SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ELECTRONIC ADVERTISING ON GOLFING SURFACES

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to United States Provisional Application No. 60/753,747 filed December 23, 2005, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to advertising on golfing surfaces and, more particularly, to electronically displaying advertising on golf mats. Description of Related Art

[0003] Golf practice mats are used in driving ranges, golf courses, country clubs and anywhere golfers may practice. Such mats are typically made from a hard, weather resistant plastic material and may have a portion of artificial grass. Because many individuals use these mats throughout the course of time, the golf mats offer a suitable medium in which to insert or place advertising or even messages. WO 2005/000420, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, discloses a golf mat having a removable advertising area defined therein. It is desirable to enhance the advertising capabilities of this existing mat and other golfing related surfaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to associate electronic advertising with a golf mat and other golfing related surfaces. The golf mat of the present invention includes a first layer having a top surface and a bottom surface; a second layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the first layer is attached to the second layer; a recess extending into at least the top surface of the first layer; and an advertising element having advertising displayed thereon, wherein the advertising element is situated within the recess. Desirably, the first layer is constructed of a synthetic turf material and the second layer is constructed of a plastic and rubber material. The advertising element is an electronic device having a display for displaying an electronic advertisement. The electronic advertisement may include, but is not limited to, text, a static image, and/or a video. The electronic device may also include a receiver for wirelessly receiving the electronic advertisement.

[0005] A method for displaying an electronic advertisement in association with the golf mat includes providing a golf mat including an electronic device having an electronic display associated therewith; and displaying the electronic advertisement on the electronic display. The electronic advertisement may include, but is not limited to, a textual advertisement, an electronic static image advertisement, and an electronic video advertisement. Furthermore, advertising content may be transmitted from a communications device to the electronic device. The advertising content may include one or more electronic advertisements. Programming instructions or data may be transmitted to the electronic device. The programming instructions may be operative on the display settings of the electronic advertisements. Additionally, statistical data may be received from the electronic device. The statistical data includes information relating to the display of the electronic advertisements. The electronic advertisement may be transmitted to the electronic device via a distributed communications network from a service provider remotely and communicatively connected to the electronic device.

[0006] These and other advantages of the present invention will be understood from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a front perspective exploded view of an advertising element embodied as an electronic device in a golf mat;

[0008] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a golf mat advertising system in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a golf mat advertising system in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; and

[0010] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a golf mat advertising system in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The preferred embodiments below include explanations and examples and are not to be construed as being limiting but merely as illustrative so as to teach the invention. Other than where indicated, all numbers or expressions referring to quantities used in the specification and claims are to be understood as modified in all instances by the term "about." Various numerical ranges are disclosed in this patent application. Because these ranges are

continuous, they include every value between the minimum and maximum values. Unless expressly indicated otherwise, the various numerical ranges specified in this application are approximations.

[0012] A golf mat 10, according to the present invention, is illustrated in FIG. 1. The golf mat 10 may serve as a teeing or putting area as well as an area in which a golfer may stand. Desirably, the golf mat 10 is constructed of a first layer 14 and a second layer 16. The first layer 14 is constructed of a synthetic grass or turf material such as nylon, plastic, polyethylene, etc. The second layer 16 is constructed of a hard, weather-resistant material, such as plastic or foam rubber material. It is to be understood that the aforementioned construction materials are not to be construed as limiting the invention, hi relation to the ground on which the golf mat 10 is situated, the first layer 14 is the top layer and the second layer 16 is the bottom layer. A standard size for the golf mat 10 is usually 5' by 5' square and 1.25" thick, although it is to be understood that the size of the golf mat 10 may vary based upon application of the golf mat 10 and/or the requirements of the golfer. [0013] The golf mat 10 further includes a recess 18 that is sized to accommodate an advertising element therein. Specifically, the recess 18 may extend into either the first layer 14 or both the first layer 14 and the second layer 16 of the golf mat 10. Thus, the advertising element may be situated within either the first layer 14 or both the first layer 14 and the second layer 16. Although the recess 18 may be sized larger depth- wise than the advertising element, it is desirable for the recess 18 to substantially conform to the lateral shape of the advertising element and/or vice versa.

[0014] With reference to FIG. 1 and in accordance with a desirable embodiment of the present invention, the advertising element may be an electronic device 80 associated with the golf mat 10. For example, the electronic device 80 may include a display unit 82 configured to display one or more advertisements 84 such as a message, a logo, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, in contrast to a non-electronic advertising element, the display unit 82 may also be configured to display video-based advertising content. The electronic device 80 may be embedded, attached, or integrated into the golf mat 10. It is to be understood that the advertisement 84 may contain any type of content desired to be conveyed to a user of the golf mat 10. Due to the specific environment (e.g., golfing area) in which the golf mat 10 is situated, the advertising appearing on the display unit 82 may be targeted for a corresponding demographic or specific audience.

[0015] In accordance with a desirable embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device 80 is sized to be received in the recess 18 of the golf mat 10. The electronic device 80

may assume any suitable shape, as is discussed in connection with the preferred embodiment, above. It is to be understood that the electronic device 80 may be designed to fit within recesses having various depths. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the electronic device 80 may be secured within the recess 18 via any suitable fasteners, adhesives, or other techniques, including, but not limited to, bonding agents, nails, screws, brackets, rivets, or stamping. Desirably, the electronic device 80 is a unitary structure having the necessary electronic components integrated therein. For example, in addition to housing the display unit 82, the electronic device 80 may include a processor 86, a storage medium 87, and a transceiver 88. It is to be understood that other components may be associated with the electronic device 80 and that any of the aforementioned and/or additional components may be communicatively connected to each other. • ^• '

[0016] In the desirable embodiment, the display unit 82 is a liquid crystal display (LCD) based display. However, it is to be understood that the LCD display discussed herein is only an exemplary embodiment of a display type for use with the advertising element. Other suitable, but non-limiting displays include plasma, organic light emitting diode, and light emitting diode. It is to be understood that the display unit 82 may embody any suitable shape. Desirably, the display unit 82 is adapted to display text, a static image, and/or video in monochromatic and/or full color spectrum palettes. Accordingly, realistic images and videos may be shown by the display unit 82. It is to be understood that an animated image may be characterized as a video. As is known in the art, a traditional LCD monitor may include a thin plastic film covering that may provide adequate scratch and impact resistance against damage to the crystal arrangement in a home or office setting. However, as the present invention is to be utilized in conditions in which the display unit 82 is subjected to repeated impact via contact from a golf club or spiked golf shoes, it is envisioned that the display unit 82 may include a protective enclosure, such as a polycarbonate covering, that is resistant to scratches and impacts. Additionally, such a protective enclosure would inhibit moisture and dirt intrusion into the display unit 82. It is to be understood that the entire electronic device 80 may also be protected by such a protective enclosure or suitable equivalent. [0017] As previously discussed, according to the desirable embodiment, the electronic device 80 includes the processor 86, the storage medium 87, and the transceiver 88. The electronic device 80 also includes software operative on the apparatus electronic device 80 and components thereof. The software may reside as firmware on the processor 86 or in other suitable hardware, such as the storage medium 87, associated with the electronic device 80. Exemplary storage mediums include, but are not limited to, volatile/non-volatile RAM,

flash memory, a hard disk drive, an optical drive, or other suitable storage mediums. The storage medium 87 is configured to store advertising content thereon. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the advertisement 84 shown on the display unit 82 depicts advertising for Titleist ^® golfing equipment. To effect the display of the advertisement 84 on the display unit 82, a corresponding data file, such as an image file, may be stored on the storage medium 87. The electronic device 80 is configured to support various image formats including, but not limited to, JPEG and GIF. In an exemplary embodiment, the processor 86 is configured to instruct the storage medium 87 to read the corresponding image file stored thereon and transmit the data along a data bus to a display driver configured to interpret the image file into a visual representation for display on the display unit 82. Accordingly, the advertisement 84 is displayed on the display unit 82 to be viewed by a user of the golf mat 10. The electronic device 80 is configured to support various video formats including, but not limited to, AVI, MPEG, QuickTime ^® , and Shockwave ^® . Access and display of advertisements embodied in a video format may be similar to that of advertisements embodied in an image format. [0018] In an alternative embodiment, the processor 86 and or the transceiver 88 may be situated in a different portion of the mat 10, such that these components are remote from the display unit 82. For example, the processor 86 and the transceiver 88 may be sandwiched between the first layer 14 and the second layer 16. Thus, in contrast to the desirable embodiment, the display unit 82 may be embedded in the recess 18 as an individual component of the present invention. Appropriate communicative links may then be routed through the mat 10 to connect the remote processor 86, the storage medium 87, and transceiver 88 to the display unit 82.

[0019] The electronic device 80 is configured to display a variety of advertisements in a random, predetermined, or combination thereof order and timing. Desirably, the presentation of the advertisements is programmed to not distract the user during his or her swing. Accordingly, in a desirable embodiment, the currently displayed advertisement is only changed after the user swings, so as not to distract him or her during the swing. To this end, the golf mat 10 is configured to detect a swing performed by the user via a pressure sensor, motion sensor, or suitable equivalent integrated into the golf mat 10. Desirably, the pressure sensor is in communicative connectivity with the electronic device 80. For example, once a club makes contact with the surface of the golf mat 10 during a swing, the pressure sensor is triggered, whereby the electronic device 80 changes the currently displayed advertisement 84. It is to be understood that other sensors maybe utilized in connection with the golf mat 10 to act upon receipt of external stimuli and cause the electronic device 80 to respond accordingly.

For example, rubber tees used in connection with golf mats may be adapted to detect swings. Furthermore, pressure sensors may be embedded in the surface of the golf mat 10 that can differentiate between the presence or absence of a golf ball and/or a user. For example, if a predetermined amount of time has lapsed in which such pressure sensors do not sense the weight that would indicate the presence of a user, the electronic device 80 may make the assumption that the previous user of the golf mat 10 has left. Thus, the same advertising presentation presented to the previous user may then be shown to the next detected user with the assumption that the next user will not be the previous user. The aforementioned use of sensing the presence and absence of users and swings are but examples of the ability to utilize sensors in connection with displaying, changing, and rotating advertisements. The electronic device 80 may also be configured to maintain statistical data regarding the types of advertisements and duration thereof that have been displayed. Such data may be useful for advertising purposes, such as establishing future advertising rates.

[0020] As is known in the art, golf mats are usually rotated a V _* turn on a predetermined schedule (e.g., every week) to avoid uneven wear of the golfing surface. Thus, it is desirable to display the advertisement 84 in a proper and readable orientation regardless of the rotation imparted on the golfing surface. To this end, the golf mat 10 may employ a variety of techniques for ensuring this desired objective. In one embodiment, the electronic device 80 may rotate within the recess 18. Ih another embodiment, the display unit 82 may rotate independently within the electronic device 80. In yet another embodiment, software may be utilized to rotate the advertisement 84 in the proper orientation prior to display thereof on the display unit 82. With respect to the software implementation, a magnet or suitable equivalent detection technology may be utilized to allow the electronic device 80 to become aware of any golf mat rotation and automatically adjust the display of the advertisement 84 in response thereto.

[0021J Although the electronic device 80 is discussed herein with respect to wireless communications, it is to be understood that known wired networking technologies may be implemented. Desirably, the electronic device 80 is configured for wireless bidirectional communication with an external communications device. However, it is to be understood that the electronic device 80 may be configured for wireless unidirectional communication, such that the electronic device 80 is capable of only receiving data from the external communications device. As is known in the art, the transceiver 88 includes an antenna (not shown), which may be internal or external to the electronic device 80. The transceiver 88 and software operative thereon may be configured for any suitable wireless technology and

protocol thereof. Desirably, the electronic device 80 utilizes radio communications conforming to predefined networking protocols (e.g., 102.1 lb/g). Use of such ubiquitous communications protocols provides for increased compatibility and ease of establishing a network infrastructure having multiple golf mats 10. Other exemplary wireless technologies may include, but are not limited to, infrared, optical, and microwave.

[0022] The electronic device 80 may be configured to receive advertising content and related programming from various sources. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a golf mat advertising system 90 in accordance with a first embodiment may include a communications device 90, such as a handheld personal digital assistant (e.g., Palm Pilot ^® , Treo ^® , etc.), which may be configured to communicate with the electronic device.80 of the golf mat 10. It is to be understood that the communications device 90 may be any suitable computing device configured to establish a communications link between itself and the electronic device 80 and then transfer advertising content to the electronic device 80. The communications device 92 may include predefined advertising content and programming instructions. The programming instructions may relate to advertisement display settings including, but not limited to, the duration the advertisement is displayed and the frequency the advertisement is displayed. It is to be understood that the advertising content and the programming instructions may be created on and transferred from another computing device to the communications device 92. Alternatively, the advertising content and/or the programming instructions may be created on the communications device 92. By issuing an appropriate interrogation command, the communications device 92 may establish a communications channel with the electronic device 80. Thereafter, the advertising content and programming instructions are transferred to the electronic device 80 to be operative thereon. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of golf mats 10 are positioned next to each other in a traditional driving range layout. An individual 94 may be charged with the task of transferring the advertising content and the programming instructions to the electronic devices 80 of one or more of the golf mats 10. Accordingly, the individual 94 may walk near each of the golf mats 10 and advertising content and programming instructions may be automatically or selectively transferred to each of the respective electronic devices 80. It is to be understood that each of the electronic devices 80 may be addressed individually, as a group, or as a subset of the group.

[00231 FIG. 3 illustrates a golf mat advertising system 100 in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. The golf mats 10 may be arranged in a traditional driving range layout. A pro shop 102 or other suitable structure, situated near the driving

range, may house a computing device 104. Similar to the communications device 92, the computing device 104 is configured to transmit advertising content and programming instructions to each of the electronic devices 80 of one or more of the golf mats 10. The computing device 104 may be configured to modify the advertising content arid programming instructions. Of course, it is to be understood that the transmission and reception properties of the computing device 104 and the electronic device 80 may be different from that of the communications device 92 and the electronic device 80 of the golf mat advertising system 90 due to the increased distance between the computing device 104 and the golf mats 80. However, use of the golf mat advertising system 100 eliminates the need to have the individual 94 interface with each golf mat 10 and perform advertising content and programming instruction updates thereon.

[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates a golf mat advertising system 110 in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. The golf mat advertising system 110 builds upon the golf mat advertising system 100 by incorporating a service provider 112 communicatively connected to the computing device 104 via a distributed communications network 114, such as the Internet. Desirably, the service provider 112 includes appropriate hardware and software configured to create, modify, and store advertising content and programming instructions in a database 116. Furthermore, the service provider 112 includes a server 118 configured to transmit the advertising content and programming instructions via the communications network 114 to the computing device 104. Thereafter, the computing device 104 transfers the advertising content and programming instructions to each of the electronic devices 80 of one or more of the golf mats 10. As shown in FIG. 4, one or more of the electronic devices 80 may be configured to transmit the aforementioned statistical data to the computing device 104, which in turn transmits the statistical data via the communications network 114 to the service provider 112. The statistical data may also be stored in the database 16 and may be used to modify existing advertising content and programming instructions or create new advertising content and programming instructions. It is to be understood that an advertiser may access the advertising content, programming instructions, and statistical data on the database 16.

[0025] The service provider 112 may maintain a dynamic communicative link with each of the electronic devices 80. The advertisements 84 may, therefore, be transmitted in real-time from the service provider 112 to the electronic device 80. Accordingly, the advertisements 84 need not necessarily reside permanently or temporarily reside within the storage medium

service provider 112, the electronic device 80 may display non-advertisement related information including, but not limited to, real-time news, sports scores, and weather forecasts received from the service provider 112.

[0026] In a fourth embodiment (not shown) of the present invention, it is envisioned that the service provider 112 may be communicatively connected to a satellite communications network. Thus, the transmission and reception of advertising content, programming instructions, and statistical data may be effected by satellite communications directly to and from the electronic device 80 of each of the golf mats 10. Consequently, the need for the computing device 104 and any communicative links associated therewith may be eliminated. [0027] The electronic device 80 may also be utilized in connection with other golfing related structures. For example, the electronic device 80 may be embedded in a natural grass surface. Furthermore, an area adjacent to a golf mat, such as a concrete surface, may be adapted to receive the electronic device 80 therein. Thus, it is to be understood that the electronic device 80 is not limited to application involving direct integration with a golf mat. For example, a driving range may include a plurality of the golf mats 10 or any prior art golf mat. Typically, each golf mat and corresponding teeing area is separated from another adjacent golf mat and teeing area by a tee divider. It is envisioned that the electronic device 80 may be attached or integrated into such tee dividers. It is also envisioned that the electronic device 80 may be attached or integrated into yardage markers at a teeing range. It is to be understood that slight modifications (e.g., sizing, power requirements, etc.) may be necessary to apply the electronic device 80 to other applications. As can be seen, the aforementioned advertising elements allow advertising to be placed in every imaginable golfing related location and environment.

[0028] The present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obvious modifications, combinations, and alterations will occur to others upon reading the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications, combinations, and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.