GB2243302A - Golf scoring device - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for scoring a golf game for at least one player on a golf course is connectable with a host computer through an interface and includes input means and control means which is so programmed as to allow the host computer to load the par and the distance of each hole of the golf course, the name of the golf course and the name of each player to the memory means when the scoring device is linked with the host computer via the interface before playing the golf game, and to allow the host computer to read the name of each player and the score of each player for each hole of the golf game from the memory means when the scoring device is linked with the host computer after the golf game. Contacts 11 link the device with a computer and during play scores can be entered via a keyboard 31-46. <IMAGE>

Description

GOLF SCORING DEVICE WITH COMPUTER LINE-UP CAPABILITY The present invention relates to a golf scoring device, particularly to a golf scoring device with computer link-up capability.

Conventional golf score recording uses manually recorded score cards. The record on the score cards are keyed into a computer by an operator so as to calculate the total stroke score for each golf player and decide the final rank. However, in practice, such a score recording method often makes mistakes and is ineffective due to inadvertent misrecording or miskeying of the record. The above-mentioned inconvenience gets even worse when more participants join in a golf game.

An improved electric golf score recorder have replaced conventional score cards, wherein the stroke information of each player is sequentially keyed into this score recorder instead of being manually recorded.

However, such a score recorder is functionally restricted, for example, golf players can only be represented by arabic numerals, which seems to be less personal than being represented by their names.

Furthermore, the stroke information of each player still needs to be keyed by an operator into the computer so as to decide the rank.

The present invention intends to provide a golf scoring device in which each player's stroke scores can be recorded in the scoring device and later directly downloaded from the scoring device to a computer.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the present invention intends to provide a method for scoring a golf game for at least one player in a golf course which has a host computer, a first software and a scoring device having a second software comprises the steps of: (a) inputting the name of the golf course, the par and distance of each hole of the golf course and the name of each player, from the host computer into the scoring device by means of the first software before the golf game; (b) inputting the score of each player for each hole of the game of each player into the scoring device during the golf game: (c) loading the name of each player and the score of each player for each hole of the game from the scoring device into the host computer by means of the first software after the golf game; wherein (d) the host computer is so programmed that when step (c) is finished, the name of the golf course, the par and distance of each hole of the golf course. the name of each player and the score of each player for each hole of the game are stored into an external memory carrier by means of the first software.

Another method for scoring a golf game for at least one player in a golf course musing a host computer and a scoring device according to the present invention comprises the steps of: (a) inputting the name of each player into the scoring device before the golf game; (b) inputting the score of each player for each hole of the game into the scoring device during the golf game; (c) loading the score of each player for each hole of the golf game from the scoring device into the host computer by means of the first software; wherein (d) the host computer is so programmed that after step (c) is finished, the name of the golf course, the par and distance of each hole of the golf course, the name of each player and the score of each player for each hole of the game are stored into an internal memory carrier by means of the first software.

The present invention further provides a device for scoring a golf game for at least one player in association with a host computer through an interface, the interface havino a first connecting end for connecting with a connecting end of the host computer and a second connecting end for connecting with a connecting end of the scoring device and making possible the connection of the host computer and the scoring device.The scoring device comprises: input means for inputting the name of the golf course, the par and distance of each hole of the golf course, the name of each player and the score of each player for each hole of the golf game; memory means for storming the par and the distance of each hole of the golf course, the name of the golf course, the name of each player and the score of each player for each hole of the golf game; display means for displaying the par and distance of each hole of the golf course, the total distance of the front nine holes, the total distance of the rear nine holes, the total distance and total par of the eighteen holes, the name of the golf course, the name of each golf player, the score of each player for each hole of the golf game and the total score of each player; and control means which is so programmed as to allow the host computer to load the par and the distance of each hole of the golf course. the name of the golf course and the name of each player, to the memory means when the scoring device is linked with the host computer via the interface before playing the golf game, and to allow the host computer to read the name of each player, the score of each player for each hole of the golf course and the total score of each player from the memory means when the scorinG device is linked with the host computer after the golf dame.

The scoring device also comprises checkinG means for checking the data of the golf course and the golf game. The scoring device further comprises correcting means for the correction of the data of the golf course and the golf game, the correcting means performing the correction only when the checking means is actuated.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a golf scoring device wherein information of a golf course and the name of each player can be downloaded from a computer to the golf score recorder.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a golf scoring device wherein the information of a golf course and the name of each player can also be manually keyed into the score recorder.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a golf scoring device wherein the stroke information of each player can be keyed into the golf score recorder.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a scoring device wherein the stroke information of each player as well as the information of the golf course can be uploaded from the scoring device to the computer mentioned above.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a method for linking a golf scoring device and a host computer via an interface.

These and additional objects, if not set forth specifically herein, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a golf scoring device in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the golf scoring device of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the main units of the logic circuitry of the golf scoring device and the relationships between them; Fig. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of a scoring method according to the present invention; Fig. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of another scoring method according to the present invention; Fig. 6 is a schematic flow chart in associated with Fig. 4; and Fig. 7 is a schematic flo chart in associated with Fig. 5.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the golf scoring device 1 according to the present invention comprises an edoe connector 11 mounted in a groove lii for connecting to a host computer so as to download information from the host computer to the golf score recorder 1 or upload information from the golf score recorder 1 to the host computer. Such information includes names of golf players, fundamental data of the golf course, stroke and score of each player for each hole. A dovetail lid 112 removable by means of dovetail joint is provided to shield the edge connector 11.

On an upper part of a front panel 3 of the golf score recorder 1 there is provided an LCD display 13 which comprises an upper display section 131 and a lower display section 132. The upper display section 131 comprises a "COURSE/PLA-ER" indicating area 51 for indicating a golf course number or a player number, a "COURSE/PLAYER NAME" area 52 for displaying the name of the golf course or player corresponding to the golf course number or player number displayed on the "COURSE/PLAYER" indicating area 2? and a "MODE" area 53 which shows that the present mode of the golf score recorder 1 is in an input mode, a check mode, a correct mode or a clear mode.

The lower display section 132 comprises a "HOLE" area D for displaying the hole number, a "PAR' area 5 for displaying a par of the hole displayed on the "HOLE" area 54, a "YARD" area 56 for displaying the distance of the hole, a "STROKE" area 57 for displaying how many strokes taken by a player to get from the tee to the green, a "PUTT" area 59 for displaying how many times a player putted before holing the ball, and a "TOTAL SCORE" area 59 for displaying the present total score for the golf player. The golf score recorder 1 also provide a knot or screw 12 for adjusting the brightness of the display.

On a lower part of the front panel 2 of the golf score recorder 1 there is provided a ke pad assembly 50 which comprises several function keys. A mode key 36 provides an alternative selection of the upper display section 131 in a course mode or a player mode during data input. Four COURSE/PLAYER keys 31, 32, 33 and 34 respectively represent four different golf courses or players. A depression of 31, 32, 33 or 34 causes the "COURSE/PL.AYER" indicating area 51 to respectively display "C1", "C2", "C3" or "CA" (if the mode key 36 is in the course mode) or to respectively display "P1", "P2", "P3" or "P4" (if the mode key 36 is in the player mode).The present golf score recorder may record, at maximum, four different groups of data covering four different golf courses, four different players and the stroke, putt and total scores of the players.

An "ON" key 200 and an "OFF" key 10 are provided for controlling the "POWER ON and "POWER OFF" function. as in a conventional calculator or similar article. The present golf scoring device also provides an auto shut-off function as in a conventional calculator or similar article. An alpha key 35 is provided for manually inputting names of courses and players when such information is not downloaded from the host computer to the golf scoring device 1 (for example, when the players are very eager to proceed to a game).

An increase key 44, a decrease key 46 and a "ENTER" key 45 are provided for inputting stroke scores and names of courses and players. For example, when the COURSE/PLAYER key 31 is pressed with the mode key 36 in the player mode (a "P1" signal will be displayed on the COURSE/PLAYER indicating area 51 and a "SKPT" signal representing "STROKE" and "PUTT" will be displayed on the mode area 53), a cursor will appear on the "STROKE" area to guide the user to input the stroke data for the hole. If the alpha key 35 is depressed, then the cursor will move to the "COURSE/PLAYER NAME" area 52 for inputting (or directly changing) the name of the player while the mode area 53 will display "PNIP".At this moment, it is impossible to go to the course mode by pressing the mode key unless the alpha key 35 is first pressed which changes the mode area 53 back to the "SKPT" status.

When inputting the name of the first player under the "PNIP" mode, depression on the increase key 44 will cause an alpha "A" to be shown on the first address of the "COURSE/PLAYER NAME" area 52 of the upper display section 131. Continual depression of the increase key 44 causes the first address of the "COURSE/PLAYER NAME" area D2 to display "B", "C", "D", ...., "Y", "Z", and " " (i.e., space) sequentially and then return to "A".

This continues until the increase key 44 is released.

The "ENTER" key QD is depressed when correct first alpha of the name of the first player is displayed on the first address of the COURSE/PLAYER NAME area 52.

The function of the decrease key 46 is the same as the increase ke 44 except that a first depression of the decrease key 44 will cause a "Z" appear on the COURSE/PLAYER NAME area 52 and a continual depression will cause the COURSE/PLAYER NAME area 52 to display "Y", "L", "W", "V", ......, "B", "A" and " " (i.e., space) sequentially and then return to "Z'. The operation of the increase key 44 and/or the decrease key 46 as well as the "ENTER" ke 45 is repeated until the correct name of the first player is inputted.Then, COURSE/PLAYER kes 32. 33 and 34 are depressed to input the second, third and the fourth player's names into the scoring device while the mode area 53 displays "PNIP" for alpha input.

After finishing input of the player's name, the alpha key 35 is pressed to change the mode area 53 to display "SKPT" (the cursor moves to the "STROKE" area 57) and the mode key 36 is pressed to change to the course mode (the mode area 53 is changed to "DATA" and the cursor moves to the "PAR" area 55) which allows the user to input the par and the distance of each hole of the golf course. If the alpha key is pressed, the mode area 53 is changed to "CNIP" and the cursor moves to the "COURSE/PLAYER Name" area 52, which allows the user to input the name of the golf course through operation of the increase key 44, the decrease ke 46 and the "ENTER" key 45. After the input of the name of the golf course is finished, the alpha key 35 is pressed to return to the "DATA" mode. This is necessary because that the mode key 36 works only when the mode area 53 displays "DATA" or "SKIT" for alternatively select the course mode or player mode. The mode key 36 is then pressed to change the course mode to the player mode.

The "COURSE/PLAER" indicating area 51 will change form "C1" to "P1". Since only one golf course is utilized, it is not necessary to input another golf course's name.

After finishing input of the names of the four players and the name of the golf course where the four players intend to have a game, the four players can start to play golf. It should be noted that this data, with further information such as the par and distance of each hole of the golf course, also can be downloaded to the scoring device from a host computer installed in the golf club; this will be discussed in detail hereinafter.

During the golf contest, the result of each player for each hole is keyed into the score recorder by the use of the increase key 44, the ENTER" key 45 and the decrease key 46 as necessary. te that when the cursor is on the lower display section, the increase key 44 and the decrease key 46 represent arabic numerals (cycling from 0 to 99). Each depression of the increase key 44 or the decrease ke 46 causes the displayed value of the figure where the cursor is located to increase or decrease by one. At the first hole, for example, the first player takes two strokes to get from the tee to the green. The cursor will be initially located at the "STROKE" area 57. If the increase key 44 is pressed twice the cursor will display "2" on the "STROKE" area 57.The "ENTER" key 45 is then pressed and the datum is keyed into the scoring device and the cursor moves to the "PUTT" area 58. If the first player putts twice to putt the ball into the hole, then the increase key 44 is pressed twice and the "ENTER" key 45 is pressed once to input this datum. On each depression of the increase key 44 or the decrease key 46 for entering the putt datum of each player, the total score is immediately changed and displayed in the "TOTAL SCORE" area 59. Next, COUTRSE/PL4YER keys 32, 33. or 34 are pressed to record the stroke and putt data of the second, third or the fourth player.After completion of the 18-hole course, the score recorder is brought back to the host computer and the information is uploaded from the scoring device to the host computer and the total score of each player is printed out and the players are ranked.

When the stroke and putt data of all holes has been inputted, the mode area will display "DONE". A check key 42 is provided for quick checking of each datum of each player. In operation with the increase key 44 and the decrease key 46, a player's score for each hole can be quickly checked (the mode area 53 will change from "DONE" to ACHE'). Pressing of the "ENTER" key will cause the scoring device to leave the check mode and the mode area display to change from "SUCH" to "DONE". Another COURSE/PLAYER key (31, 32, 33 or 34) can then be pressed to check another player's score for each hole.If any data correction is required, the correction key 41 is pressed (the mode area 53 display will change from "SUCH" to "SCOR") to correct the "STROKE" or the "PUTT" through operation of the increase key 44, the decrease key 46 and the "ENTER" key 45. It should be noted that the data can be changed only when the correction key is depressed after the check key has been pressed. Nevertheless, if the clear correction key is inadvertently depressed when the user did not intend to change the data, then he may press the "ENTER" key 4D twice and the score recorder will return to the check mode.

Similarly, a quick check of the course data can be achieved by pressing the check key 42 when the scoring device is in the "DATA" mode (the mode area will change to "DCHK") . Pressing of the correction key 41 after pressing the check key 42 (the mode area 53 changes to "DCOR") will allow the user to correct the course data.

Furthermore, the scoring device 1 also provides a function for indicating the total yardage and total par of the golf course. For example, under the course mode (for example, the first course C1), pressing of the check key 42 (the mode area is changed to "DCHK") will cause the HOLE area 54 to display "1" showing the number of the first hole, the PAR area 55 to display the par of the first hole, the YARD area 56 to display the distance of the first hole, but the STROKE area 57 and the PUTT area 59 to display the total distance of the front nine holes of the first course C1 and the TOTAL SCORE area displays the total par of the front nine holes.Repeated pressing of the increase key 44 will cause the HOLE area 54, the PAR area 55 and the YARD area 55 to show the number, the par and the distance of each hole from the first hole to the ninth hole. When through the operation of the increase key 44 the data of the tenth hole is displayed on the lower display area 132, the PAR area 55 and the YARD area 56 ill display the par and the distance of the tenth hole, but the STROKE area 5 and the PUTT area 58 together will display the total distance of the rear nine holes of the first course C1 and the TOTAL SCORE area 59 will display the total par of the rear nine holes. Continuous pressing of the increase key 44 will allow the user to check the data of the rear nine holes of the first course C1. When the data of the eighteenth hole is checked, pressing the increase key 44 will cause the HOLE area 54 and the PAR area 55 together to display the total distance of the front nine holes of the first course C1 (as indicated by the mark "YARD/OUT" 61 under the HOLE and the PAR areas), the YARD area 56 to display the total distance of the rear nine holes of the first course C1 (as indicated by the mark "YARD/IN" 62 under the YARD area?, the STROKE and the PAR ares together to display the total distance of the eighteen holes of the first course C1 (as indicated by the mark "YARD/TTL-OUT-IN" 63 under the STROKE and the PUTT areas), the TOTAL SCORE area 59 to display the total par of the first course C1 (as indicated by the mark "PAR/TTL-OUT-IN" 64 under the TOTAL SCORE area 9). Therefore, the score recorder can indicate the total distance of the front nine holes, the rear nine holes and the full holes as ell as the total par of the eighteen holes.A further depression of the increase key 44 will cause the lower display area to display the data of the first hole of the first course C1 as described above.

A clear key 43 is provided to clear the data of the score recorder. For example, if the mode key 36 is under the second course mode C2, pressing of the clear key 43 will clear all the first course data. If the mode key 36 is pressed and the data of the third player is displayed on the display area 13, pressing of the clear key 43 will clear the third player data for the second course C2. When the clear key 43 is depressed, the display will display a warning for the user. If the user still wants to clear such data, then he may press the "ENTER" key again; otherwise, pressing of the clear key will return the scoring device to the check mode and the data will not be cleared.Furthermore, the clear key is effective only when the scoring device is data input mode (i.e., when the mode area displays "SKPT", "DATA" or "DONE"). Moreover, if the players are members of the first course C1, the score recorder can be pre-set to protect the first course data such that the the first course data will never be cleared even when the clear key is pressed.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the main units of the logic circuitry of the golf scoring device and the relationships between them.

The Central Processing Unit (CPU) 52 is a microcontroller and is the main processing unit cf the system. The Random Access Memory (RAM) 51 is used for storing data. The CPU 52 also has an on-chip RAM. To differentiate the two RAMs, the CPU's on-chip RAM will be referred to as the internal RAM and the RAM block 52 shown in Fid. 2 will be referred to as the external RAM. The Halt and Reset Control 53 initializes the CPU 52. The edge connector 11 is used to connect the golf scoring device 1 to a host computer. The Keypad 50 is used to input data to the golf scoring device 1 and the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) 54 is used for data display.

In the description which follows the CPU 52 will several times be described as reading from or writing to the external RAM 51. It is to be understood that whenever this reading from or writing to the external RAM 51 is referred to, the CPU 52 will each time put the relevant external RAM address on the 12-bit address bus 57 and select the external RAM 51 using the CE (Chip Enable) 56 line. If data is being read from the external RAM 51 the data will be put on the 8-bit data bus 58 and read by the CPU 52 when the WR (Write) 5 line is strobed. If data is being written to the external RAM 51 the CPU 52 will put the data on the data bus 58 and it will be stored in the external RAM 51 when the WR 55 line is strobed.This process for reading from or writing to the external RAM 51 using the WR 55 and C 56 lines is well known in the art; it will not be described in detail again. Any further reference to reading from or writing to the external RAM 51 should be taken to include all the steps described above.

When the golf scoring device 1 is turned on using the ON switch 38, the Halt and Reset Control 53 resets the CPU 52 and starts the CPU's initialization process.

This process will include initializing the external RAM 51 and the LCD Display 54 and starting the internal timer. This initialization process is well known in the art and will not be further described herein.

On initialization the CPU 52 starts a 100 second power-shut-off timer. Whenever any of the keys on the golf scoring device keyboard are depressed the powershut-off timer is reset. If 100 seconds pass without any of the kerbs on the keyboard being depressed the CPU 52 will save all current data to the external RAM 51, turn off the LCD Display 54, and enter its HALT state.

Operation will be resumed when the ON switch 38 is depressed. This automatic shut-off power-saving feature is well known in the art and will not be further described herein. The depression of the OFF key 37 has the same effect as letting the power-shutoff timer run out.

Before taking the golf scoring device 1 to the golf course the user must first input course and player data. This can be done from the keypad 50 of the golf scoring device 1 or more conveniently by downloading the data fro a host computer.

The golf scoring device 1 is connected to the host computer by inserting the edge connector 11 of the golf scoring device I into an interface card in one of the extension slots of the host computer. After the connection has been made the host computer will send an interrupt to the CPU 52. The CPU 52 will then save all the data in the internal RAM to the eternal RAM D 1 and write the message "LINE WITH HOST" to the LCD Display 54. The control (CNTL) line 59 between the CPU 52 and the edge connector 11 provides for hand-shaking between the host and the CPU 52. When the host computer is ready to download data it will signal the CPU 52.Since the size of the data to be downloaded will be the same every time, the external RAM 51 locations are assigned for particular data and will be used every time for storage of that data, i.e. there will be a block of external Ram space assigned for player 2 data and player 2 data will always be stored in that block.

Because of this the host computer does not need to dive the CPU 52 an address for the location in the external RAM 51 where the data is to be stored. The external Ram storage addresses and the address increments needed after each piece of data has been stored are written into the CPU software. When the host has written a piece of data to the external RAM 51 the CPU 52 will increment the external RAM address by the appropriate amount for the next piece of data.

On receipt of the base external RAN address from the host computer, the CPU 52 will put this address onto the 12-bit address bus 7 and write the message "DOWNLOAD FROM HOST" to the LCD Display 54. The host then writes the data directly onto the 8-bit data bus 58 and into the external RAM 51. The host first writes the course name, then the yard and par value of each hole, and finally the player names. When all the data has been downloaded the host uses the CNTL line 59 to signal the CPU 52 that it has finished. The CPU 52 will then write the message "COMPLETE LOADING" to the upper part of the LCD Display 54 and the message "POWER OFF & UNPLUG" to the lower part of the LCD Display 54.

The golf scoring device 1 can then be disconnected from the host computer.

On the golf course the user will input data using the keypad 50. If, for example, the user wants to input the stroke and putt data for player 2, the user will first depress the mode key 36 to enter the player mode, then depress the CP2 key 32 to select player 2 input, and then use the increase key 4t, the decrease key 46 and the ENTER key 45 to enter player 2's score.

At an time, all the current player's stroke and putt data for the current course and the yard and par data for the current hole on current course are stored in the internal RAN. All the non-current player data and non-current course data are stored in the external RAM 51. The player and course names, both current and non-current, are always kept in the external RAM 51.

The CPU 52 uses current player number, current course number and current hole number flags to identify the current player number, the current course number and the current hole number. The current player number flag will be updated whenever any of the course/player kerbs (31 to 34) are depressed while the golf scoring device is in player input mode. The current course number flag will be updated whenever any of the course/player keys (31 to 34) are depressed while the golf scoring device is in course input mode. The current hole number flag is updated when all the current player data for the current hole has been entered, or, since it is dependent on the current player number, whenever the current player number is changed.

When the mode key 36 is depressed to select the player mode the CPU 52 will write to the LCD Display 54 the current data for the current player at the current hole. When the CP2 key 32 is depressed the CPU 52 will update the current player number flag so that it corresponds to player 2. The CPU 52 will then read the stroke and putt data for the current player, now player 2, from the external RAM 51 and store it in the internal RAM. Next the CPU 52 will use the current player number flag to write the current player number, P2, to the LCD Display 54. Then the CPU 52 will use the current player number flag to locate and read the current player's name from the external RAM 51 and write it to the LCD Display 54.The CPU 52 will then write the mode message in this case 'SSiPT", to the LCD Display 54. The CPU 52 will next use the current hole number flag and the current course number flag to locate and read the yard and par data for the current hole from the internal RAM. The current player number and the current hole number are used by the the CPU 52 to find and read the current player's stroke and putt data from the internal RAM. The current player's stroke and putt values from the first hole to the current hole for the current course are then added up by the CPU 52 to give the current player's total score so far.The CPU 52 will then write to the lower line of the LCD display 54 the current hole number, the current hole's par and yardage data, the current player's stroke and putt data for the current hole, and the current player's total score to the current hole on the current course.

Having selected player input and player 2 usin the mode key 36 and CP2 key 32, the user will now use the increase key 4A, the decrease key 46 and the ENTER ke D to enter player 2's stroke and putt scores.

When the increase key t is depressed with the cursor of the LCD Display 54 at the stroke position, the CPU 52 uses the current hole flag to find and read the current player's stroke value at the current hole from the internal RAM. This is then incremented by one.

The new stroke value is then stored back into internal RAM. The current player's total score is then updated.

The CPU 52 writes the new stroke value at the current hole and the new total score to the LCD Display 54.

The decrease ke 46 operates similarly.

When the user has, by using the increase and decrease kes 44 and 46, selected the correct stroke value for the current player, the user depresses the ENTER key 45 to save this value. The CPU 52 then moves the cursor of the LCD Display 54 to the putt position. When the new putt score has been entered, the ENTER key 45 is depressed again. This time the CPU increments the current hole flag b 1, moves the cursor of the LCD Display 54 back to the stroke position, and updates the second line of the LCD Display 54 to display the information for the new current hole. When the ENTER key 45 has been used to enter the putt information for the eighteenth hole, the CPU 52 will write the message "DONE" to the mode message position on the upper line of the LCD Display 54.

After finishing the game of golf the user can upload the scores for the game to the host computer for processing. When the golf scoring device 1 has been connected to the host computer, the host will send an interrupt to the CPU 52 and the CPU 52 will save all the data in the internal RAM to the external RAM 51 and then write the message "LINK ITH HOST" to the LCD Display 54. The host will signal the CPU 52 that it wants to start uploading data. The CPU 52 will then put the address of the data to be read onto the 12-bit address bus 7 and write the message "UPLOAD TO HOST" to the LCD Display 54. The host then reads the data directly from the external RAM 51. The host first reads the player names and then the stroke and putt data for each player. As the host reads the data the CPU 52 will increment the external RAM address. When all the data has been uploaded the host uses the CNTL line 59 to signal the CPU 52 that it has finished. The CPU 52 then writes the message "COMPLETE LOADING" to the upper part of the LCD Display 54 and the message "POWER OFF & UNPLUG" to the lower part of the LCD Display 54. The golf scoring device 1 can then be disconnected from the host computer.

The present invention also provides a method for scoring a golf game for at least one player in a golf course using a host computer, a first software and a scoring device having a second software. Please refer to Fig. 4. For example, four golf players carrying a scoring device with them enter a golf club equipped with a host computer. The host computer (HC) is provided with a first software stored in a floppy dis or the like which can be utilized to detect connection between the host computer and an interface (I) insertable into an estension slot of the host computer (HC). The interface (I) has a slot engageable with the wedge connector 11 of the scoring device 1 which makes possible the connection of the scoring device 1 and the host computer (HC).

Please refer to Figs. 4 and 6. Firstly, the scoring device is linked to the host computer (HG) via the interface (I). Then, before the golf game (see (a) of Fig. 4), the constant parameter (CP) which includes the name of the golf course, the par and distance of each hole of the golf course and the name of each player is downloaded from the host computer into the scoring device 1 by means of the first software. The players may, after disconnecting the scoring device 1 from the host computer (HC), carry the scoring device with them and do to the golf course to start a game.

During the golf game, as mentioned above, the variable parameter (VP) which includes the score of each hole of the game for each player is inputted into the scoring device 1 (see (b) of Fig. t). After the game, the players take the scoring device 1 back to the golf club and link it with the host computer (HC) via the interface (I). The variable parameter (VP) can then be uploaded from the scoring device 1 into the host computer (HC) by means of the first software (see (c) of Fig. 4). The host computer (HC) is so programmed that when step (c) is finished the constant parameter (CP) and the variable parameter (VP) are stored into an external memory device (EMD) , such as a floppy disc or a hard disc or the like, by means of the first software (see (d) of Fig. 4).

A list of the scores of each player can be printed out as required. The golf players can also be ranked according to their total scores . This ranking can be printed and stored the result into an external memory device.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 7, another method for scoring a golf game for at least one player in a golf course using a host computer (HC) and a scoring device 1 according to the present invention is illustrated.

When the players are eager to start a game and do not want to wait to load the golf course data into the scoring device, they may go directly to the golf course and start the game. They must manually input the name of each player (CP') into the scoring device 1 before the golf game (see (a) of Fig. 5). Then, during the game, the above-mentioned variable parameter (VP) is inputted into the scoring device 1 (see (b) of Fig. 5).

After the game, the players take the scoring device 1 to the golf club and link it with the host computer (HC) via the interface (I). Then, the name of the golf course, the name of each the player and the score of each player for each hole of the golf game (CP") is uploaded from the scoring device 1 into the host computer (HC) by means of the first software. As mentioned in the above, the host computer (HC) is so programmed that after step (c) is finished the name of the golf course, the par and distance of each hole of the golf course (CP"), the name of each player (CP' and the score of each player for each hole of the game of each player (VP) are stored into an external memory device (EMD) by means of the first software.

Similarly, a list of the scores of each player can be printed out for record as required. Furthermore, the golf players can all be ranked according to their total scores and the ranking can be printed out and stored into an external memory device.

From the above description it is can be seen that the present invention provides a convenient scorin device with computer link-up capability for golf players which has not been disclosed before.

While the present invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that various modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this specification. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention disclosed herein is intended to cover all such modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (14)

CLAIMS:

1. A method for scoring a golf game for at least one player in a golf course using a host computer, a first software and a scoring device having a second software comprising the steps of: (a) inputting the name of said golf course, the par and distance of each hole of said golf course and name of each said player from said host computer into said scoring device by means of said first software before said golf game; (b) inputting the score of each said player for each said hole of said game into said scoring device during said golf game; (c) loading the name of each said player and the score of each said player for each.said hole of said game from said scoring device into said host computer by means of said first software after said golf game; wherein (d) said host computer is so programmed that when said step (c) is finished, the name of said golf course, the par and distance of each hole of said golf course, the name of each said player and the score of each said player for each said hole of said game are stored into an external memory device by means of said first software.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising printing out a list of the score of each said player.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising calculating a total score from a first hole to a last hole of said golf game of each said player by said scoring device, displaying said total score on said scoring device and storing said total score of each said player into said scoring device after inputting the score of said last hole by means of said second software.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3 further comprising ranking all of said golf players according to the respective total score of each said golf player and printing out the result of said ranking and storing said result into an external memory device.

5. A method for scoring a golf game for at least one player in a golf course using a host computer and a scoring device comprising the steps of: (a) inputting the name of each said player into said scoring device before said golf game; (b) inputting the score of each said player for each said hole of said game into said scoring device during said golf game; (c) loading the name of each said player and the score of each said player for each said hole of said golf game from said scoring device into said host computer by means of said first software; wherein (d) said host computer is so programmed that after said step (c) is finished, the name of said golf course, the par and distance of each hole of said golf course, the name of each said player and the score of each said player for each said hole of said game are stored into an external memory device by means of said first software.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5, further comprising printing out a list of the score of each said player.

7. A method as claimed in claim 5 further comprising calculating a total score from a first hole to a last hole of said golf game of each said player by said scoring device, displaying said total score on said scoring device and storing said total score of each said player into said scoring device after inputting the score of said last hole by means of said second software.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7 further comprising ranking all of said golf players according to the respective total score of each said player and printing out the result of said ranking and storing said result into an external memory device.

9. A device for scoring a golf game for at least one player in a golf course in association with a host computer through an interface, said interface having a first connecting end for connection with a connecting end of said host computer and a second connecting end for connecting with a connecting end of said scoring device and making possible the connection of said host computer and said scoring device, said scoring device comprising:: input means for inputting the name of said golf course, the par and the distance of each hole of said golf course, the name of each said player and the score of each hole of said golf game of each said player; memory means for storing the par and the distance of each hole of said golf course, the name of said golf course, the name of each said player and the score of each said player for each hole of said golf game; display means for displaying the par and distance of each hole of said golf course, the total distance of the front nine holes of said golf course, the total distance of the rear nine holes of said golf course, the total distance and total par of the eighteen holes of said golf course, the name of said golf course, the name of each said golf player, the score of each player for each hole of said golf game and the total score of each said player; and control means which is so programmed as to allow said host computer to load the par and the distance of each hole of said golf course, the name of said golf course and the name of each said player to said memory means when said scoring device is linked with said host computer via said interface before playing said golf game, and to allow said host computer to read the name of each said player and the score of each said player for each hole of said golf game from said memory means when said scoring device is lined with said host computer after said golf game.

10. A device as claimed in claim 9 further comprising checking means for checking the corresponding data of said golf course and said golf game.

11. A device as claimed in claim 10 further comprising correcting means for the correction of the corresponding data of said golf course and said golf game, said correcting means performing said correction only when said checking means is actuated.

12. A device as claimed in claim 9 further comprising clearing means for clearing the corresponding data of said golf course and said golf game of one of said players.

13. A method of scoring a golf game substantially as described herein by reference to the figures.

14. A device for scoring a golf game substantially as described herein by reference to the figures.