WO2005050521A1

WO2005050521A1 - Handheld terminal, system and method for managing golf score

Info

Publication number: WO2005050521A1
Application number: PCT/KR2003/002557
Authority: WO
Inventors: Seok-Hoon Yang
Original assignee: Ezsync Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2003-11-18
Filing date: 2003-11-25
Publication date: 2005-06-02
Also published as: KR20040010427A; KR100591282B1; AU2003284762A1

Abstract

A system for managing golf scores is disclosed, which includesa handheld terminal detachably combined with a portable memory for requesting and receiving current coordinate of the handheld terminal to/from GPS satellite when shot information including kind and number of a golf club is input, and storing terminal identification information and time information in the portable memory together with the shot and coordinate information; a management server for receiving the shot, coordinate and time information through network, calculating and storing golf score for each user, extracting map image for a hole corresponding to the coordinate information, and marking ball location on the map image according to the coordinate; a first client terminal detachably combined with the portable memory and automatically connected to the management server when combined with the portable memory, and then transmitting the shot, coordinate, identification and time information from the portable memory to the management server.

Description

HANDHELD TERMINAL, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING GOLF

SCORE

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a handheld terminal for managing golf scores

and a system for managing golf scores using the handheld terminal, and more

particularly to a handheld terminal capable of inputting and storing shot information and

ball position information of a user in a golf course in real time, and a system for

managing golf scores by receiving the shot information and ball position information

from the handheld terminal and then storing and managing game information of the user.

In addition, the present invention also relates to a method for managing golf scores in

real time using such a system.

BACKGROUND ART Golf, recently gaining in public favor, is a sports for making scores with a hitting number required for putting a ball into a hole cup prepared in a green of each hole while a user plays a round with 18 holes. Generally in the golf game, scores are manually

managed in such a traditional way that the user canies a scoreboard with making round

of holes and directly records a score on the scoreboard. In particular, since a ball position is not accurately checked, it is not easy to analyze and manage golf scores

thoroughly after the game. There have been proposed techniques for managing golf scores more accurately

in connection with information communication technologies. Korean Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2002-86007 discloses a system for managing golf scores in which a user

directly inputs a ball position on a green image displayed on a handheld terminal with

the use of a touch pen and then the input information is transmitted to a management

server that manages the golf scores. However in this system, the user should select a

hole and then inputs a ball position with eye's measurement, so the input ball position is

not accurate. In addition, the user should check and input weather information such as

direction and velocity of the wind and temperature as occasion calls. That is to say,

since the information of the golf game is determined and input on the basis of subjective

determination of the player, so the golf score is not objective. In addition, Korean Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2001-92142 discloses a

device for measuring a distance, which grasps a cunent position of a golfer with GPS,

and then calculates a distance and a direction to a conesponding hole cup with the use

of an azimuth angle of a tenestrial magnetism sensor together with a map data. However, this technique just measures and provides a residual distance from the user to

the hole cup, and it cannot solve the conventional inconvenience that a golfer should

carry a scoreboard and manages golf scores one by one. Furthermore, since all map

images of the golf course should be stored in the terminal, the terminal should have a memory with a large capacity or be limitedly used in a specific golf course. In addition,

since this technique just checks a position of a golfer, it does not include the concept of managing golf scores with exchanging data with a separate server or giving a service

through the web.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION The present invention is designed to solve the problems of the prior art, and

therefore it is an object of the invention to provide a handheld terminal for managing

golf scores, which calculates an accurate position of a golf ball with GPS and then

transmits the accurate position together with shot information of a golfer. Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for managing golf

scores, which may receive the ball position information and the shot information stored

in the handheld terminal through a communication network, manage the ball position

information and the shot information, extract a map image of a golf course, mark

trajectory and position of the ball accurately on the map image, and then provide the map image.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system for managing

golf scores, which calculates and and provides golf scores with the use of the ball

position information and the shot information transmitted through the handheld terminal. Further another object of the present invention is to provide a method for

managing golf scores, which is capable of managing the progress of a golf game and the

golf scores as a golfer simply inputs and stores information about his/her own ball in the handheld terminal.

In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a

handheld terminal for managing golf scores, which includes an input unit provided with buttons for input of shot information composed of kinds of golf clubs and numbers; a

storage unit that stores ID information peculiar to the handheld terminal; a clock for generating time information; a display unit for displaying an input guidance and details input through the input unit; a GPS coordinates receiving unit for requesting and

receiving current coordinates information of the handheld terminal to/from a GPS when

the shot information is received through the input unit; a reading/writing means for

reading or writing data from/to a portable memory that is detachably combined thereto;

and a control unit for controlling each of the above units, wherein the ID information,

the shot information, the time information and the coordinates information are recorded

and stored in the portable memory by means of the reading/writing means. Preferably, the buttons of the input unit includes club selection buttons and

number buttons. In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for managing golf

scores, which includes a handheld terminal for requesting and receiving cunent

coordinates information of the handheld terminal to/from a GPS when shot information

composed of kinds of golf clubs and numbers is input, and then storing ID information

peculiar to the handheld terminal and time information together with the shot

information and the coordinates information to a portable memory that is detachably combined to the handheld terminal; a management server for receiving the shot information, the coordinates information, the ID information and the time information

through a communication network, calculating a golf score, storing the golf score for

each user, extracting a map image for a hole conesponding to the coordinates

information, marking a ball position on the map image according to the coordinates information, and then providing the map image; and a first client terminal to which the portable memory is detachable, wherein, when being connected to the portable memory,

the first client terminal is automatically connected to the management server through the communication network by means of an access program stored in the portable memory

to transmit the shot information, the coordinates information, the ID information and the

time information stored in the portable memory to the management server.

Preferably, the handheld terminal includes an input unit provided with buttons

for input of the shot information; a storage unit for storing the ID information of the

handheld terminal; a clock for generating the time information; a display unit for

displaying an input guidance and details input through the input unit; a GPS coordinates

receiving unit for requesting and receiving the cunent coordinates information of the

handheld terminal to/from the GPS when the shot information is received through the

input unit; a reading/writing means for reading or writing data from/to the portable

memory that is detachably combined thereto; and a control unit for controlling each of

the above units, wherein the ID information, the shot information, the time information

and the coordinates information are recorded and stored in the portable memory by

means of the reading/writing means. Preferably, the management server includes a web management unit for

providing and managing golf score information on a hypermedia web page to a second

client terminal accessed through the communication network; a map generation unit for

extracting a map image of the conesponding hole from a database according to the coordinates information, and marking a ball position conesponding to the coordinates information on the extracted map image; a score management unit for calculating a golf score according to the shot information and the coordinates information; and a control unit for controlling each of the above units.

More preferably, the management server is in linkage with a database, and the database includes a member information DB storing data about personal details of a

user; a map information DB storing data about map images for holes in a golf course

and coordinates ranges thereof; and a score information DB storing the shot information,

the coordinates information and golf score data for each user. In still another aspect of the invention, there is also provided a method for

managing golf scores, which uses a system including a handheld terminal possessed by a user in a golf course, a first client terminal, and a management server connected to the

first client terminal through a communication network, wherein the method includes (a)

combining a portable memory to the handheld terminal; (b) inputting shot information

composed of kinds of golf clubs and numbers to the handheld terminal; (c) requesting

and receiving coordinates information about a cunent position of the handheld terminal

to/from a GPS; (d) storing ID information peculiar to the handheld terminal, the shot

information, the coordinates information and time information to the portable memory;

(e) combining the portable memory to the first client terminal; (f) transmitting the ID information, the shot information, the coordinates information and the time information stored in the portable memory from the first client terminal to the management server

through the communication network; (g) the management server calculating a golf score

according to the shot information and the coordinates information, and then storing the

golf score for each user conesponding to the ID information; and (h) the management

server extracting a map image of a hole conesponding to the coordinates information,

marking a ball position on the extracted map image according to the coordinates information, and then providing the map image through the communication network. Preferably, the step (d) includes the steps of determining whether an access program for access to the management server is stored in the portable memory, and

downloading the access program from the handheld terminal and storing the access

program in the portable memory in the case that it is determined that the access program

is not stored in the portable memory in the above step. Preferably, the step (f) includes the step of downloading an access program from

the portable memory to the first client terminal and then executing the access program.

More preferably, the step (h) includes the steps of logging in to the management

server through a second client terminal; the second client terminal requesting a golf

score to the management server; the management server extracting a map image of a

corresponding hole according to the coordinates information and marking a ball position

on the map image; and providing the map image on which the ball position is marked

from the management server to the second client terminal.

In still another aspect of the invention, there is also provided a system for

managing golf scores, which includes a handheld terminal for requesting and receiving

current coordinates information of the handheld terminal to/from a GPS when shot information composed of kinds of golf clubs and numbers is input, and then storing time

information together with the shot information and the coordinates information in an internal memory therein; a management server for receiving the shot information, the

coordinates information, the time information and ID information peculiar to the

handheld terminal through a communication network, calculating a golf score on the basis of the received information, storing the golf score for each user, extracting a map

image for a hole conesponding to the coordinates information, marking a ball position on the map image according to the coordinates information, and then providing the map image; and a first client terminal automatically connected to the management server

through the communication network by means of an access program stored in the

internal memory when being connected to a data transmission port of the handheld

terminal, to transmit the shot information, the coordinates information, the ID

information and the time information stored in the internal memory to the management

server. In further another aspect of the invention, there is also provided a method for

managing golf scores, which uses a system including a handheld terminal possessed by a

user in a golf course, a first client terminal, and a management server connected to the

first client terminal through a communication network, wherein the method includes the

steps of: (a) inputting shot information composed of kinds of golf clubs and numbers to

the handheld terminal; (b) requesting and receiving coordinates information about a

cunent position of the handheld terminal to/from a GPS; (c) storing the shot information,

the coordinates information and time information to an internal memory of the handheld

terminal; (d) combining the handheld terminal to the first client terminal; (e) transmitting ID information, the shot information, the coordinates information and the time information stored in the internal memory of the handheld terminal from the first

client terminal to the management server via the communication network; (f) the

management server calculating a golf score according to the shot information and the

coordinates information, and then storing the golf score for each user conesponding to

the ID information; and (g) the management server extracting a map image of a hole conesponding to the coordinates information, marking a ball position on the extracted

map image according to the coordinates information, and then providing the map image through the communication network.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, there is also provided a

system for managing golf scores, which includes a remote controller for transmitting

shot information by means of a bluetooth communication method when the shot

information composed of kinds of golf clubs and numbers is input; a handheld terminal

for requesting and receiving current coordinates information of the handheld terminal

to/from a GPS when the shot information is input from the remote controller, and then

storing ID information peculiar to the handheld terminal and time information together

with the shot information and the coordinates information to a portable memory that is

detachably combined to the handheld terminal; a management server for receiving the

shot information, the coordinates information and the time information through a

communication network, calculating a golf score on the basis of the received

information, storing the golf score for each user, extracting a map image for a hole

conesponding to the coordinates information, marking a ball position on the map image according to the coordinates information, and then providing the map image; and a first

client terminal to which the portable memory is detachable, wherein, when being

connected to the portable memory, the first client terminal is automatically connected to the management server through the communication network by means of an access program stored in the portable memory to transmit the shot information, the coordinates

information, the ID information and the time information stored in the portable memory

to the management server. Preferably, the remote controller includes a voice recognition unit used for inputting the shot information by voice. In further another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a

method for managing golf scores, which uses a system including a remote controller

possessed by a user in a golf course, a handheld terminal for receiving data from the

remote controller, a first client terminal, and a management server connected to the first

client terminal through a communication network, wherein the method includes the

steps of: (a) combining a portable memory to the handheld terminal; (b) inputting shot

information composed of kinds of golf clubs and numbers to the remote controller; (c)

transmitting the shot information from the remote controller to the handheld terminal;

(d) the handheld terminal requesting and receiving coordinates information about a

cunent position of the handheld terminal to/from a GPS, after receiving the shot

information; (e) storing ID information peculiar to the handheld terminal, the shot

(f) combining the portable memory to the first client terminal; (g) transmitting the ID

infonnation, the shot information, the coordinates information and the time information

stored in the portable memory from the first client terminal to the management server

through the communication network; (h) the management server calculating a golf score according to the shot information and the coordinates information, and then storing the

golf score for each user conesponding to the ID infonnation; and (i) the management

marking a ball position on the extracted map image according to the coordinates information, and then providing the map image through the communication network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other features, aspects, and advantages of preferred embodiments of

the present invention will be more fully described in the following detailed description,

taken accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a golf score management system

including a golf score management handheld terminal according to a preferred

embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the golf score management

handheld terminal according to a prefened embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front view schematically showing appearance of the golf score

management handheld terminal according to a prefened embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing a golf score management server

according to a prefened embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a client terminal of the golf score management system according to a prefened embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the process of building map image information

in the golf score management system according to a prefened embodiment of the

present invention; FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the process of partitioning and digitizing an aerial

photograph in order to build the map image information in the golf score management system according to a prefened embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a table showing an example of the map information for a hole of a golf

course in the golf score management system according to a prefened embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating operation of the handheld terminal in the golf

score management method according to a prefened embodiment of the present

invention; FIG. 10 shows an example of information stored in the handheld terminal

according to a prefened embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of transmitting information from

the client terminal to the management server and calculating a hole score according to a

prefened embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 12 is a table showing an example of the calculated hole score according to a

prefened embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the process of providing a golf score from the

management server to a client tenninal according to a prefened embodiment of the

present invention; FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing that a position of a ball is marked on the map image of the hole by means of a map generation unit of the management server

according to a prefened embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is an example of a golf score screen provided from the management server to the client terminal according to a prefened embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a handheld terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a block diagram schematically showing a remote controller according to still another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a block diagram schematically showing a handheld terminal remotely

controlled according to still another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 19 is a block diagram schematically showing a remote controlled provided

with a voice recognition function according to still another embodiment of the present

invention.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, prefened embodiments of the present invention will be described in

detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 schematically shows configuration of a system for managing golf scores

according to a prefened embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the

golf score management system of the present invention includes a handheld terminal 10

that is canied by a user during a golf game and used for inputting shot information, a

management server 30 connected to the handheld terminal 10 through a communication network 20 so as to receive required data, generate a map image of a golf course according to the received data, and calculating and managing a golf score, and a first

client terminal connected to the management server 30 through the communication

network 20 and transmitting information stored by the handheld terminal 10. In FIG. 1,

reference numeral 50 denotes a general client terminal that accesses the management

server 30 through the communication network 20, and reference numeral 60 denotes a GPS. The communication network 20 is defined to include wired/wireless communication networks and data communication networks such as Internet and

Intranet that enable mutual communication between the management server 30 and the

client terminals 40 and 50.

The handheld terminal 10 is a device that, when a user inputs his/her own shot

information, receives a cunent position coordinates from the GPS 60 accordingly and

then transmits the coordinates to the management server 30. The handheld terminal 10

is well shown in FIGs. 2 and 3.

Refening to FIGs. 2 and 3, the handheld terminal 10 of the present invention

includes a control unit 11 for controlling each unit, an input unit 12 used for inputting

shot information by a user, a display unit 13 for displaying input menus and input state

to a user, a GPS coordinates receiving unit 14 for receiving a coordinates from the GPS

60, a storage unit 15 for storing ID information peculiar to the terminal, an internal

clock 16 for counting time such as year, month and date, and a reading/writing means 17

detachable to a portable memory 100 to read or write data in the portable memory 100. The input unit 12 includes club selection buttons 14a and number buttons 14b as shown in FIG. 3 as an example, and preferably includes a game start button 14c and a

game end button 14d. The input unit 12 generates different signals depending on the

selection of button, and then applies the signals to the control unit 11. Here, the club selection buttons 14a are used for inputting a kind of club to be used when a user shots a

golf ball. For example, the club selection buttons 14a includes a driver (D), a wood

(W), an iron (I), a pitch (P) and a putter (PT). The number buttons 14b are used for inputting a club number or other numerical information. The GPS coordinates receiving unit 14 requests cunent coordinates information of a golf ball to the GPS 60, and then receives the current coordinates information.

GPS used in the present invention may include a DGPS (Differential GPS) system that corrects a range of error with the use of a difference between a coordinates value of a

specific position and a measurement value thereof, and also may include a DARC

system that provides a correction data of DGPS through FM broadcasting.

The storage unit 15 temporarily stores peculiar ID information of the handheld

terminal 10 as well as system information and programs required for operation.

The reading/writing means 17 is a driver device such as a card reader/writer,

capable of reading or writing data with the portable memory 100 combined therein. In

the embodiment of FIG. 3, the reading/writing means 17 is prepared in a lower portion

of the handheld terminal 10 so that the portable memory 100 may be inserted therein.

The portable memory 100 stores an access program 110 required for connection to the management server 30, ID information 120 of the handheld terminal 10, time

information 130 about year, month and data when golf rounding is held, shot

information 140 composed of kind and number of golf clubs, and GPS coordinates information 150 about a cunent ball position in a golf course.

The access program 110 is a program for connecting the first client terminal 40

to the management server 30. For example, the access program 110 executes an access

to the management server 30 through Internet, and includes IP address and other

necessary authentication information of the management server for the access. FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing configuration of the management

server 30 according to a prefened embodiment of the present invention. Refening to

FIG. 4, the management server 30 includes a control unit 31 for controlling each unit, a web management unit 32, a map generation unit 33, and a score management unit 34.

The web management unit 32 provides, for example, a hypermedia web page

based on HTML to the client terminals 40 and 50, connected through the communication network 20 such as Internet, and then manages the web page. In

addition, the web management unit 32 provides desired golf score information to the

second client terminal 50 in a predetermined format in response to a user request

through Internet.

The map generation unit 33 searches a database with reference to the received

coordinates information of a golf ball and then extracts a map conesponding by marking a ball position on the extracted map so as to generate a map image.

The score management unit 34 calculates a golf score of a user with reference to

the shot information and the coordinates information.

Each component composing the management server 30 of the present invention

is preferably realized with a web program, and it may be coded in ASP, PHP, CGI, JSP,

JAVA, NET/ASP and so on, which are web program languages. The management server 30 is connected to a database in which various information input from the client terminals 40 and 50 and interactively generated in the

management server 30 is recorded, updated or deleted. This database may include a

member information DB 36, a map information DB 37, a score information DB 38 and a

weather information DB 39, for example.

The member information DB 36 includes information about personal details of users who are provided with service from the golf score management system of the present invention, such as a name, an address, an ID, a password and a contact number. In the map information DB 37, map information of each golf course is stored

together with conesponding coordinates information. Here, the process of building the

map information is well shown in FIG. 6. Seeing the process, a hole of the golf course

is divided into several regions as shown in FIG. 7 and then an aerial photographed is taken for each region (step S 110).

And then, the photographed image is digitized using a digitizer equipped with a

scanner to obtain a register data, and coordinates for the hole map is obtained by means

of vectorizing. Accordingly, x-, y- and z-coordinates for the conesponding map image

are obtained (step S120). The obtained coordinates are stored in a map information table as shown in FIG.

8. For example, 'map image', 'golf course', 'hole number', 'X,Y,Z coordinates

ranges', 'tee ground', 'hole cup coordinates', 'green coordinates range' and 'bunker

coordinates range' may be stored in the map information DB 37 (step S130).

Preferably, the map information may include additional information about a golf course

like a summery of the golf course, hole information and a regulated hitting number (a

par).

Preferably, the map image for the hole is graphic-processed, then converted to have storage suitable for data transmission through the communication network, and then stored in the map information DB 37. The score information DB 38 stores game information of a user together with

position information of a golf course, which is described later.

The weather information DB 39 stores information including weather, wind velocity, wind direction and temperature of golf courses throughout the nation at each O 2005/050521

time. Preferably, the management server 30 may be configured to receive weather

information through a terminal (not shown) prepared in a golf course, or to be provided

with weather information in real time in connection to a weather providing server, not

shown, and then store the weather information in the weather information DB 39. Besides, additional information used for management of members and golf

scores may be included as databases. Such databases may be realized using a SQL

server, a Mysql server or an Oracle server, and managed by a database management unit

35 in a bundle. Meanwhile, the aforementioned management server 30 is configured to be

operable as one server, but those skilled in the art will understand that its functions may

be diversified to several servers. That is to say, the management server 30 may be

designed in a decentralized structure so that each of the databases and the modules may

be prepared in an individual server unit.

The first client terminal 40 transmits information stored in the portable memory 100 to the management server 30. The first client terminal 40 is preferably a computer device prepared in a golf course or the like. Refening to FIG. 5 schematically showing configuration of the first client terminal 40, the first client terminal 40 includes a control unit 41, an input unit 42 such as a keyboard for inputting various data, a display unit 43

such as a monitor for outputting the input data and other data on a screen, a main memory 44 storing programs required for system operation and control, a communication interface 45 for allowing communication with the management server

30 through the communication network 20, and a reading means 46 for reading data recorded in the portable memory 100 detachably combined to the reading means 46. O 2005/050521

The reading means 46 is a driver device into which the portable memory 100 is

inserted. That is to say, the reading means 46 is preferably a memory card reader

capable of reading information recorded in the portable memory 100.

Reference numeral 50 denotes a second client terminal generally connected to

the management server 30 through the communication network 20. The second client

terminal 50 may be a general desktop, a notebook, a PDA, a mobile terminal and so on.

The first and second client terminals 40 and 50 are respectively provided with a LAN

card or a modem so as to exchange data with the management server 30 through the

communication network. In addition, a web browser such as Internet Explorer of Microsoft is loaded on the client terminals 40 and 50 so as to analyze and display, for

example, a HTML web page provided from the management server 30.

Now, the process of managing golf scores by means of the system of the present

invention including the handheld terminal configured as mentioned above is described.

According to the present invention, a user inputs his/her own shot information

into the handheld terminal 10 in a golf course, then transfer the information to a portable

memory, and then transmits the information to the management server 30 for the

purpose of management of a golf score. This process is well shown in FIG. 9. Refening to FIG. 9, the user should register his/her own handheld terminal 10

prior to playing golf rounding (step S210). According to the present invention, the

user may purchase a handheld terminal 10 to possess it, or hire out a handheld terminal

10 to use. If a user possesses the handheld terminal 10, the user may access the management server 30 with the use of a separate client terminal 50, and then register a

specific number of the handheld terminal and personal details of the user in advance. Meanwhile, in the case that the handheld terminal 10 is hired out, a manager of the golf

course may transmit a specific number of the handheld terminal 10 and personal details

of the user to the management server 30 with the use of a terminal prepared in the golf

course when the handheld terminal 10 is hired out. The specific number of the handheld terminal 10 and the personal information of

the user are transmitted to the management server 30, and the database management unit

35 of the management server 30 stores and updates them in the member information DB

36 (step S211).

If the user registration is completed, the golf rounding is regularized. At this

time, the user canies the handheld terminal 10, and the portable memory 100 is

combined to the handheld terminal 10.

If the game starts, the user pushes the game start button 14c (see FIG. 3) of the

handheld terminal 10 to inform the server that the game is started (step S212).

Accordingly, the handheld terminal 10 firstly determines whether a necessary access

program 110 is stored in the portable memory 100 (step S213). If the access program 110 is not stored, the handheld terminal 10 downloads the access program 110 stored in the storage unit 15 and then stores it in the portable memory 100 (step S214). In this

embodiment, it is described that the access program 110 stored in the storage unit 15 of

the handheld terminal 10 is downloaded and then stored in the portable memory 100. However, as an alternative, it is also possible that an access program 110 provided from

the management server 30 is stored in the portable memory 100 in advance after a user accesses the management server 30 through the client terminal 40 or 50. At the same time, the handheld terminal 10 stores the ID information, or a specific number of the handheld terminal 10 stored in the storage unit 15, in the portable memory 100 (step S215).

Subsequently, after making a tee shot on a tee shot ground, the user goes to a

position where the ball is landed and then inputs 'first tee shot information' composed

of the kind and the number of the used club to the handheld terminal 10 through the

input unit 12 (step S216). For example, in the case that the user uses the first driver,

the user may push the 'D' button and the T button of the handheld terminal (see FIG.

3) in order. And then, as a confirmation button, the user pushes a '#' button, as an

example. Preferably, the user may input kind and number of a used club according to

the guidance message output on the display unit 13 step by step.

The shot information input as mentioned above is stored in the portable memory

100 by means of the reading/writing means 17 of the handheld terminal 10 (step S217).

At this time, the control unit 11 checks cunent time infonnation 130 from the internal

clock 16 and then stores it together with the shot information. If the time infonnation 130 and the shot information 140 are input, the control

unit 11 of the handheld terminal 10 operates the GPS coordinates receiving unit 14 and

instructs the GPS coordinates receiving unit 14 to request coordinates information for a cunent position of the handheld terminal 10, or a cunent ball position, as a first hitting

position to the GPS 60. Accordingly, the GPS coordinates receiving unit 14 requests

the cunent coordinates information of the handheld terminal 10 to the GPS 60, and then receives the coordinates information composed of, for example, 13 digits from the GPS 60 as a result (step S218). Such coordinates information includes data about x-, y- and z- coordinates. After receiving the current coordinates information about the ball position, the

control unit 1 1 makes the coordinates information 150 be recorded and stored in the

portable memory 100 by using the reading/writing means 17 (step S219).

Additionally, the control unit 11 of the handheld terminal 10 may determine

whether the game comes to an end in the step S220. For example, if the game ends,

the user pushes the game end button 14d (see FIG. 3) of the handheld terminal 10, and

then the control unit 11 may record in the portable memory 100 that the game comes to

an end.

If the game does not end in the step S220, the sequence returns again to the step S216 for input of shot information. That is to say, after making the first shot, the user

makes a second shot. In addition, the user walks to a position where the ball is landed,

and then inputs second shot information at that place, as mentioned above. If the user

inputs the second shot information, the handheld terminal 10 receives coordinates information about the second ball position from the GPS 60, and then stores the

coordinates information in the portable memory 100 together with the shot information.

By repeating this procedure, game information including the time information, the shot information and the coordinates information is stored in the portable memory

100 for each shot, as shown in FIG. 10. In the present invention, a user who ends the game transmits game information

to the management server 30 by using the first client terminal 40 prepared in a golf course or at another place. This process is now described in detail with reference to FIG. 11.

A user who ends the game connects the portable memory 100 to the reading means 46 of the first client terminal 40 (step S250). For example, a portable memory

card is inserted into a driver device such as a memory card reader.

Then, the control unit 41 of the first client terminal 40 downloads the access

program 110 stored in the portable memory 100 to the main memory 44, and then

executes the access program 110 (step S251). Preferably, a trigger file is included in

the access program 110 so that an operation system of the first client terminal 40 may

operate the trigger file to make the access program downloaded.

Subsequently, the access program 110 is automatically executed to connect the

first client terminal 40 to the management server 30 through the communication

network connected via the communication interface 45 (step S252). IP address or

authentication data required for accessing the management server 30 are included in the

access program 110.

In this embodiment, it is described that the access program 110 is executed to

connect the client terminal 40 to the management server 30. However, it is just for illustrating operation based on the functional aspect, and the present invention is not

limited to that case. For example, a web browser such as Internet Explorer may be

loaded on the first client terminal 40, and the trigger file of the access program may

links IP address of the management server 30 together with automatically executing the web browser of the first client terminal 40. As mentioned above, if the first client terminal 40 is connected to the

management server 30, the first client terminal 40 reads the ID information 120, the time information 130, the shot information 140 and the coordinates information 150 stored in the portable memory 100, and then transmits them to the management server 30 (step S253).

At this time, the management server 30 records and stores the information

transmitted from the first client terminal 40 (step S254). Specifically, the control unit

31 of the management server 30 searches the member information DB 36 with reference

to the ID information 120, and then extracts personal information of the corresponding

user. After that, the control unit 31 stores the time information, the shot information

and the coordinates information for each user. At this time, the control unit 31 extracts

weather information such as weather, wind direction and wind speed conesponding to

the time when the user plays the golf game from the weather information DB 39, and

then stores the weather information together (step S255).

Subsequently, the score management unit 34 of the management server 30

calculates and stores a hole score and a total game score on the basis of the stored

information (step S256). The hole score calculated by the score management unit 34 is

stored in the score information DB 38. The hole score information includes the position information such as a golf course and a hole number, the weather information

such as weather, a wind direction and a wind speed, and the game information such as a final score, a rounding time, a hitting number, a used club, a flying distance and a landed point. In addition, other data may be added for management of the golf score as required. During the score calculating process, the score management unit 34 of the

management server 30 may find basic golf course information such as a golf course where a user plays a golf game, a hole number and a regulated hitting number (or, a par)

by searching the map information DB 37 with reference to the coordinates information received from the first client terminal 40 and stored therein. This may eliminate any

inconvenience of a user to select and input a golf course or a hole in advance for

progressing a game.

In addition, a flying distance and a landed point of a golf ball may be calculated

by comparing the coordinates information corresponding to each shot information with

existing map information shown in FIG. 8. For example, the score management unit

34 may calculates a flying distance with coordinates information of a former shot and

coordinates of a cunent shot with reference to the map information DB 37, and then

obtain a ball position, or a landed point such as on a field, a rough or a hazard. Though not shown in drawings, there may be used various ways for

distinguishing each hole game according to the present invention. According to a

prefened embodiment of the present invention, each hole may be distinguished

depending on the kind of golf club used. For example, if a user inputs data informing

usage of a putter (PT) and then shot information about usage of a different kind of club

such as a driver (D) or an iron (I) is stored, it may be determined that the hole game comes to an end since such change of clubs means that the hole is changed.

As an alternative, it is also possible that a predetermined waiting time is preset,

and then it is determined that the hole game comes to an end if a time consumed between two shot information exceeds the waiting time. According to still another embodiment of the present invention, when using a

putter, a user may input and store only the number of putting in the handheld terminal 10. When a short putting is conducted on the green, it may be meaningless to mark a position of a ball putted. That is to say, once a ball is landed on the green, a user should use a putter (PT), so the user putts a ball several times and then inputs the total

number of putting in the handheld terminal 10. For example, if a user putts three times,

the user may input the buttons in order to 'PT' -> '3' -> '#'. Then, only the putting

number obtained by using the putter is recorded in the shot information 140 of the

portable memory 100. Thus, it is possible to distinguish each hole and calculate a

score on the basis of the putting number.

As still another embodiment, it is also possible to determine whether the hole

game comes to an end by checking that coordinates information matched with each shot

information pertains to the same hole with reference to the coordinates range of the hole,

stored in the map information DB 37. In the present invention, the method of determining end of a hole game is not

limited to the above cases, but it should be understood that various criteria may be

applied to determine end of a hole game within the spirit of the present invention.

In the step S256, if a score of each hole is completely calculated, a total game score is subsequently calculated and stored.

According to a prefened embodiment of the present invention, the score

information stored as mentioned above may be provided to the second client terminal 50

accessing the management server 30, as well shown in FIG. 13.

Refening to FIG. 13, a user or a third party accesses the management server 30 through the communication network 20 by use of the second client terminal 50 and then logs in to the management server 30 (step S310). Preferably, the web management unit 32 of the management server 30 provides a logging-in window to the second client terminal 50, and a user may complete the logging-in process by inputting and sending his/her own ID and/or password.

Subsequently, the user or the third party clicks one of menus provided from the

web management unit 32 to the second client terminal 50 so as to request score

information of a specific hole to the management server 30 (step S311). If the score information is requested from the client terminal 50, the control unit

31 forces the map generation unit 33 and the score management unit 34 to generate a

map image and extract score information.

Specifically, the score management unit 34 searches and extracts score

information of a user or a desired golfer, previously stored, from the score information DB 38 (step S312).

Next, the map generation unit 33 extracts a map image River_l of the golf

course recorded in the score information table from the map information DB 37 (step

S313).

After that, the map generation unit 33 marks and displays ball positions in order

of hitting on the extracted map image according to the coordinates information shown in the score information (step S314). The map image in which ball positions are marked

may be regenerated and stored in a new image format, as shown in FIG. 14 as an example.

Subsequently, the web management unit 32 provides the score information and

the marked map image to the second client terminal 50 through the communication network 20 (step S315). Then, the second client terminal 50 may displays such information as shown in FIG. 15 for example.

As mentioned above, though the present invention has been described with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, it should be understood that various

changes and modifications within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the

appended claims will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed

description. For example, in the system for managing golf scores according to a preferred

embodiment of the present invention, the handheld terminal may be modified to have configuration as shown in FIG. 16.

Here, most components such as the control unit 11, the input unit 12, the display

unit 13, the GPS coordinates receiving unit 14 and the clock 16 are identical to those

shown in and descried with reference to FIG. 2. In this embodiment, instead of the

portable memory, the access program 110, the ID information DB 120, the time

information DB 130, the shot information DB 140 and the coordinates information DB

150 are recorded and stored in an internal memory 18 of the handheld terminal.

The handheld terminal of this embodiment is provided with a data transmission

port 19 for transmitting various data stored in the memory 18 to an external client

terminal, and a data transmission line is connected thereto for data transmission. The handheld terminal of this embodiment may be a personal portable terminal

such as a mobile terminal or a PDA equipped with a GPS coordinates receiving function.

In this case, the input unit 12 does not directly include the club section buttons 14a and

the number buttons 14b, but it is preferable that a user may select a club with the use of direction buttons and number buttons according to menus displayed on the display unit 13. In addition, it is also possible that time information provided from a service provider of a mobile communication network is used instead of the clock 16. In operation of the handheld terminal according to this embodiment, a user

inputs the shot information 140 by selecting, for example, a displayed menu as an input

key, and this shot information 140 is stored in the memory 18 together with time

information. In addition, as mentioned above, if the time information 130 and the shot

information 140 are input, the control unit 11 of the handheld terminal 10 operates the

GPS coordinates receiving unit 14 so as to receive coordinates information about a

cunent position of the handheld terminal 10 from the GPS 60, and then the received

coordinates information is stored in the memory 18. Preferably, the access program

110 may be installed in the memory 18 by accessing the management server 30 or

another web server through a wired/wireless network and then downloading the access

program in advance. The ID information DB 120 stores peculiar number information

of the mobile terminal.

If the game ends after repeating the data inputting process, a user connects a data

receiving port (not shown) of the first client terminal 40 prepared in the golf course or at a third place to the data transmission port 19 of the handheld terminal via a separate

transmission line. Then, the control unit 11 transmits the information stored in the

memory 18 to the first client terminal 40 through the transmission line so that the

information is downloaded to the first client terminal 40. Subsequently, the control unit 41 of the first client terminal 40 executes the

access program 110, and connects to the management server 30 through the

communication network 20. The following procedure is identical to that of the former embodiment.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, a golfer may input his/her own shot information by use of a small remote controller, as shown in

FIGs. 17 and 18. FIG. 17 shows a remote controller 70 carried by a golfer for inputting

shot information, and FIG. 18 shows a handheld terminal to which the shot information

is input by the remote controller 70. According to this embodiment, a golfer just carries the remote controller 70 that

has a relatively smaller size, and the handheld terminal may be carried by a caddy or on

a cart so that the golfer may input shot information.

The remote controller 70 transmits data with the handheld terminal by means of,

for example, a Bluetooth communication method. For this purpose, the remote

controller 70 includes a control unit 71 for controlling each component, an input unit 72

used for inputting shot information, a display unit 73 for displaying guidance menu and

input information, and a bluetooth transmission module 74 for transmitting the input

information. The input unit 72 includes club selection buttons 14a, number buttons

14b, a game start button 14c and a game end button 14d, as provided in the handheld

terminal shown in FIG. 3. Preferably, these buttons are small so that the remote

controller 70 may have a small size.

The handheld terminal shown in FIG. 18 is substantially identical to the

handheld terminal shown in FIG. 2, except that a bleutooth receiving module 18 for

receiving data transmitted from the bluetooth transmission module 74 of the remote controller 70 is provided. As for the operation of this embodiment, a golfer inputs shot information by means of the input unit 72 of the remote controller 70, and the input information is

transmitted to the handheld terminal via the bluetooth transmission module 74. Subsequently, the shot information is received by means of the bluetooth receiving

module 18 of the handheld terminal, and the following procedure is identical to that of

the former embodiment.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, a user may input

shot information by voice, not using buttons. For this purpose, a remote controller 80

shown in FIG. 19 is provided with a voice recognition unit 81 that recognizes and

encodes voice input through a microphone. Other components are identical to the former description.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention has the following effects.

First, the system of the present invention may be used without intenupting the

game since a golfer simply inputs his/her own shot information, namely the kind of golf

club, by means of the handheld terminal while enjoying the game for the management of

golf scores. Second, since the handheld terminal may request accurate coordinates

information according to simple input of a golfer, and then receives and stores the

coordinates information, a may not check a ball position separately.

Third, game information is automatically transmitted to the management server only if a golfer connects the portable memory to a certain client terminal, and a golf score is calculated accordingly. Thus, the present invention allows a user to manage golf scores in a very convenient way.

Fourth, a golfer as well as a third party may be provided with a cunent position of the golf ball shot by the golfer, marked on a map of the golf course, by accessing the

management server with a client terminal. Thus, the present invention ensures more

accurate and systematic score management.

Fifth, the weather information and the score information are updated and

recorded in real time in the management server of the present invention together with

the coordinates information about a ball hit by a golfer, so it is possible to provide

various kinds of golf-related program services by utilizing such data.

The present invention has been described in detail. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating

prefened embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since

various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will

become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A handheld terminal for managing golf scores, comprising: an input unit provided with buttons for input of shot information composed of

kinds of golf clubs and numbers; a storage unit that stores ID information peculiar to the handheld terminal; a clock for generating time information; a display unit for displaying an input guidance and details input through the

input unit; a GPS coordinates receiving unit for requesting and receiving cunent

coordinates information of the handheld terminal to/from a GPS when the shot

information is received through the input unit; a reading/writing means for reading or writing data from/to a portable memory

that is detachably combined thereto; and a control unit for controlling each of the above units, wherein the ID information, the shot information, the time information and the coordinates information are recorded and stored in the portable memory by means of the

reading/writing means.

2. A handheld terminal for managing golf scores according to claim 1 , wherein the buttons of the input unit includes club selection buttons and number

buttons.

3. A system for managing golf scores, comprising: a handheld terminal for requesting and receiving cunent coordinates information

of the handheld terminal to/from a GPS when shot information composed of kinds of

golf clubs and numbers is input, and then storing ID information peculiar to the

handheld terminal and time information together with the shot information and the

coordinates information to a portable memory that is detachably combined to the

handheld terminal; a management server for receiving the shot information, the coordinates

information, the ID information and the time information through a communication

network, calculating a golf score, storing the golf score for each user, extracting a map

image for a hole conesponding to the coordinates information, marking a ball position

on the map image according to the coordinates information, and then providing the map

image; and a first client terminal to which the portable memory is detachable, wherein, when being connected to the portable memory, the first client terminal is automatically

connected to the management server through the communication network by means of

an access program stored in the portable memory to transmit the shot information, the

coordinates information, the ID information and the time information stored in the portable memory to the management server.

4. A system for managing golf scores according to claim 3, wherein the handheld terminal includes: an input unit provided with buttons for input of the shot information; a storage unit for storing the ID information of the handheld terminal; a clock for generating the time information; a display unit for displaying an input guidance and details input through the

input unit; a GPS coordinates receiving unit for requesting and receiving the current

coordinates information of the handheld terminal to/from the GPS when the shot

information is received through the input unit; a reading/writing means for reading or writing data from/to the portable memory that is detachably combined thereto; and a control unit for controlling each of the above units, wherein the ID information, the shot information, the time information and the

coordinates information are recorded and stored in the portable memory by means of the reading/writing means.

5. A system for managing golf scores according to claim 3, wherein the

management server includes: a web management unit for providing and managing golf score information on a hypermedia web page to a second client terminal accessed through the communication network; a map generation unit for extracting a map image of the conesponding hole from

a database according to the coordinates information, and marking a ball position conesponding to the coordinates information on the extracted map image; a score management unit for calculating a golf score according to the shot information and the coordinates information; and a control unit for controlling each of the above units.

6. A system for managing golf scores according to claim 5, wherein the management server is in linkage with a database, and wherein the database includes: a member information DB storing data about personal details of a user; a map information DB storing data about map images for holes in a golf

course and coordinates ranges thereof; and a score information DB storing the shot information, the coordinates

information and golf score data for each user.

7. A method for managing golf scores, which uses a system including a

handheld terminal possessed by a user in a golf course, a first client terminal, and a

management server connected to the first client terminal through a communication network, the method comprising:

(a) combining a portable memory to the handheld tenninal;

(b) inputting shot information composed of kinds of golf clubs and numbers to

the handheld terminal; (c) requesting and receiving coordinates information about a cunent position of the handheld terminal to/from a GPS;

(d) storing ID information peculiar to the handheld terminal, the shot information, the coordinates information and time infonnation to the portable memory; O 2005/050521

(e) combining the portable memory to the first client terminal;

(f) transmitting the ID information, the shot information, the coordinates

information and the time information stored in the portable memory from the first client

terminal to the management server through the communication network; (g) the management server calculating a golf score according to the shot

information and the coordinates information, and then storing the golf score for each

user conesponding to the ID information; and

(h) the management server extracting a map image of a hole conesponding to the

coordinates information, marking a ball position on the extracted map image according

to the coordinates information, and then providing the map image through the

communication network.

8. A method for managing golf scores according to claim 7, wherein the step (d) includes: determining whether an access program for access to the management server is

stored in the portable memory, and downloading the access program from the handheld terminal and storing the access program in the portable memory in the case that it is determined that the access

program is not stored in the portable memory in the above step.

9. A method for managing golf scores according to claim 7, wherein the step (f) includes: downloading an access program from the portable memory to the first client terminal and then executing the access program.

10. A method for managing golf scores according to claim 7, wherein the

step (h) includes: logging in to the management server through a second client terminal; the second client terminal requesting a golf score to the management server; the management server extracting a map image of a corresponding hole

according to the coordinates information and marking a ball position on the map image; and providing the map image on which the ball position is marked from the

management server to the second client terminal.

11. A system for managing golf scores, comprising: a handheld terminal for requesting and receiving current coordinates information

golf clubs and numbers is input, and then storing time information together with the shot information and the coordinates information in an internal memory therein; a management server for receiving the shot information, the coordinates

information, the time information and ID information peculiar to the handheld terminal

through a communication network, calculating a golf score on the basis of the received

information, storing the golf score for each user, extracting a map image for a hole conesponding to the coordinates information, marking a ball position on the map image

according to the coordinates information, and then providing the map image; and a first client terminal automatically connected to the management server through

the communication network by means of an access program stored in the internal

memory when being connected to a data transmission port of the handheld terminal, to

transmit the shot information, the coordinates information, the ID information and the

time information stored in the internal memory to the management server.

12. A method for managing golf scores, which uses a system including a

management server comiected to the first client terminal through a communication

network, the method comprising:

(a) inputting shot information composed of kinds of golf clubs and numbers to

the handheld terminal;

(b) requesting and receiving coordinates information about a cunent position of the handheld terminal to/from a GPS; (c) storing the shot information, the coordinates information and time infonnation to an internal memory of the handheld terminal;

(d) combining the handheld terminal to the first client terminal;

(e) transmitting ID information, the shot infonnation, the coordinates information and the time information stored in the internal memory of the handheld terminal from the first client terminal to the management server via the communication

network; (f) the management server calculating a golf score according to the shot information and the coordinates information, and then storing the golf score for each user corresponding to the ID information; and

(g) the management server extracting a map image of a hole conesponding to the

to the coordinates information, and then providing the map image through the communication network.

13. A method for managing golf scores according to claim 12, wherein the

step (e) includes: downloading an access program from the internal memory of the handheld terminal to the first client terminal and then executing the access program.

14. A method for managing golf scores according to claim 12, wherein the

step (g) includes: logging in to the management server through a second client terminal; the second client terminal requesting a golf score to the management server; the management server extracting a map image of a conesponding hole

according to the coordinates information and marking a ball position on the map image;

and providing the map image on which the ball position is marked from the management server to the second client terminal.

15. A system for managing golf scores, comprising: a remote controller for transmitting shot information by means of a bluetooth communication method when the shot information composed of kinds of golf clubs and

numbers is input; a handheld terminal for requesting and receiving current coordinates information

of the handheld terminal to/from a GPS when the shot information is input from the

remote controller, and then storing ID information peculiar to the handheld terminal and

time information together with the shot information and the coordinates information to a

portable memory that is detachably combined to the handheld terminal; a management server for receiving the shot information, the coordinates

information and the time information through a communication network, calculating a

golf score on the basis of the received information, storing the golf score for each user,

extracting a map image for a hole conesponding to the coordinates information, marking a ball position on the map image according to the coordinates information, and

then providing the map image; and a first client terminal to which the portable memory is detachable, wherein, when

being connected to the portable memory, the first client terminal is automatically connected to the management server through the communication network by means of

coordinates infonnation, the ID information and the time information stored in the portable memory to the management server.

16. A method for managing golf scores according to claim 15, wherein the remote controller includes a voice recognition unit used for inputting the shot information by voice.

17. A method for managing golf scores, which uses a system including a

remote controller possessed by a user in a golf course, a handheld terminal for receiving

data from the remote controller, a first client terminal, and a management server

connected to the first client terminal through a communication network, the method comprising: (a) combining a portable memory to the handheld terminal;

(b) inputting shot information composed of kinds of golf clubs and numbers to

the remote controller; (c) transmitting the shot information from the remote controller to the handheld terminal;

(d) the handheld terminal requesting and receiving coordinates information

about a cunent position of the handheld tenninal to/from a GPS, after receiving the shot

information; (e) storing ID information peculiar to the handheld terminal, the shot information, the coordinates information and time information to the portable memory;

(f) combining the portable memory to the first client terminal;

(g) transmitting the ID information, the shot information, the coordinates information and the time information stored in the portable memory from the first client terminal to the management server through the communication network;

(h) the management server calculating a golf score according to the shot information and the coordinates information, and then storing the golf score for each user conesponding to the ID information; and (i) the management server extracting a map image of a hole corresponding to the

to . the coordinates information, and then providing the map image through the

communication network.

18. A system for managing golf scores, comprising: a handheld terminal for requesting and receiving current coordinates information of the handheld terminal to/from a GPS when shot information composed of kinds of

golf clubs and numbers is input, and then transmitting ID information peculiar to the

coordinates information to a portable memory that is detachably combined to the

handheld terminal; a management server for receiving the shot information, the coordinates information, the ID information and the time information through the communication

network, calculating a golf score on the basis of the received information, storing the golf score for each user, extracting a map image for a hole conesponding to the

coordinates information, marking a ball position on the map image according to the coordinates information, and then providing the map image; and a first client terminal to which the portable memory is detachable, wherein, when

being connected to the portable memory, the first client terminal is automatically connected to the management server through the communication network by means of an access program stored in the portable memory to transmit the shot information, the coordinates information, the ID information and the time information stored in the portable memory to the management server.