GB2133293A

GB2133293A - Electronic scoring accessory for multi-stage game, e.g. golf

Info

Publication number: GB2133293A
Application number: GB08300480A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Macfarlane Cheesbrough
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-01-08
Filing date: 1983-01-08
Publication date: 1984-07-25
Also published as: GB8300480D0

Abstract

An accessory for use in playing, e.g. golf, comprises portable electronic apparatus having memory means to record, e.g. features of each hole, calculating means to calculate scores and display means. Preferably, the accessory is connectable to a printer so that scores may be printed out to determine the overall winner in a competition. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Accessory for a game The invention relates to an accessory for use in playing a game and in particular for use as a score card having improved features. The invention is particularly suitable for use in the game of golf and for convenience will be described in relation to that game.

A gold player has a score card on which he marks in pencil his score and that of his companions. Depending on the game, the player may need to note his score, handicap, stroke index, and Stableford points. Pencils get lost and in the rain score cards get wet, and so it can be awkward to record and work out the final score, especially in a competition.

It is one object of this invention to provide for use in a game an accessory on which it is easier to record a range of information, especially the scores achieved and has certain other advantages, in particular, to record and display features of the game at different stages of play and to retrieve the scores achieved for comparison purposes in competitions.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an accessory for use when playing a game, comprising a portable electronic apparatus having calculating means, display means and memory means being arranged to record and calculate a score or aggregate score, the display means being arranged to display such a score and the memory being programmed to register features appropriate to each stage of the game.

Because the game is usually competitive, it is preferred that the calculating and display means be capable of handling the scores of a number of players, usually up to say four.

In a much preferred feature there are two memory functions. One memory function is arranged to record features of the golf course, e.g.

distances of holes, distances between greens and various features of holes, presence of bunkers, size and slope of greens, the par (and handicap) values etc. .. These features may be displayed as required. The other memory function is arranged to record, display and calculate scores, including taking account of handicaps, stroke index etc.

In a much preferred feature of the invention, the accessory is adapted for connection to a printer so that at the end of the game, the golf professional at the club house may print out the scores of all the players in a competition. Electronic means may be provided with the printer to calculate and display the best score automatically.

Preferably the accessory includes a timer so that the time taken to play a game can be recorded.

In a preferred aspect the invention provides an electronic score card for use in playing golf, the card comprising portable electronic apparatus having calculating means, display means and memory means, the calculating means and display means being arranged to receive the score of up to four individual players and record and calculate individual gross and net scores after handicap, the memory means being programmable to record and when required to display features of individual golf holes such as handicap stroke index, par score, distances obstacles, etc., and a plug or socket connectable to a printer for printing out the scores achieved in a game.

In practice, each player will have one or more accessories of this invention. The professional may pre program the accessory according to this own or the player's requirements. At each hole, the player can consult the memory for information about the hole, and can record his score and that of the other players having played the hole. At the end of the game the accessory may be given to the professional to print out the results as a record of the game.

The invention is illustrated by the accompanying diagrammatic drawing which shows the front face of an electronic score card of the invention. Each player has an individual key P 1, P2, P3, P4. The card includes two memory buttons, the memory for features (MF) being arranged to display in characters the features of a hole, e.g. by keying My 8, the display will show D200 meaning a distance of 200 metres, --100 meaning a downhill slope of 10 degrees and 2BL and 1 BR D50 meaning two bunkers on the left and one on the right, 50 metres from the green, The MF button may also be arranged to record and display distances from the green of obstacles such as trees so that a player may be guided in his selection of his golf club.The other memory relates to the score and the button (MS) is arranged to show for each player and each hole the hole number, the achieved score, the stroke index, the net score, the Stableford points, all individually and in aggregate. The button (H) relates to the handicap and is used by each player to make an appropriate adjustment to his target score.

1. An accessory for use when playing a multi stage game, comprising portable electronic apparatus having memory means programmed to register features appropriate to each stage of the game, calculating means arranged to calculate and record a score or aggregate score, and display means arranged to display such a score and memorised information.

2. An accessory according to Claim 1, in which there are two memory functions, one memory function being arranged to record features of the game, and the other memory function being arranged to record, display and calculate the scores achieved by players.

3. An accessory according to Claim 1 or 2, including means by which the accessory is adapted for connection to a printer whereby the scores achieved may be printed out.

4. An accessory according to any preceding Claim, including a timer.

5. An accessory for use in playing golf, comprising an electronic score card comprising

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Accessory for a game The invention relates to an accessory for use in playing a game and in particular for use as a score card having improved features. The invention is particularly suitable for use in the game of golf and for convenience will be described in relation to that game. A gold player has a score card on which he marks in pencil his score and that of his companions. Depending on the game, the player may need to note his score, handicap, stroke index, and Stableford points. Pencils get lost and in the rain score cards get wet, and so it can be awkward to record and work out the final score, especially in a competition. It is one object of this invention to provide for use in a game an accessory on which it is easier to record a range of information, especially the scores achieved and has certain other advantages, in particular, to record and display features of the game at different stages of play and to retrieve the scores achieved for comparison purposes in competitions. According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an accessory for use when playing a game, comprising a portable electronic apparatus having calculating means, display means and memory means being arranged to record and calculate a score or aggregate score, the display means being arranged to display such a score and the memory being programmed to register features appropriate to each stage of the game. Because the game is usually competitive, it is preferred that the calculating and display means be capable of handling the scores of a number of players, usually up to say four. In a much preferred feature there are two memory functions. One memory function is arranged to record features of the golf course, e.g. distances of holes, distances between greens and various features of holes, presence of bunkers, size and slope of greens, the par (and handicap) values etc. .. These features may be displayed as required. The other memory function is arranged to record, display and calculate scores, including taking account of handicaps, stroke index etc. In a much preferred feature of the invention, the accessory is adapted for connection to a printer so that at the end of the game, the golf professional at the club house may print out the scores of all the players in a competition. Electronic means may be provided with the printer to calculate and display the best score automatically. Preferably the accessory includes a timer so that the time taken to play a game can be recorded. In a preferred aspect the invention provides an electronic score card for use in playing golf, the card comprising portable electronic apparatus having calculating means, display means and memory means, the calculating means and display means being arranged to receive the score of up to four individual players and record and calculate individual gross and net scores after handicap, the memory means being programmable to record and when required to display features of individual golf holes such as handicap stroke index, par score, distances obstacles, etc., and a plug or socket connectable to a printer for printing out the scores achieved in a game. In practice, each player will have one or more accessories of this invention. The professional may pre program the accessory according to this own or the player's requirements. At each hole, the player can consult the memory for information about the hole, and can record his score and that of the other players having played the hole. At the end of the game the accessory may be given to the professional to print out the results as a record of the game. The invention is illustrated by the accompanying diagrammatic drawing which shows the front face of an electronic score card of the invention. Each player has an individual key P 1, P2, P3, P4. The card includes two memory buttons, the memory for features (MF) being arranged to display in characters the features of a hole, e.g. by keying My 8, the display will show D200 meaning a distance of 200 metres, --100 meaning a downhill slope of 10 degrees and 2BL and 1 BR D50 meaning two bunkers on the left and one on the right, 50 metres from the green, The MF button may also be arranged to record and display distances from the green of obstacles such as trees so that a player may be guided in his selection of his golf club.The other memory relates to the score and the button (MS) is arranged to show for each player and each hole the hole number, the achieved score, the stroke index, the net score, the Stableford points, all individually and in aggregate. The button (H) relates to the handicap and is used by each player to make an appropriate adjustment to his target score. CLAIMS

4. An accessory according to any preceding Claim, including a timer.

5. An accessory for use in playing golf, comprising an electronic score card comprising portable electronic apparatus having calculating means, display means and memory means, the calculating means and display means being arranged to receive the score of up to four individual players and record and caiculate individual gross and net scores after handicap, the memory means being programmable to record and to display features of individual golf holes and a plug or socket connectable to a printer for printing out the scores achieved in a game whereby in a competition the winner may readily be determined.

6. An accessory in competition golf substantially as described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing.

6. An accessory substantially as described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

Superseded claims 1-6.

New or amended claims:-

1. An accessory for use in playing golf, comprising an electronic score card comprising portable electronic apparatus having calculating means and display means being arranged to receive a score of up to say four individual players and record and calculate individual gross and net scores after handicap, the memory means being programmable to record and to display features of individual golf holes.

2. An accessory according to Claim 1, in which the memory is arranged to record and display features such as the presence of obstacles, the size and slope of greens and distance of holes.

4. An accessory according to Claim 3, in which the means comprises a plug or socket connectable to a printer for printing out the scores achieved whereby in a competition the winner may readily be determined by a golf professional.

5. An accessory according to any preceding Claim, in which the scores are expressed as handicapped Stableford points.