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Golf hole audio guide (ghag)Related Patent Categories: Games Using Tangible Projectile, GolfGolf hole audio guide (ghag) description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060046860, Golf hole audio guide (ghag). Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/605,406, filed Aug. 27, 2004. The disclosure of this provisional application is incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention is directed to managing play on a golf course. There have been many different improvements in the industry that address assisting golfers in navigating each hole played on a golf course. For example, golf course tee box signs and scorecards provide yardages, hazards, etc., that visiting golfers may find difficult to interpret. More specifically, the present invention is directed to providing an audio and/or a video description in proximity to the tee of each hole that enhances or replaces the usual tee box sign to clarify and supplement the information presented. Golfers, prior to playing the hole, may activate the present invention to receive a narrative description, optionally with video corresponding thereto, pointing out strategies in playing the hole. BACKGROUND [0003] Golf continues to increase in popularity each and every year. The millions of dollars being spent on equipment and course fees is staggering and there appears to be no end in sight. As new golfers join this sport, golf courses are recognizing the need for golfing aids that assist new golfers as well as current players that want to lower their scores. Therefore, golf related companies, which include the courses themselves, need innovative ideas to manage this prosperous market. In addition, there is a need for devices and methods that speed up play, thus permitting more rounds of golf per day and increasing the profitability of the course and enhancing the pleasure of the individual golfers. [0004] Almost every golf publication has at least one article monthly concerning slow play on golf courses. This issue continues to impede the growth of the sport, particularly in an environment where a person's time is considered to be one of the most valuable commodities of life. Golf must address slow play to maintain and add new participants. Golf course managers understands how significantly slow play affects revenue, as fewer rounds played means less revenue generated. Although slow play may not have a single cause, anything that increases the pace of play is welcomed by the industry. [0005] All golfers have witnessed unnecessary, time consuming, review of a course by fellow golfers. These delays may stem from studying current aids, such as the pictured golf hole (both on the scorecard and tee box), or a long explanation being given by a fellow golfer within the group. A more extreme instance may include a visiting golfer driving a golf cart far beyond the tee box to observe the hole and attempt to better understand how the pictured hazards (water, wetlands, etc.) on the scorecard and/or tee box sign will affect the tee shot. [0006] Many golfers ponder and ask questions of more experienced fellow golfers about different aspects of the hole about to be played. Most players review/study visual representations of the upcoming hole, whether present on a scorecard, on a sign adjacent to the tee box, or on a hole layout booklet provided by the golf course. Nonetheless, there is a need to provide a concise explanation prior to playing a hole from an experienced golfer, such as, without limitation, a club professional. This may alleviate an explanation by a less experienced golfer that has left out relevant information such as in match play. SUMMARY [0007] The present invention is directed to a golf course audio device adapted to provide an audible message upon selective activation. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a device and method of providing graphical and/or audible information on playing one or more holes on a golf course. It is envisioned that the device in accordance with the present invention be positioned on or near a golf course hole sign. An exemplary device in accordance with the present invention may be self-contained to include a power source and be user friendly. [0008] An exemplary device in accordance with the present invention, commonly referred to as a Golf Hole Audio Guide (GHAG), includes a selectively activated an audible message providing information relating to and supplementing graphical information displayed on golf course signage and printed materials (i.e., scorecards, etc). GHAG is operative to provide any golfer with information pertaining to each hole on a golf course such as, without limitation, how to play each hole on the golf course. This includes, but is not limited to, how to hit the proper tee shot, the proper yardage, the pin placement, and the distance to certain hazards such as green side bunkers or water hazards. Golfers are commonly aware that some hazards are hidden or may play considerably longer or shorter with holes having elevated greens, tree lined fairways, and high wind areas. In sum, GHAG decreases the amount of time golfers review the course layout and facilitates prompt play. [0009] GHAG may include audio circuitry and a memory for storing the audible message. Exemplary forms of memory include one-time programmable memory that may store and recover the audible message digitally prior to playback and be erased and reprogrammed repeatedly. The memory may be preprogrammed to include the audible message or include an on-demand feature for supplementing or displacing the preprogrammed information. Certain embodiments may include a microphone, recorder, and memory operatively associated together. The recorder is operative to record an audible message received by the microphone and store the message in memory and, in an exemplary form, does so without modifying the preprogrammed audible message. GHAG may also include integrated touch audio chips that include dedicated audio circuitry on an integrated circuit that may provide substantially all audio storage and recovery functions. Touch audio chips may further incorporate an actuator on the integrated circuit to trigger playback of the stored audible message. In addition, tactile information may be provided on the actuator, where playback of the audible message occurs when the actuator is activated. [0010] GHAG enables the management of the golf course to choose the content and how frequently the content of the audible message is amended. The information comprising the message might be updated only when the staff makes permanent topography changes (such as adding a tee box or sand trap) or on a daily/weekly basis corresponding to yardage variations and current conditions (such as greens slow/fast). [0011] Accordingly, it is a first aspect of the present invention is to provide an audible message for clarifying the preexisting graphical information regarding golf course layout and tips for playing one or more holes on the course. [0012] It is a second aspect of the present invention to provide an audio circuitry associated with an information dissemination device that is adapted to store and recover audible information regarding golf course layout and tips for playing one or more holes on the course. [0013] It is a third aspect of the present invention to provide an audible speaker operatively coupled to audio circuitry and positioned on or near a golf course hole sign to selectively provide information regarding golf course layout and tips for playing one or more holes on the course. [0014] It is a fourth aspect of the present invention to selectively disseminate relevant information regarding strategy for playing one or more holes on a golf course, where the information is disseminated in response to a golfer actuating an actuator communicatively connected to a playback device to provide an audible message. [0015] It is a fifth aspect of the present invention to provide a self-contained device capable of being selectively actuated to provide an audible message regarding golf course layout and tips for playing one or more holes on the course, where the device is retrofitted onto or into golf course signage. [0016] It is a sixth aspect of the present invention to provide a self-contained device capable of being selectively actuated to provide an audible and visual information message regarding golf course layout and tips for playing one or more holes on the course, where the device is retrofitted onto or into golf course signage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017] FIG. 1 is a frontal view of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [0018] FIG. 2 is a frontal view of an exemplary golf course hole sign that incorporates the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1; [0019] FIG. 3 is a frontal view of an exemplary golf course hole sign mounted adjacent to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1; Continue reading about Golf hole audio guide (ghag)... Full patent description for Golf hole audio guide (ghag) Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Golf hole audio guide (ghag) 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. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Golf hole audio guide (ghag) or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Torsional coupling Next Patent Application: Infrared sensing launch monitor Industry Class: Games using tangible projectile ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Golf hole audio guide (ghag) patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.7719 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Electronics: Semiconductor , Audio , Illumination , Connectors , Crypto , 174 |
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