PORTABLE GOLF NAVIGATION APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ASSISTING GOLF PLAYER USING THE SAME

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a portable golf navigation apparatus (handheld terminal) that provides navigation information to a golf player in a golf course, using GPS (Global Positioning System)/GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) signals, and a method for assisting a golf player using the portable golf navigation apparatus. [0002] Conventionally, a caddie accompanies golf players and navigates them by providing golf course information. Nowadays, however, the golfing style has been changed and many people play golf without a caddie. Thus, it becomes difficult for golfers to obtain golf course information and smoothly move around the holes, resulting in delays in play. A slowly-moving golf party may also annoy other golf players. [0003] Several types of portable navigation devises for golfing have been proposed. For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication Numbers (JPA) H05-19035, HlO- 113415, and 2006-136641 describe golf navigation devices which measure and display the distance between the current position and the pin (cup) position using GPS satellites; JPA 2004-105350 describes an off-board vehicle navigation system which is also used in golf courses and shows an absolute direction of a cup location; JPA 2003-339929 describes a golf navigation device that records shot positions and displays a play history of the golf player; and JPA 2004-54469 describes a server-based golf information system in which a golf navigation device obtains information from the Internet. It is also known that some golf courses have transmitter stations and antennas for transmitting golf course information such as cup/pin positions of the day, which is received by receivers mounted on golf carts.

[0004] Those portable navigation devices uses cup/pin positions on greens as target locations displayed for golf players' convenience. However, such cup/pin positions are changed periodically by the golf course management, and thus the golf course information has to be updated on a regular basis. Thus, the golf courses need to have equipments to generate and update the cup/pin position information, which would be time-consuming and very costly for the golf courses. In addition, the cup/pin position information has to be registered in the portable navigation devices by golf players or course managers. Furthermore, at golf courses in mountain areas with a poor signal

reception for mobile phone system or the Internet, the portable navigation devices may not be able to obtain cup/pin position information or hole information. [0005] In addition, golf players are typically required to manually input the current hole information on such portable golf navigation devices in order to record shot positions in a particular hole. Calculation of the distance to a target position also requires a user's operation of the devise to input a certain command. Thus, using portable golf navigation devices still takes time and is not as convenient as it should be in order to facilitate smooth and efficient golfing. Some golf players also keep records of information other than scores, such as the weather and wind conditions, grain of grass, and the like, at the time of each shot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The embodiments of the present invention provide a portable golf navigation apparatus and a method for assisting a golf player using the same. The portable golf navigation apparatus includes a processor, a memory for storing golf course information, a GPS/GNSS receiver for receiving GPS/GNSS signals, a sensor module including a direction sensor and an accelerometer, a display section, and a user input device for receiving a user command to operate the apparatus. The direction sensor detects an orientation of the apparatus, and the accelerometer detects a tilt and acceleration of the apparatus. The processor is so configured that the portable golf navigation apparatus calculates a current position of the apparatus based on the received GPS/GNSS signals; calculates a distance from the current position to a selected target within a hole; determines a current orientation of the apparatus based on the detected orientation and tilt; determines a direction to the selected target based on the current orientation of the apparatus; and displays an indication of the selected target, the distance to the selected target, and the direction to the selected target. The processor compensates the detected orientation using the detected tilt to obtain the current orientation of the apparatus. [0007] The portable golf navigation apparatus automatically calculates and displays the indication of the selected target, the distance to the selected target, and the direction to the selected target in real time without receiving a user command. The direction to the selected target may be graphically displayed on the display section using a directional shape pointing to the selected target.

[0008] The portable golf navigation apparatus automatically determines a current hole if the current position calculated form the GPS/GNSS signals enters within a

predetermined radius from a center of a teeing ground of a hole, in accordance with the golf course information stored in the memory. The hole information including a hole number, a per number, and at least one target of the current hole may be automatically displayed based on the golf course information stored in the memory. The portable golf navigation apparatus may start searching through the stored golf course information for position information of teeing grounds in a next hole when the current position enters within a predetermined distance from the center of the green in the current hole. [0009] The portable golf navigation apparatus may also automatically determine a golf course in which the apparatus is located, based on the detected current position and the golf course information stored in the memory. The portable golf navigation apparatus searches through the stored golf course information for a matching golf course having a latitude range and a longitude range within which the current position is located. If no matching golf course is found or the search is interrupted, the portable golf navigation apparatus may display a name of predetermined geographical area in which the current position is located.

[0010] The portable golf navigation apparatus may record a shot position and optional associated information in the memory in response to a user commend, and automatically display a distance from the recorded shot position to the current position as a flying distance in real time. [0011] The portable golf navigation apparatus may further include a wireless transceiver and a connection section both coupled to the processor. The transceiver transmits and receives wireless signals to and from an external device, and the connection section provides bi-directional communications with an external device. The portable golf navigation apparatus may receive new golf course information via one of the wireless transceiver or the connector section, and update the golf course information stored in the memory.

[0012] The portable golf navigation apparatus may transmit in real time the detected current position to the external device via the wireless transceiver, and transmit selected information stored in the memory to the external device via one of the wireless transceiver or the connector section.

[0013] The portable golf navigation apparatus may further include a voice input device for receiving a user voice message so as to record the voice message on the memory as audio data. The memory of the portable golf navigation apparatus may also

store audio data for voice guidance messages, and the apparatus may further include an audio output section coupled to the processor such that the audio output section outputs a voice signal announcing the distance to the selected target and a distance to a hazard. [0014] The portable golf navigation apparatus may receive specific target information from a user via the user input device, and calculate a distance to a user-specified target and display the distance on the display.

[0015] The portable golf navigation apparatus may includes a pedometer module configured to detect and record a number of steps based on detection signals from the accelerometer, to calculate an amount of calories burned by a user based on the numbed of steps and user information stored in the memory, and to display the number of steps and the amount of calories on the display section in response to a user command received via the user input device.

[0016] In another aspect of the present invention, the method of assisting a golfer using the portable golf navigation apparatus includes (a) receiving GPS/GNSS signals from satellites at the GPS/GNSS receiver, (b) calculating a current position of the apparatus based on the received GPS/GNSS signals, (c) calculating a distance from the current position to a selected target within a hole, (d) detecting an orientation of the apparatus using the direction sensor, (e) detecting a tilt of the apparatus using the accelerometer, (f) determining a current orientation of the apparatus by compensating the detected orientation using the detected tilt, (g) determining a direction to the selected target based on the current orientation of the apparatus, and (h) displaying on the display section an indication of the selected target, the distance to the selected target, and the direction to the selected target. The direction to the selected target may be graphically displayed on the display section using a directional shape pointing to the selected target. [0017] A current golf course may be automatically determined based on the current position, by searching through the stored golf course information for a matching golf course having longitude and latitude ranges within which the current position is located. If no matching golf course is found or the search is interrupted, the name of a predetermined geographical area in which the current position is located may be displayed. When the current position calculated form the GPS/GNSS signals enters within a predetermined radius from a center of a teeing ground of a hole, the hole may be automatically determined as the current hole. The hole information including a hole number, a per number, and at least one target of the current hole may be displayed in

accordance with the golf course information stored in the memory. When the current position enters within a predetermined distance from the center of the green in the current hole, a search through the stored golf course information for position information of teeing grounds in the next hole may started. [0018] A user command may be received to via the user input device, and a shot position and optional associated information is recorded in the memory in response to the user commend. A distance from the recorded shot position to the current position (i.e., at the next shot) may be automatically displayed as a flying distance in real time. [0019] New golf course information may be received via the wireless transceiver or the connector section, and the golf course information stored in the memory may be updated accordingly. The current position may be transmitted in real time via the wireless transceiver or the connector section to an external device. Selected information stored in the memory may also be transmitted to an external device via the wireless transceiver or the connector section. [0020] A user voice message may be received via a voice input device of the portable golf navigation apparatus, and the corresponding audio data may be recorded on the memory. In addition, the memory may store audio data for voice guidance messages, and a voice signal may be output, announcing the distance to the selected target and a distance to a hazard. [0021] Specific target information may be received from a user via the user input device, and the distance to a user-specified target from the current position may be calculated and displayed on the display.

[0022] In one aspect of the present invention, the method also provides golf players with a pedometer function. The number of steps is detected and recorded based on detection signals from the accelerometer, an amount of calories burned by a user is calculated based on the number of steps and user information stored in the memory, and the number of steps and the amount of calories are displayed on the display section in response to a user command received via the user input device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0023] The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

[0024] FIGS. IA- ID are schematic diagrams showing an example of the external views of a portable golf navigation apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the portable golf navigation apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a tabular diagram showing an example of information stored in the external memory and/or the storage medium of the portable golf navigation apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams schematically illustrating examples of the display showing an arrow indicating the direction to a target, an indication (icon) of the target, and the distance from the current position to the target, as well as the hole information and the current time, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIGS. 4C and 4D are diagrams schematically illustrating how the direction to the selected target (the arrow) displayed on the display keeps pointing to the target when the portable golf navigation apparatus is rotated, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 4E is a diagram schematically illustrating another example of the display showing a plurality of targets in a hole in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 4F is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the display screen allowing a golfer to register a ball/shot position in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 5A is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the display screen in the pedometer mode in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 5B is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the display screen in the compass mode in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a method for assisting a golf player using the portable golf navigation apparatus, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIGS. 7-9 are flow diagrams illustrating a method for recoding shot/ball position, recording voice messages, and updating the golf course information,

respectively, using the portable golf navigation apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of operations of the portable golf navigation apparatus in a pedometer mode, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0036] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to a few preferred embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps and/or structures have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure the present invention. [0037] FIGS. IA- ID show an example of the external view of the left side, the front side, the right side, and the back side, respectively, of a portable golf navigation apparatus 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The portable golf navigation apparatus 10 may also be referred to as a handheld golf navigation terminal or a golfing GPS. As shown in FIGS. IA- ID, the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 has a body 12, a power switch 14, a display 16, and a user input device 18. The dimension of the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 (the body 12 thereof) may be about 40-50 mm wide, about 70-80 mm long, and about 20-30 mm thick in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The dimension may be smaller or larger. However, it is preferable that the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 has a dimension that is suitable to hold it with one hand (or "palm- sized") and/or to carry it in a pocket. The display 16 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), preferably, a black-and-white display for better visibility under the bright sun light. However, the display 16 may be a color LCD. The user input device 18 may include buttons or keys to enter commands, scroll the display screen, change items to be displayed, make a selection from displayed items, and the like. The user input device 18 may have a different shapes and configurations form those shown in FIG. IB. The portable golf navigation apparatus 10 also has a connector (connection section) 20 which provides bi-directional communications with external devices such as portable game consoles, personal computers, or other information processing devices via a cable, for example, a USB cable.

[0038] The portable golf navigation apparatus 10 may also have a voice input device 22 such as a microphone to input and record a golf player's voice message, and an audio output device 24 such as a speaker. The power source 26 of the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 may be dry-cell batteries as shown in FIG. ID, or a rechargeable battery. If a rechargeable battery is used, the USB connecter may also provide an electrical connection for charging the battery. The internal structure (such as a circuit board, processor, memory sensors, antennas, and the like) of the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 is not shown in FIGS. IA- ID. [0039] FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 includes a processor 28, a memory 30, a GPS/GNSS receiver 40 with an internal antenna 42, a sensor module 50, and a user interface 60. The portable golf navigation apparatus 10 may also include a wireless transceiver 72, as well as the connection section (connector) 20, coupled to the processor 28, for transmitting and receiving wireless signals to and from an external device. The wireless transceiver may include an internal antenna 74. [0040] As shown in FIG. 2, the memory 30 may include an internal memory 32 such as a random access memory (RAM), and an external memory 34 such as a flash memory (FROM). The memory 30 may also include an auxiliary memory drive 36, and a storage medium 38 such as a memory card. The memory drive 36 writes and reads data to and from the storage medium 38. The external memory 34 stores golf course information and other information. For example, the golf course information includes, among others, golf course names, a hole number of each hole for each course, a par number of each hole, coordinates (latitudes and longitudes) of a center, a near (front) edge, and a far (back) edge of each green in each hole (predetermined targets), and coordinates of teeing grounds for each hole. The center of a green may be a center of gravity obtained form the area of the green. The golf course information may further include coordinates of hazards (bankers, ponds, streams, trees, bushes, etc.) in each hole, coordinates of doglegs in each hole, and coordinates of boundaries between a fairway and a rough. The coordinates of a target (an area) may be those of the nearest edge, or the center of gravity of the area. The golf course information is updatable. The memory 30 typically stores fixed (preinstalled) data and variable (new or updated) data. In addition, user-defined target information such

as today's pin positions obtained from an external source, coordinates manually input by the user via the user input device 18, and the like may also be stored as the variable data. [0041] FIG. 3 shows an example of information stored in the external memory 34 and/or the storage medium 38 of the memory 30, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that the memory 30 does not have to store all of the information listed in FIG. 3, and may store additional information not listed in FIG. 3. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the memory 30 may contain pre-recorded golf course information for all of the golf courses in a certain geographic area, for example, a country (Japan, Korea, and the like), a state (California, Florida, Hawaii, and the like), or a region (Northern California, Southern California, and the like), such that a user does not have to obtain the golf course information from an outside source (such as the Internet) prior to using the apparatus.

[0042] The GPS/GNSS receiver 40 is coupled to the processor 28, and receives GPS/GNSS signals from GPS/GNSS satellites. The GPS/GNSS receiver 40 included an internal antenna 42 provided inside the body 12 of the portable golf navigation apparatus 10. The portable golf navigation apparatus 10 may also utilize other GNSS satellites, such as those of Galileo positioning system, GLONASS (GLObal'naya NAvigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema), SBAS (Satellite Based Argumentation Systems), and the like. [0043] The sensor module 50 is coupled to the processor 28, and includes a direction sensor 52 and an accelerometer 54. The sensor module 50 may be a 6-axis sensor (3 axes for direction, and 3 axes for acceleration). The direction sensor 52 detects the current orientation of the portable golf navigation apparatus 10, and the accelerometer 53 detects the tilt and acceleration/movement of the portable golf navigation apparatus 10. The sensor section 50 may output respective detection signals to the processor 28. [0044] The user interface 60 includes the display 16, the user input device 18, the voice input device 22, and the audio output device 24, which are typically provided on the front face of the portable golf navigation apparatus 10, as shown in FIG. IB. However, some buttons or keys, or other input/output devices may be provided on side faces of the portable golf navigation apparatus 10. The user interface 60 allows a user (golf player) to operate the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 by inputting commands or selections via the user input device 18, for example, to activate a certain function, to select a certain operational mode, to record voice messages via the voice input device 22, and the like.

[0045] The processor 28 is configured to perform various calculations and to control operations of the memory 30, the display 16, and the audio output device 24, automatically and/or based on user commands received from the user input device 18. The processor 28 also processes the GPS/GNSS signals received from the GPS/GNSS receiver 40 and determines date and time, latitude, longitude, altitude, moving direction, velocity, and the like. The processor 28 also calculates orientation, tilt, acceleration, and the like from the signals output from the sensor module 50.

[0046] After the processor 28 calculates the current position of the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 based on the GPS/GNSS signals received via the GPS/GNSS receiver 40, the processor 28 may automatically search and determine a golf course in which the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 is located. For example, the processor 28 searches through the golf course information stored in the memory 30 for a matching golf course having a latitude range and a longitude range within which the current position is located. If no matching golf course is found in the data stored in the memory 30 after the search, or the search process is interrupted, the processor 28 may display the name of a geographical area in which the apparatus is located. The geographical area may be a prefecture, county, district, city, town, and the like.

[0047] The processor 28 is also configured to search and determine the current hole in the golf course based on the detected current position and the golf course information stored in the memory 30. For example, after the current golf course is determined, a starting hole may be automatically detected and displayed. The processor 28 may automatically determine the current hole when the current position calculated form the GPS/GNSS signals enters within a predetermined radius from the center of a teeing ground of a hole. The hole number, the per number of the current hole, and current time, may also be displayed automatically. In addition, the processor 28 may be configured to start searching through the stored golf course information for teeing grounds in a next hole when the current position enters within a predetermined distance, for example, 50 yards, from the center of the green in the current hole. [0048] The processor 28 calculates a distance from the current position to a selected target within the current hole. The target may automatically be selected by the processor 28 in accordance with the setting (default or user-specified) of the portable golf navigation apparatus 10, for example, a near edge of the green in the current hole, based on the current position and the golf course information stored in the memory 30. If the

hole has two or more greens, the golf player may select one of them and the selected green may be displayed with an additional indication, for example, "R" for the right green, "L" for the left, and the like. The selected target may be a nearest hazard, a strategic position of a dogleg, the center of the green, or the like. [0049] In addition, the user may manually select a desired target (user-specified target) using the user input device 18, for example, by entering the position information (latitude and longitude) of the target. For example, the player may set pin positions of the day, a far edge of a hazard, and the like, by operating the buttons/keys of the user input device 18. The processor 28 may automatically calculate a distance from the current position to the user-specified target and display the distance on the display 16.

[0050] The processor 28 also determines a current orientation of the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 based on the signals from the direction sensor 52 and the accelerometer 54. In general, in order to determine a precise orientation of the apparatus using a direction sensor such as a magnetic sensor or gyroscope, it is required that the apparatus be horizontal. However, it is difficult for golf players to hold the golf navigation apparatus to be horizontal with respect to the earth surface, especially when a golf course has angulations. Thus, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the orientation detected by the direction sensor 52 is compensated using the tilt of the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 detected by the accelerometer 54 so as to obtain a precise current orientation. The sensor module 50 allows to obtain a precise current orientation regardless of the tilt (non-horizontalness) of the portable golf navigation apparatus 10. Once the precise current orientation of the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 is determined, the processor 28 calculates the direction from the current position to the selected target. [0051] An indication of the selected target, the distance to the selected target, and the direction to the selected target are displayed on the display 16. For example, in FIG. I B, the selected target ("F" indicating a front edge of the green in the hole), the distance ("360 Y") to the selected target, and the direction to the selected target are displayed on the display 16. As shown in FIG. IB, the direction to the selected target may be graphically displayed on the display 16 using a directional shape, such as an arrow, pointing to the selected target. Other information, such as the hole number ("IH" indicating the first hole), the par number ("P4" indicating par 4), and the current time ("8:30") may also be displayed.

[0052] FIG. 4A schematically illustrates another example of the display 16 showing an arrow indicating the direction to a dogleg, an indication (icon) of the dog leg, and the distance from the current position to the dogleg, as well as the hole information and the current time. Similarly, FIG. 4B schematically illustrates the display 16 showing an arrow indicating the direction to the center of the green, an indication (icon) of the center (cross) of the green, and the distance from the current position to the center of the green, as well as the hole information and the current time. In the example of FIG. 4B, when the user (golf player) turns the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 (or himself/herself holding the portable golf navigation apparatus 10) in' a counter-clockwise direction, the arrow turns clockwise on the display 16 such that it keeps pointing to the selected target as shown in FIG. 4C. Similarly, when the user (golf player) turns the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 (or himself/herself holding the portable golf navigation apparatus 10) in a clockwise direction, the arrow turns counter-clockwise on the display 16 such that it keeps pointing to the selected target as shown in FIG. 4D. That is, the arrow indicating the direction to the selected target works as a compass pointing to the selected target.

[0053] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of targets may be displayed on the display 16, as shown in FIG. 4E. In this example, the hole information including the hole number (2H), the par number (PAR 4), and the shot number (1st), the direction and the remaining distance to the center of the left-side green, the direction and the remaining distance to the front edge of the left-side green, and the direction and the remaining distance to the dogleg are displayed. By operating the user input device, the display can be switched, for example, to a manual hole selection screen, or to display the information of the right-side hole. [0054] Since the information useful for playing golf, such as the indication of the selected target, the distance to the selected target, the direction to the selected target, as well as other hole information, are automatically calculated/determined and displayed on the display 16 in real time, the golf player is not required to input a user command each time to see the information. Thus, the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 facilitates smooth and efficient golfing without causing delay.

[0055] In addition, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the memory 30 further stores audio data for voice guidance messages. For example, the distance to the selected target may be output via the audio output device 24 as a voice

message announcing the distance, as well as displayed on the display 16. Since the player does not have to look at the portable golf navigation apparatus 10, it further facilitates smooth and efficient golfing.

[0056] The processor 28 may also be configured to record a shot position (i.e., the ball position) and, optionally, associated information in the memory 30 in response to a user commend. For example, the golfer may operate the user input device 18 (by pushing a button or key) to record the shot/ball position. The processor 28 records the current position at the time when the button/key is pressed, with the current time (time stamp) calculated from the received GPS/GNSS signals. The number of shots may also be counted and recorded together. FIG. 4F shows an example of the display screen to allow the golf player to register the ball/shot position at the second shot. By operating the user input device 18 and select a command, the user can cancel the position registration ("Cancel") or change the number of the shots ("Count"). For example, by pressing the key corresponding to the "Count" command, the number of the shots may be increased one by one. The selected information is recorded in the memory 30.

[0057] The processor 28 may continuously calculate and update the current position, and display a distance from the recorded shot position to the current position in real time. When the golf player arrives the next shot position (i.e., the position where the ball fall), the distance is a flying distance. By using the recorded shot positions, the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 may calculate and record the flying distance (range) of each shot. [0058] In addition, the golf player's voice messages may be recorded as audio data in the memory 30 using the voice input device 22. For example, the golf player may record a message indicating grain of grass or grass conditions, wind and weather conditions, the club used, lie angle, and the like. The processor 28 may record and associate such a voice message with the shot position information, time, hole information, and the like.

[0059] The information recorded in the memory 30, such as the shot positions and accompanying information (such as time, the number of shots, the hole/course identification, voice messages, etc.) may be transmitted to an external device (such as a personal computer, game consol, and the like) via the wireless transceiver 72 or the connector 20. The transmission may be automatically performed periodically, or continuously during the time when the golfer is playing the golf, or in response to the user's command. This allows the golfer to efficiently manage his/her scores and associated data. The processor 28 may also be configured to transmit in real time the

current position to an external device via the wireless transceiver 72 during the play. The external device may be placed on a golf cart so as to monitor the current positions of the golfers in the party. Current positions of all of the golf players in a hole may be monitored by a golf course management by receiving the information from the external device on each golf cart.

[0060] The golf course information stored in the memory 30 can be updated, for example, when a new golf course opens, an existing golf course has been remodeled, or otherwise the golf course information has been changed. The new information may be obtained by the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 via the wireless transceiver 72 and the connector 20 using a cable, and the processor 28 updates the contents of the memory 30.

[0061] The processor 28 also controls communications and data transmission in both directions via the wireless transceiver 72 and the connector 20. The processor 28 also performs read and right operations to the memory 30, directly or controlling the memory drive 36, for the data received through the wireless transceiver 72 and the connector 20, voice messages received via the voice input device 22, calculated data, determined information, user input information, and the like. The read/write operations may be automatically performed or in accordance with user commands received from the user input device 18, depending on the type of the data to read or write. [0062] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 may also include a pedometer module 80 so as to provide the golf player with a pedometer function. The pedometer module 80 may be integrated in the processor 28, as shown in FIG. 2. The pedometer module 80 detects and records a number of steps based on the detection signal from the accelerometer. The user information such as the weight and stride length may be set and stored in the memory 30, such that the pedometer module 80 calculates an amount of calories burned by the user based on the numbed of steps and the user information. The number of steps and the amount of calories may be displayed on the display 16 in response to a user command received via the user input device 18, or in a pedometer mode of the portable golf navigation apparatus 10, as shown in FIG. 5 A.

[0063] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 has several operational modes which are selectable, for example, from a menu screen displayed on the display 16 using the user input device 18. For

example, the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 has an automatic navigation mode (golf navigation mode) for assisting golf players, a manual navigation mode which allows the user to manually select the golf course, hole, targets, and the like, a setting mode, a data deletion mode, a data communication mode, a pedometer mode, a compass mode, and a maintenance mode. The portable golf navigation apparatus 10 may have other modes.

[0064] In the auto-navigation mode, the information helpful to the golfers is automatically displayed on the display 16 as described above. The portable golf navigation apparatus 10 may record up to 1000 shot/ball positions in the memory 30 with accompanying information by operating the user input device 18 at the position before or after each shot. The flying distance and the number of the shots may also be displayed. In the manual navigation mode, a list of geographic areas may be displayed for the user's manual selection, and then, a list of golf course names or an index for golf courses in the selected area may be displayed for the user's further selection. [0065] In the setting mode, the unit of distance (the metric system or yardage), automatic or manual hole detection, contrast of the display screen, language, and the like can be selected. In the data deletion mode, user input data, such as user-specified position data, a list of favorite courses, voice messages, and the like can be deleted. It should be noted that today's pin position data may be automatically deleted when the day changes, since the information will no longer be valid.

[0066] In the data communication mode, today's targets, position information, and the like, can be received from an external source and stored. Also, recorded data can be transmitted to an external device. [0067] In the pedometer mode, the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 displays the number of steps (for today) and the amount of calories burned by the number of the steps of the user, as described above.

[0068] In the maintenance mode, the display shows the state of the satellites, the number of the satellites being tracked, the strength of each signal, the version information, the current position (latitude and longitude), and the like, in response to the operation of the user input device 18.

[0069] In the compass mode, the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 displays a directional shape (such as an arrow or triangle) pointing to the north on the display 16, for example, as shown in FIG. 5B. The direction to the north is calculated from the current

orientation (with tilt compensation) and the current position of the portable golf navigation apparatus 10.

[0070] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for assisting a golfer using the portable golf navigation apparatus 10, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. After the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 is turned ON using the power switch 14, the GPS/GNSS receiver 40 starts receiving GPS/GNSS signals (102), and the processor 28 starts processing the GPS/GNSS signals so as to obtain the date, time, current position (latitude and longitude), altitude, moving direction, velocity, and the like. The current position of the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 is calculated (104) from the received GPS/GNSS signals. Once the current position (latitude and longitude) is determined, the processor automatically searches the golf course information stored in the memory 30 so as to find a matching golf course having latitude and longitude ranges within which the current position is located (106). The latitude and longitude ranges may be specified by the maximum and minimum coordinate values. The name of the matching golf course may be displayed on the display 16.

[0071] If there is no matching golf course having the latitude-longitude range encompassing the current position, or the automatic search is interrupted, the name of a predetermined geographical area (a block area, region, prefecture, state, county, city, district, or the like) including the current position is obtained from the data stored in the memory 30 and displayed.

[0072] When the user holding the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 enters the course (in-course or out-course), the current course is automatically detected searching the information stored in the memory 30 and displayed. A search for teeing ground information (the range of latitude and longitude thereof) in the stored golf course information is started. The teeing ground information may be a position (latitude and longitude) and a predetermined radius, referred to as a teeing circle. A current teeing ground is determined when the current position of the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 enters within a range of a teeing circle. The current hole is then automatically determined (108) when the current position calculated form the GPS/GNSS signals enters within a teeing circle, i.e., a predetermined radius from the center of the teeing ground. The distance from the current position to a selected target within the hole is calculated (1 10). The selected target may be the front edge (or the center) of the green or the dogleg

depending on the hole and the setting. In a long course, for example, distances to a plurality of selected targets may be calculated.

[0073] The orientation of the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 is detected using the direction sensor 52. The tilt of the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 is also detected using the accelerometer 54. The detected orientation of the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 is compensated by the detected tilt to determine the precise current orientation (112). The direction to the selected target is determined (1 14) based on the precise current orientation of the portable golf navigation apparatus 10. The distance and direction to another target, a nearest hazard, and/or a dogleg, if any, may also be calculated.

[0074] The current hole, an indication (an icon and/or letters) of the selected target, the distance to the selected target, and the direction to the selected target are displayed on the display 16 (1 16). The direction to each selected target is graphically displayed on the display section using a directional shape (such as an arrow) pointing to the selected target. The distance and direction to the selected target may be automatically calculated and displayed in real time, without receiving a user command. In addition, the distance and the direction to another target, a hazard, and/or a dogleg may also be automatically calculated and displayed (1 18) in real time without receiving a user command, or in response to a user command or selection. [0075] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the target may be automatically switched based on the current position of the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 and the golf course information. For example, for a long hole having a dogleg and/or hazards, the position information thereof is stored in the memory as intermediate gargets. Each intermediate target may have its priority. For example, when the golfer is in the teeing ground, an indication and the distance to an intermediate target of the first priority (such as a strategic position of a dogleg, or the nearest hazard) may be automatically displayed, as shown in FIG. 4A. Then, when the current position comes within a predetermined position comparable to the intermediate target, the intermediate target may be automatically switched to the next or final target, for example, the center of the green, as shown in FIG. 4B. The predetermined position comparable to the intermediate target may be specified by a predetermined distance from the center of the green. Such an automatic selection/switching of the current target may be overridden by the user's manual operation. In accordance with another embodiment of the present

invention, however, the display 16 may show the hole information including a plurality of targets and the corresponding directions and distances, for example, as shown in FIG. 4E. The number of the targets to be displayed may depend on the size of the display 16. [0076] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the memory 30 contains audio data for voice guidance messages, and a voice signal announcing the distance to the selected target and/or a distance to a hazard may be output (120) to guide the golf player. If the target is automatically or manually changed, the voice announcement is also changed accordingly. Since the golf player does not have to take a look at the portable golf navigation apparatus 10, the smooth and speedy golfing is facilitated. In addition, guidance for operating the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 may also be announced, for example, to encourage the golf player to record the shot position by pressing a button.

[0077] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram for recoding shot/ball position data in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. A user command (pushing a button, for example) is received (130) via the user input device 18, and a shot position (i.e., the current position) is recorded in the memory (132) in response to the user commend. Associated information may also be recorded together. The associated information may be the hole information, the date and time, the number of the shots, and the like. The number of shots may include penalty shots. In addition, a distance from the recorded shot position to the current position may be displayed as a flying distance in real time (134). [0078] Furthermore, the associated information may in the form of audio data, where the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 includes the voice input device 22. As shown in FIG. 8, a user voice message is received (140) via the voice input device, and the corresponding audio data is recorded on the memory (142). Utilizing this voice recording function, the golf player is able to record information such as the weather, grass condition, rough, wind direction, posture of the player, lie angle, and the like, without typing or cumbersome scrolling of the display screen using the user input device 18. Such audio data is recorded in association with the shot position or the current position. The voice recording function may also be activated without being associated with a particular shot position by operating the user input device 18. The shot/ball position data and the audio data may be stored in the storage medium 38 in the memory 30 using the memory drive 36.

[0079] When user finishes one hole and enters in the vicinity of the teeing ground of the next hole, the next (now current) hole is automatically detected in a similar manner, and the hole information is automatically displayed on the display. For example, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, in the auto-navigation mode, the processor 28 starts searching positions of the teeing grounds (teeing circles) in the next hole when the distance from the current position to the center of the green of the current hole is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, for example, 50 yards. A teeing circle may be specified by the position (latitude-longitude coordinates) of the center and the length of the radius. If the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 enters one of the teeing circles of the next hole under this teeing ground-searching mode, the processor 28 automatically identifies the next hole and displays the hole information on the display 16. Since the processor 28 starts searching the teeing circles well before the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 (i.e., the golf player) arrives the next hole, the automatic detection and display of the next hole information is realized without delay. If the hole which the golf player just finished is the last hole of the course (for example, the 9 ^th hole), the first hole in the same course may be searched out from the memory 30 and displayed.

[0080] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the current position may be transmitted periodically or continuously in real time to the external device via one of the wireless transceiver or the connector section while the power is on. For example, the external device may be a portable personal computer, personal data assistant (PDA), video game console, cellular telephone, or the like, that is able to display a hole layout, such that the current position of each member of the golfing party may be displayed and monitored. The external device may be another portable golf navigation apparatus. In addition, the data (selected information such as shot positions, score, and associated information) stored in the memory 30 may also be transmitted to an external device via the wireless transceiver or the connector.

[0081] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 9, the golf course information is updated by receiving new golf course information via one of the wireless transceiver or the connector section (150), and updating the golf course information stored in the memory 30 (152). In addition, today's target positions, such as the pin positions of the day provided by the golf course management, or user- selected positions can be received (154) via the wireless transceiver or the connector

section input, and stored in the memory 30 (156) to be used during golf navigation. Such information may be stored in the external memory 34 of the memory 30. [0082] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating operations of the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 in the pedometer mode which may be selected from a menu screen. First, user information such as the weight and the stride length is received and stored in the memory 30 (160). The tilt and acceleration of the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 are detected by the accelerometer 54 (162), and the number of steps is calculated based on detection signals from the accelerometer and recorded (164). The amount of calories burned by the user is calculated based on the number of steps and user information stored in the memory and recorded (166). The number of the steps and the burned calories are updated in accordance with the detection signal from the accelerometer 54. The number of steps and the amount of calories are displayed on the display 16 in response to a user command received via the user input device (168). An example of the display 16 in the pedometer mode is illustrated in FIG. 5 A. The compass mode may be selected from the pedometer mode, or directly from the menu screen. An example of the display in the compass mode is illustrated in FIG. 5B. The sensor module 50 including the direction sensor 52 and the accelerometer 54 enables to the portable golf navigation apparatus 10 to provide the pedometer function and the compass function. [0083] While this invention has been described in terms of several preferred embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, modifications, and various substitute equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and apparatuses of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and various substitute equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.