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Golf course monitoring system and methodGolf course monitoring system and method description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080045349, Golf course monitoring system and method. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND [0001]The present invention relates to a golf course monitoring system. The present invention more specifically relates to a golf course monitoring system including a display unit and a camera unit to assist golfers to see non-viewable areas of the golf course. [0002]On typical golf courses, there are many instances where a golfer cannot see areas where his or her golf ball is likely to land. Such "blind spots" may be caused by the layout or contour of the course, trees, shrubs, hills, buildings, or other obstacles. As such, golfers will sometimes hit when they believe the area should be clear without verifying that it is. However, such a result is not safe and poor etiquette--very undesired activities to other golf course operators and other golfers. The prudent golfer advances (walks, rides cart) up the golf hole to inspect the blind spot to see whether it is safe to hit, returns to the location of his or her ball when it is safe to hit, and then hits. Such activity slows down play--an undesired result to most golf course operators--and is not infallible since a person could have moved into the blind spot area during the time that the golfer was returning to his or her ball. [0003]Typical golf courses also have several holes where important variables are not visible from a possible or likely hitting location such as a tee-box or other location. For example, pin placement is typically moved daily or every few days. If the pin placement is not visible from a typical hitting location, many golfers will advance up the hole, inspect the green, and then return to his or her ball and then hit. However, such conduct also slows down play. [0004]Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a system for monitoring or viewing portions of a golf course such as fairways, greens, or pin placements that are not viewable from where a golfer will hit from. It would also be advantageous to provide a system that provides picture or video images on a stationary display unit, on a display mounted in a golf cart, on a hand-held device, or the like. It would be desirable to provide for a golf course visual monitoring system having one or more of these or other advantageous features. [0005]To provide an inexpensive, reliable, and widely adaptable golf course monitoring system that avoids the above-referenced and other problems would represent a significant advance in the art. SUMMARY [0006]The present invention relates to a method of monitoring an area of a golf course. The method comprises providing a display unit at a location on the golf course where a first golfer is likely to hit from. The display unit comprising a display, a wireless signal receiver, a switch, and a first photovoltaic power source. The method further comprises powering the display and receiver with the first photovoltaic power source and providing a camera unit directed at an area of the golf course not visible to the golfer located in the likely hitting location. The camera unit comprising a camera, a wireless signal transmitter, and a second photovoltaic power source. The method further comprises powering the camera and transmitter with the second photovoltaic power source; transmitting wireless signals received from the camera to the receiver; the golfer activating the display by operating a switch; displaying an image on the display of the area not visible to the golfer. [0007]The present invention also relates to a golf course monitoring system comprising a display unit comprising a display, a wireless signal receiver coupled to the display and a photovoltaic power source configured to provide power to the display and the receiver; and a camera unit comprising a camera, a wireless signal transmitter coupled to the camera and a photovoltaic cell for providing power to the camera and the transmitter. The transmitter is configured to transmit a wireless signal from the camera representative of a visual status of a portion of a golf course to the receiver to be displayed on the display. [0008]The present invention further relates to a golf course monitoring system comprising a display unit and a camera unit. The display unit comprises a display, a wireless signal receiver coupled to the display, a switch configured to turn the display on, a timer configured to turn the display off after a predetermined amount of time after actuation of the switch, and a photovoltaic power source configured to provide power to the display and the receiver. The camera unit comprises a camera, a wireless signal transmitter coupled to the camera and a photovoltaic cell for providing power to the camera and the transmitter. The transmitter transmits a wireless signal from the camera representative of a visual status of a portion of a golf course to the receiver to be displayed on the display. [0009]The present invention further relates to various features and combinations of features shown and described in the disclosed embodiments. Other ways in which the objects and features of the disclosed embodiments are accomplished will be described in the following specification or will become apparent to those skilled in the art after they have read this specification. Such other ways are deemed to fall within the scope of the disclosed embodiments if they fall within the scope of the claims which follow. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010]FIG. 1 is a display unit for a golf course monitoring system according to an exemplary embodiment. [0011]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the display unit of FIG. 1. [0012]FIG. 3 is a camera unit for the golf course monitoring system. [0013]FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the camera unit of FIG. 1. [0014]FIGS. 5-7 are schematic views of exemplary applications of the golf course monitoring system. [0015]FIGS. 8 and 9 are schematic illustrations of potential applications for the monitoring system. [0016]FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a method of monitoring a golf course according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS [0017]FIGS. 1 and 3 show a golf course monitoring system 10 according to a preferred embodiment. Golf course monitoring system 10 includes a display unit 12 configured to display a visual status of an area (e.g., region, etc.) of a golf course "visual status" based on wireless signals received from a camera unit 14. According to exemplary embodiments, "visual status" and "area" on a golf course may be any of a variety of locations, conditions, or the like on the golf course. For example, the visual status may be a real-time or prior still image of the portion of the golf course. The visual status may also be a real-time or prior video image of the portion of the golf course. The visual status may also be an image of a green, blind area, predetermined distance, or combination thereof. Visual status may also be an indicator or alarm that associated with certain conditions such as clear, no movement, etc. [0018]Referring to FIG. 1, display unit 12 includes a display 16, a wireless signal receiver 18 coupled to display 16, a switch 26, and a photovoltaic power source (shown as photovoltaic system 22). [0019]Display 16 is configured to display an image or other information indicative or representative of a particular area of the golf course. Display 16 may be any of a variety of commercially available monitors or closed-circuit televisions that display color or black and white (monochrome) images (e.g., NTSF analog monitor digital, etc.). According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the display is model number SR06401PS3-FDR commercially available from Peter Parts of Ontario, N.Y. [0020]According to an exemplary embodiment, display 16 may be used to provide information content to golfers. Information content may be images, sound, and/or video containing advertisement, golf course information (e.g. suggested strategy, menu, etc.), weather advisories, messages, announcements, or other information or combinations thereof. Such information content may be displayed periodically or cycle through continuously, and be interrupted to display the image on the display of the area not visible to the golfer when the golfer activates the switch 26. Continue reading about Golf course monitoring system and method... Full patent description for Golf course monitoring system and method Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Golf course monitoring system and method patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. 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