is equipped with the digital camera  25 .  
         [0038]     After the captured information is uploaded, the image processing computer  44  will plot  102  each stroke on the shot map  54  in accordance with known locations on the course map and the ball positions recorded by the golfer. The known locations on the course map are previously loaded into the image processing computer  44 . The shot map  54  is displayed, the image processing computer  44  sends  104  the print file to the printer  50 , and the shot map is printed  106  on printer  50 . The image file of the shot map  54  may additionally be saved to a file on a medium, such as a floppy disk or CD. Such output enables the golfer to view an on-screen representation of his round. Additionally, the image file may be sent to an e-mail address designated by the customer/golfer. Optionally, in addition to documenting the round of one golfer, the shot map  54  may include information corresponding to the shots of other golfers using, for example, different shapes to designate the different golfers, and providing a legend relating the shapes to the identities of the different golfers.  
         [0039]     In addition to providing a keepsake image representing a round or hole of golf, the system of the present invention may be used to create keepsake images for other activities such as hiking, fishing, long distance running, mountain climbing, fishing, bicycling, skiing, boating, road rallys, and vacation travel. For such activities, the participant may carry the recording device  10 . The recording device  10  would be enabled with buttons to initiate recording of locations, or may be programmed to record locations at regular intervals. In the latter case, the participate/user does not need to regularly actuate the record device  10  to record locations, but rather, would start the recording at the beginning of the activity thereby allowing the recording device  10  to automatically record the activity at regular intervals If the recording device  10  has a display  18 , it may also be used to display the user&#39;s location on a map previously loaded into the recording device  10  as is known to those familiar in the GPS art.  
         [0040]     In addition to the system of the present invention being used to record a particular route taken during an activity and produce a map or keepsake showing the route taken, the system of the present invention can be used as a safety and maintenance tool by the golf course. That is, if the golf course is able to track where the golfer&#39;s balls, and thereby the golfers, have been positioned, the grounds crew of the golf course can better understand the areas of the golf course that may require additional maintenance, for example, to repair divots. More specifically, the present invention can be used to record the lie of the golfer&#39;s golf ball. By collecting the information on a plurality of golfers, the grounds crew can determine the high traffic locations on the course, since these traffic areas may require additional maintenance. In a preferred embodiment, an output device would generate a digital image showing the coordinates of the locations recorded by the recording device to indicate candidate locations of the terrain requiring maintenance. It is noted that such a maintenance system for determining candidate maintenance locations can be applied to other activities wherein a terrain is traversed by a plurality of participants. For example, hikers to determine locations for rest stop facilities or skiers to determine grooming areas.  
         [0041]     Accordingly, the present invention can provide a method of maintaining a terrain traversed by a plurality of participants along a route having a plurality of locations, comprising the steps of: providing each of the plurality of participants with a recording device for recording, at various times, a coordinate of the locations of the terrain traversed by each of the plurality of participants; downloading the coordinates of the locations to an image processing computer; and generating a digital image showing the locations recorded by the recording device to indicate locations of the terrain requiring maintenance. A maintenance system for a terrain traversed by a plurality of participants would comprise: a recording device for recording a coordinate of the locations of the terrain at various times for each of the plurality of participants; an image processing computer programmed for generating a digital image showing the locations recorded by the recording device; a link for downloading the coordinates of the locations to the image processing computer; and an output device for generating the digital image showing the coordinates of the locations recorded by the recording device to indicate locations of the terrain requiring maintenance.  
         [0042]     Alternatively, if the managers of the golf course understand where errant golf shots are most frequent (for example, tee shots being directed toward homes built adjacent the gold course or an adjacent green), the managers may be able to modify the golf course to improve the safety for the golfers, for example, by growing natural barriers or placing netting to deflect errant shots.  
         [0043]     Pin placement can also be determined. That is, knowing where many of the golf balls land on the green from an approach shot, the golf course can strategically place the pin to make the hole more challenging.  
         [0044]     In a manner similar to creating the shot map  54  for golfing, if the participant/user is involved in the activity of hiking, a trail map  110  may be created as a keepsake. That is, the recording device  10  may upload the captured location coordinates from the recording device  10  into the image processing computer  44 . The image processing computer  44  uses the coordinates to create the trail map  110  as shown in  FIG. 8  that shows the route  112  (shown in dashed lines) taken by the hiker. The trail map  110  is then displayed and printed as described above.  
         [0045]     As described above, the recording device  10  may include the clock  37 , preferably as part of the microprocessor  32  for recording date and time information along with the GPS coordinate data. If data and time are recorded with each location, the trail map  110  may also show progress along the trail. Icons  114  may be added at or adjacent to locations where an event has occurred. For example, a significant time is spent at a campsite, or the siting of wildlife. Inclusion of times on the map may be of greater significance for sports such as long distance running.  
         [0046]     The system of the present invention is also useful for other activities. For mountain climbing, altitude may be equally important as location, and the altitude sensor  39  may be included in the recording device  10 . Fishermen may use the system for providing a keepsake detailing size, weight, location and times of fish caught. Accordingly, fish weight can be input as data to the recording device  10 .  
         [0047]     Vacationing travel may also be chronicled by the system, whereby the output could be a roadmap sized appropriately to the length of the trip.  
         [0048]     The keepsake can be a video or a collection of digital still images. Images and voice commentary can be captured/recorded during the activity to include in the video keepsake. The video keepsake can include previously acquired images a well-know golf professional playing the same golf hole as the player to show/simulate how a golf pro would play/shot on the hole.  
         [0049]     In a further embodiment, the present invention can be configured as a networked imaging device, for example, a camera, cellular or mobile telephone, PDA (personal digital assistant), or video camera. That is, recording device  10  can include or be a component of such networked imaging devices. The networked recording device can further include a GPS, altimeter, and the like. Such an arrangement will provide for live conditions and live input. For example, an image can be captured/acquired using recording device  10  and then transmitted to another location, such as another player on the course or the course club house. In another example, an image can be captured/acquired using recording device  10  and then analyzed. The analysis can include wind conditions (e.g., speed and direction), distance to a hole, surface conditions, and the like. The analysis can result in club suggestions, suggested hold approaches, stroke information, and the like, such as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . Such information can be recorded on the keepsake.  
         [0050]     Still further, with such a networked arrangement, the golf course can determine the speed/progress of the players on the course, for example, to set tee-times or give time estimates to players waiting to play. Such information can be current and not require a course attendant to travel onto the course. This will allow the course to determine the slow areas of play.  
         [0051]     With the networked imaging device, cameras or other imaging devices disposed on the golf course can be accessed to better analyze the lie of the ball and how to proceed. The camera can provide a graphic/image for the golfer. For example, if the green cannot be seen, it can be accessed using the networked imaging device. If such cameras are employed with other activities along the terrain, for example with hiking, the conditions to where the hiker is traveling can be reviewed.  
         [0052]     The keepsake generated can be previewed and/or ordered using the recording device, thereby allowing the keepsake to be available upon returning to the course club house (or other central location, such as a ranger station if employed for hiking or skiing).  
         [0053]     The recording device can also be configured to display/track the positions/locations of other players on the course. Golf score information can also be displayed. In another configuration, the recording device can be used to place a call for assistance or course concessions.  
         [0054]     The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to a presently preferred embodiment, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalents thereof are intended to be embraced therein.  
       Parts List  
       [0055]    
       
           10  recording device  
           12  ball placement button  
           14  remote triggering device  
           16  hole button  
           18  display  
           20  number  
           22  number of strokes  
           24  total current cumulative score  
           25  digital camera  
           26  distance to the hole  
           27  taking lens  
           28  par for hole  
           30  power supply  
           32  microprocessor  
           34  memory  
           36  global position system  
           37  clock  
           38  data link  
           39  altitude sensor  
           40  user input  
           42  image processing and printing station  
           44  image processing computer  
           46  user interface; keyboard  
           48  computer display  
           50  output device  
           52  digital camera  
           54  shot map  
           56  tee  
           58  fairway  
           60  green  
           62  pin placement  
           64  shot locations  
           66  ball trajectories  
           68  line  
           70  number  
           72  output keepsake  
           74  golfer&#39;s portrait  
           76  date of activity  
           78  selected particular hole  
           80  associated realistic image  
           82  name  
           84  description  
           90  loaded  
           92  record  
           94  hole completed  
           96  round completed  
           98  connected  
           100  uploaded  
           102  plot  
           104  send  
           106  print  
           110  trail map  
           112  route  
           114  icons