US20260151685A1
GOLF INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM
Publication
Application
Classifications
IPC Classifications
CPC Classifications
Applicants
Textron Inc.
Inventors
Trevor Douglas Roebuck, Ricky Veldee Kemp, Baily Guyton Wood, Charles Daniel Dauchess
Abstract
A golf infotainment system one or more sensors, a display device, and one or more processing circuits. At least one sensor of the one or more sensors is configured to be positioned on a golf course. The one or more processing circuits are configured to communicably couple with the one or more sensors and the display device. The one or more processing circuits are also configured to receive an initiation of a golf session from a golfer, monitor, via the one or more sensors, a performance of the golfer during the golf session, and provide, via the display device, feedback based on the performance of the golfer.
Figures
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001]Although the game of golf has seen a general decline in popularity, the sport has been attracting new players and fans with the rising popularity of celebrity golfers. Many of the new players and fans, however, are interested in technological advancements to the game of golf.
SUMMARY
[0002]One embodiment relates to a golf infotainment system. The golf infotainment system includes one or more sensors, a display device, and one or more processing circuits. At least one sensor of the one or more sensors is configured to be positioned on a golf course. The one or more processing circuits are configured to communicably couple with the one or more sensors and the display device. The one or more processing circuits are also configured to receive an initiation of a golf session from a golfer, monitor, via the one or more sensors, a performance of the golfer during the golf session, and provide, via the display device, feedback based on the performance of the golfer.
[0003]Another embodiment relates to a golf infotainment system for a golf course. The golf infotainment system includes a first plurality of sensors configured to be positioned about the golf course, a second plurality of sensors configured to be positioned on at least one of golf balls, golf carts, or golf clubs used on the golf course, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon. The instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to receive an initiation of a golf session from a golfer where the golf session includes a round of golf at the golf course, monitor, via the first plurality of sensors and the second plurality of sensors, a performance of the golfer during the golf session, and at least one of (a) store the performance for future reference or (b) transmit the performance to a golf simulator in real-time.
[0004]Still another embodiment relates to a golf infotainment system for a golf course. The golf infotainment system includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon. The instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to receive an initiation of a golf session from a first golfer, monitor, via one or more sensors, a first performance of the first golfer during the golf session, and provide, via a display device, feedback based on the performance of the first golfer. The initiation of the golf session includes at least one of (a) a request for instruction or (b) an initiation of a competition between the first golfer and a second golfer during the golf session. The feedback includes at least one of an instruction for improving the first performance of the first golfer in response to the request for instruction, or a determination of a winner in response to the initiation of the competition between the first golfer and the second golfer.
[0005]This summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the devices or processes described herein will become apparent in the detailed description set forth herein, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006]
[0007]
[0008]
[0009]
[0010]
[0011]
[0012]
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014]Before turning to the figures, which illustrate certain exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.
Overall Vehicle
[0015]As shown in
[0016]According to an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle 10 is an off-road machine or vehicle. In some embodiments, the off-road machine or vehicle is a lightweight or recreational machine or vehicle such as a golf cart or vehicle, an all-terrain vehicle (“ATV”), a utility task vehicle (“UTV”), a low speed vehicle (“LSV”), a personal transport vehicle (“PTV”), and/or another type of lightweight or recreational machine or vehicle. In some embodiments, the off-road machine or vehicle is a chore product such as a lawnmower, a turf mower, a push mower, a ride-on mower, a stand-on mower, aerator, turf sprayers, bunker rake, and/or another type of chore product (e.g., that may be used on a golf course).
[0017]According to the exemplary embodiment shown in
[0018]According to an exemplary embodiment, the operator controls 40 are configured to provide an operator with the ability to control one or more functions of and/or provide commands to the vehicle 10 and the components thereof (e.g., turn on, turn off, drive, turn, brake, engage various operating modes, raise/lower an implement, etc.). As shown in
[0019]According to an exemplary embodiment, the driveline 50 is configured to propel the vehicle 10. As shown in
[0020]According to an exemplary embodiment, the prime mover 52 is configured to provide power to drive the rear tractive assembly 56 and/or the front tractive assembly 58 (e.g., to provide front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, and/or all-wheel drive operations). In some embodiments, the driveline 50 includes a transmission device (e.g., a gearbox, a continuous variable transmission (“CVT”), etc.) positioned between (a) the prime mover 52 and (b) the rear tractive assembly 56 and/or the front tractive assembly 58. The rear tractive assembly 56 and/or the front tractive assembly 58 may include a drive shaft, a differential, and/or an axle. In some embodiments, the rear tractive assembly 56 and/or the front tractive assembly 58 include two axles or a tandem axle arrangement. In some embodiments, the rear tractive assembly 56 and/or the front tractive assembly 58 are steerable (e.g., using the steering wheel 42). In some embodiments, both the rear tractive assembly 56 and the front tractive assembly 58 are fixed and not steerable (e.g., employ skid steer operations).
[0021]In some embodiments, the driveline 50 includes a plurality of prime movers 52. By way of example, the driveline 50 may include a first prime mover 52 that drives the rear tractive assembly 56 and a second prime mover 52 that drives the front tractive assembly 58. By way of another example, the driveline 50 may include a first prime mover 52 that drives a first one of the front tractive elements, a second prime mover 52 that drives a second one of the front tractive elements, a third prime mover 52 that drives a first one of the rear tractive elements, and/or a fourth prime mover 52 that drives a second one of the rear tractive elements. By way of still another example, the driveline 50 may include a first prime mover 52 that drives the front tractive assembly 58, a second prime mover 52 that drives a first one of the rear tractive elements, and a third prime mover 52 that drives a second one of the rear tractive elements. By way of yet another example, the driveline 50 may include a first prime mover 52 that drives the rear tractive assembly 56, a second prime mover 52 that drives a first one of the front tractive elements, and a third prime mover 52 that drives a second one of the front tractive elements.
[0022]According to an exemplary embodiment, the suspension system 60 includes one or more suspension components (e.g., shocks, dampers, springs, etc.) positioned between the frame 12 and one or more components (e.g., tractive elements, axles, etc.) of the rear tractive assembly 56 and/or the front tractive assembly 58. In some embodiments, the vehicle 10 does not include the suspension system 60.
[0023]According to an exemplary embodiment, the braking system 70 includes one or more braking components (e.g., disc brakes, drum brakes, in-board brakes, axle brakes, etc.) positioned to facilitate selectively braking one or more components of the driveline 50. In some embodiments, the one or more braking components include (i) one or more front braking components positioned to facilitate braking one or more components of the front tractive assembly 58 (e.g., the front axle, the front tractive elements, etc.) and (ii) one or more rear braking components positioned to facilitate braking one or more components of the rear tractive assembly 56 (e.g., the rear axle, the rear tractive elements, etc.). In some embodiments, the one or more braking components include only the one or more front braking components. In some embodiments, the one or more braking components include only the one or more rear braking components. In some embodiments, the one or more front braking components include two front braking components, one positioned to facilitate braking each of the front tractive elements. In some embodiments, the one or more rear braking components include two rear braking components, one positioned to facilitate braking each of the rear tractive elements. In some embodiments, electric regenerative braking is employed (e.g., via the prime mover 52, an electric motor, etc.) in combination with or instead of using the braking system 70 to facilitate braking of one or more components of the driveline 50.
[0024]The sensors 90 may include various sensors positioned about the vehicle 10 to acquire vehicle information or vehicle data regarding operation of the vehicle 10 and/or the location thereof. By way of example, the sensors 90 may include an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a compass, a position sensor (e.g., a GPS sensor, etc.), an inertial measurement unit (“IMU”), suspension sensor(s), wheel sensors, an audio sensor or microphone, a camera, an optical sensor, a proximity detection sensor, a Doppler sensor, and/or other sensors to facilitate acquiring vehicle information or vehicle data regarding operation of the vehicle 10 and/or the location thereof. According to an exemplary embodiment, one or more of the sensors 90 are configured to facilitate detecting and obtaining vehicle telemetry data including position of the vehicle 10, whether the vehicle 10 is moving, travel direction of the vehicle 10, slope of the vehicle 10, speed of the vehicle 10, vibrations experienced by the vehicle 10, sounds proximate the vehicle 10, suspension travel of components of the suspension system 60, and/or other vehicle telemetry data.
[0025]The vehicle control system 100 may be implemented as a general-purpose processor, an application specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”), one or more field programmable gate arrays (“FPGAs”), a digital-signal-processor (“DSP”), circuits containing one or more processing components, circuitry for supporting a microprocessor, a group of processing components, or other suitable electronic processing components. According to the exemplary embodiment shown in
[0026]In one embodiment, the vehicle control system 100 is configured to selectively engage, selectively disengage, control, or otherwise communicate with components of the vehicle 10 (e.g., via the communications interface 106, a controller area network (“CAN”) bus, etc.). According to an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle control system 100 is coupled to (e.g., communicably coupled to) components of the operator controls 40 (e.g., the steering wheel 42, the accelerator 44, the brake 46, the operator interface 48, etc.), components of the driveline 50 (e.g., the prime mover 52), components of the braking system 70, and the sensors 90. By way of example, the vehicle control system 100 may send and receive signals (e.g., control signals, location signals, etc.) with the components of the operator controls 40, the components of the driveline 50, the components of the braking system 70, the sensors 90, and/or remote systems or devices (via the communications interface 106 as described in greater detail herein).
Electrified Driveline
[0027]According to the exemplary embodiments shown in
[0028]According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the battery module 57 and the add-on battery module(s) 59 of the battery system includes one or more rows and/or groups of battery cells. The BMS 112 may be configured to monitor characteristics of the rows and/or groups of battery cells and/or individual cells of the battery module 57 and the add-on battery module(s) 59 (e.g., using data acquired by the BMS sensor 116) including, but not limited to, voltage, temperature, current, and state of charge (“SOC”). The BMS 112 may also be configured to provide direct current (“DC”) power from the battery system to the motor controller 110 to power the motor 53 based on driving demands of the vehicle 10.
[0029]According to an exemplary embodiment, the motor controller 110 is configured to manage the power supplied to the motor 53. By way of example, the motor controller 110 may be configured to modulate the voltage, current, phase, and/or frequency of the power sent to the motor windings 55, which can influence the torque and speed output provided by the motor 53. In some embodiments, the motor controller 110 is configured to control a type of power, AC power or DC power, delivered to the motor 53. By way of example, the motor controller 110 may be configured to convert the type of power from DC power to AC power and/or regulate the AC power or DC power depending on the intended function of the motor 53. The motor controller 110 may include components to invert, convert, or otherwise modulate DC power and/or AC power.
[0030]As shown in
[0031]According to an exemplary embodiment, the BMS 112 is configured to monitor (e.g., continuously, periodically, etc.) various parameters of the energy storage 54, including voltage, current, and temperature of each cell, rows/groups, and/or module within the energy storage 54. In some embodiments, the BMS 112 is configured to calculate or otherwise determine the SOC of the energy storage 54, the battery module 57, and/or the add-on battery module(s) 59. In some embodiments, the BMS 112 is configured to redistribute charge among the cells, rows/groups, and/or the modules to ensure an equal or substantially equal charge level throughout the energy storage 54. The BMS 112 can communicate with other systems or components of the vehicle 10 or with external devices (e.g., the remote systems 240) to report on battery status and diagnostics and/or to receive control commands.
[0032]According to an exemplary embodiment, the BMS 112 is configured to detect faults or failures in the energy storage 54 that may potentially lead to or that have caused an overcharge condition and, thereby, a thermal runaway event. By way of example, the BMS 112 may be configured to monitor the voltage of individual cells, rows/groups, or modules of the energy storage 54, and when deviations from normal voltage levels occur beyond a nominal range, the BMS 112 may determine that a fault or failure is present and that there is a potential for an overcharge condition or that there is an actual overcharge condition. In some implementations, the BMS 112 is configured to detect voltage imbalance or voltage imbalance trends. By way of another example, the BMS 112 may additionally or alternatively be configured to monitor current flows during charging and discharging of the energy storage 54 and identify unexpected fluctuations in current that may indicate that a fault or failure is present and that there is a potential for an overcharge condition or that there is an actual overcharge condition. By way of still another example, the BMS 112 may additionally or alternatively be configured to monitor the temperature of the cells, rows/groups, and/or modules of the energy storage 54 and identify anomalously high temperatures that may indicate that a fault or failure is present and that there is a potential for an overcharge condition or that there is an actual overcharge condition. It should be understood that the above example of detecting faults, failures, or overcharge conditions is provided for example purposes only and is not exhaustive. Other methods or techniques may be implemented to detect faults, failures, or overcharge conditions, which are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. Additional details regarding fault detection regarding the energy storage 54 is described in greater detail herein. Further details regarding fault detection, including voltage imbalance, may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/884,363, filed Sep. 13, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Golf Infotainment System
[0033]As shown in
[0034]The user sensors 220 may be or include one or more sensors that are carried by or worn by an operator of one of the vehicles 10. By way of example, the user sensors 220 may be or include a wearable sensor (e.g., a smartwatch, a fitness tracker, a pedometer, a heart rate monitor, etc.) and/or a sensor that is otherwise carried by the operator (e.g., a smartphone, etc.) that facilitates acquiring and monitoring operator data (e.g., physiological conditions such a temperature, heartrate, breathing patterns, etc. ; location; movement; etc.) regarding the operator. The user sensors 220 may communicate directly with the vehicles 10, directly with the remote systems 240, and/or indirectly with the remote systems 240 (e.g., through the vehicles 10 as an intermediary).
[0035]The user portal 230 may be configured to facilitate operator access to dashboards including the vehicle data, the operator data, information available at the remote systems 240, etc. to manage and operate the site (e.g., golf course) such as for advanced scheduling purposes, to identify persons breaking course guidelines or rules, to monitor locations of the vehicles 10, etc. The user portal 230 may also be configured to facilitate operator implementation of configurations and/or parameters for the vehicles 10 and/or the site (e.g., setting speed limits, setting geofences, etc.). As shown in
[0036]As shown in
[0037]According to an exemplary embodiment, the remote systems 240 (e.g., the off-site server 250 and/or the on-site system 260) are configured to communicate with the vehicles 10 and/or the user sensors 220 via the communications network 210. By way of example, the remote systems 240 may receive the vehicle data from the vehicles 10 and/or the operator data from the user sensors 220. The remote systems 240 may be configured to perform back-end processing of the vehicle data and/or the operator data. The remote systems 240 may be configured to monitor various global positioning system (“GPS”) information and/or real-time kinematics (“RTK”) information (e.g., position/location, speed, direction of travel, geofence related information, etc.) regarding the vehicles 10 and/or the user sensors 220. The remote systems 240 may be configured to transmit information, data, commands, and/or instructions to the vehicles 10 and/or the golf simulator(s) 310. By way of example, the remote systems 240 may be configured to transmit GPS data and/or RTK data based on the GPS information and/or RTK information to the vehicles 10 (e.g., which the vehicle control systems 100 may use to make control decisions). By way of another example, the remote systems 240 may send commands or instructions to the vehicles 10 to implement.
[0038]According to an exemplary embodiment, the remote systems 240 (e.g., the off-site server 250 and/or the on-site system 260) are configured to communicate with the user portal 230 via the communications network 210. By way of example, the user portal 230 may facilitate (a) accessing the remote systems 240 to access data regarding the vehicles 10 and/or the operators thereof and/or (b) configuring or setting operating parameters for the vehicles 10 (e.g., geofences, speed limits, times of use, permitted operators, etc.). Such operating parameters may be propagated to the vehicles 10 by the remote systems 240 (e.g., as updates to settings) and/or used for real time control of the vehicles 10 by the remote systems 240.
[0039]According to an exemplary embodiment, the golf infotainment system 200, including the vehicle control system 100, the user sensors 220, the user portal 230, the golf simulator(s) 310, and the remote systems 240, is configured to facilitate implementing a golf infotainment system associated with a golf course. Further, it should be understood that any of the functions or processes described herein with respect to the golf infotainment system 200 may be performed by the vehicle control system 100, the golf simulator(s) 310, and/or the remote systems 240. By way of example, data collection may be performed by the vehicle control system 100 and data analytics may be performed by the vehicle control system 100. By way of another example, data collection may be performed by the golf simulator(s) 310 and data analytics may be performed by the golf simulator(s) 310. By way of another example, data collection may be performed by the vehicle control system 100 and/or the golf simulator(s) 310, and data analytics may be performed by the remote systems 240. By way of yet another example, data collection may be performed by the vehicle control system 100 and/or the golf simulator(s) 310, a first portion of data analytics may be performed by the vehicle control system 100 and/or the golf simulator(s) 310, and a second portion of data analytics may be performed by the remote systems 240. By way of still another example, a first portion of data collection may be performed by the vehicle control system 100, a second portion of data collection may be performed by the remote systems 240, a third portion of data collection may be performed by the golf simulator(s) 310, and data analytics may be performed by the vehicle control system 100, the golf simulator(s) 310, and/or the remote systems 240. The golf infotainment system will be described herein in the context of
[0040]As shown in
[0041]As shown in
[0042]In addition to the performance of the golfer, the inputs 242 include a performance of peers of the golfer. The peers of the golfer may include friends, family members, colleagues, and so on, of the golfer. In this way, the remote systems 240 may identify other golfers with whom the golfer is competing against during a round of golf, for example. The performance of the peers of the golfer includes past performances, real-time performances, performances during a round of golf on a physical location of a golf course (e.g., golf course 300), performances on a golf simulation (e.g., via golf simulator 310), and so on. In some instances, the performance may include statistics such as how well the peers scored on a particular hole (e.g., relative to a par score for the hole), a distance reached by the peers, a shot trajectory of shots of the peers, a club selection, etc.
[0043]According to some embodiments, in addition to the performance of the golfer, the inputs 242 include a performance of golfers of a comparable skill to the golfer. In some embodiments, the comparable skill of the golfer is defined or determined by a handicap, an average per round score, an average per hole score, a number of rounds played, and so on. For example, if the golfer has a five handicap, the golfers of the comparable skill may also have a five handicap or a handicap substantially the same as a five handicap (e.g., a four handicap, a six handicap, etc.). As another example, if the golfer's drive typically reaches 200 yards down the fairway, the golfers of the comparable skill may be golfers who also drove around 200 yards on the same hole.
[0044]Furthermore, the inputs 242 include real-time and/or past weather conditions on a golf course with which the golf infotainment system 200 is associated. The weather conditions may obtained by various sensors (e.g., sensors 304, as shown in
[0045]The inputs 242 also or otherwise include a performance of one or more celebrity golfers on a same golf course as the golf course with which the golf infotainment system 200 is associated. The celebrity golfer refers to a touring golfer, a retired golfer, another type of celebrity athlete (e.g., professional football player, basketball player, baseball player, etc.), an actor/actress, a musician, or any other celebrity figure. In some embodiments, the performance includes the celebrity golfer's score on a particular hole, a distance reached by the celebrity golfer on a particular hole, the celebrity golfer's score for an entire round at the golf course, a shot trajectory of shots of the celebrity golfer, a club selection, and so on.
[0046]Additionally or alternatively, the inputs 242 include golf course metrics such as distances, green speeds, water saturation levels, grass heights, hole layout (e.g., pin positions, tee box positions, hazard locations (e.g., sand traps, water, trees, etc.), out of bounds, fairway locations, rough locations, etc.), and so on. In some embodiments, the golf course metrics are real-time metrics of the golf course at a time when a user (e.g., golfer) is interacting with the golf infotainment system 200. According to other embodiments, the golf course metrics are past metrics of the golf course at a previous point in time (e.g., stored by memory 254 and/or memory 264 of the remote systems 240).
[0047]As shown in
[0048]As another example, the outputs 246 may include a comparison of a golfer's performance to a previous performance of the golfer. In some instances, the previous performance of the golfer is a previous performance on a same hole that the golfer is currently playing, on a different hole of a same course where the golfer is currently playing, on a different course than where the golfer is currently playing, and so on. According to other instances, the previous performance of the golfer is a previous performance during a golf simulation (e.g., via golf simulator 310). The comparison includes statistics such as how much father or shorter the golfer hits the ball, how much higher or lower the golfer's score on a particular hole is, how much higher or lower the golfer's score for a round of golf is, etc.
[0049]Additionally or alternatively, the outputs 274 may include a comparison of a golfer's performance to a performance of peers of the golfer. In some embodiments, the golfer's performance is a real-time performance being compared to a real-time performance of the peers. For example, if the golfer is playing a round of golf at X Golf Course, and three friends of the golfer are playing a round of golf at Y Golf Course at the same time, the golf infotainment system 244 may be configured to compare the performance of the golfer at X Golf Course to the performance of the three friends at Y Golf Course. As another example, if the golfer is using the golf simulator 310, the golfer's real-time performance on a simulation of Hole 3 at Y Golf Course may be compared to a real-time performance of the three friends of the golfer on Hole 3 at Y Golf Course. In other embodiments where the golfer's performance is a real-time performance, the golfer's performance is compared to a past performance of the peers. For example, if the golfer is using the golf simulator 310, the golfer's real-time performance on a simulation of Hole 3 at Z Golf Course may be compared to a past performance of the peers of the golfers on Hole 3 at Z Golf Course.
[0050]Further, according to embodiments where the inputs 242 include the performance of celebrity golfers on the same golf course, the outputs 246 include a comparison of a golfer's performance to the performance of the celebrity golfers. In various instances where the golfer is using the golf simulator 310, the performance of the celebrity golfers refers to the performance of the celebrity golfers at a physical location of a golf course being represented by the golf simulator 310. In this way, a golfer using the golf simulator 310 may select a particular golf course where a specific celebrity golfer has played such that the golfer can play against the celebrity golfer via the golf simulator 310.
[0051]According to some embodiments, the outputs 246 include a club suggestion. The club suggestion refers to recommended club for the golfer to use during a current shot on the golf course. The club suggestion is based on the inputs 242, such as the performance of golfers of a comparable skill, a past performance of the golfer, the real-time weather conditions, the golf course metrics, etc. For example, if the user is taking a first shot on a par-three hole where the pin is 125 yards from the tee box, the club suggestion may be a 7-iron based on past performance of the golfer, past performance of comparable golfers, current wind conditions, etc..
[0052]In some instances, such as where the inputs 242 include the performance of the golfers of a comparable skill, the outputs 246 include instruction based on a previous performance of other golfers in a comparable situation as a current golfer. That is, the comparable situation refers to a same location on a hole. For example, if a golfer hits the ball into a sand trap, the instruction may be provided to the golfer based on previous responses from golfers who have also hit a ball into the same sand trap. The instruction may include suggestions such as a club to use, where to aim, how much power to exert during the swing, etc.
[0053]As shown in
[0054]As shown in
[0055]In some embodiments, the sensors 304 are configured to communicate using a communication protocol including at least one of radio (“LoRa”), cellular, ultra-wideband (UWB), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth low energy (“BLE”). Furthermore, the sensors 304 are configured to communicate information to the remote systems 240, as shown in
[0056]As shown in
[0057]In some embodiments, the golf simulator 310 is used to simulate a competition between the golfer 302 and at least one additional golfer. According to various instances, the at least one additional golfer is also using the golf simulator 310. In other instances, the at least one additional golfer is playing a round of golf concurrently or previously played the round at the golf course that is represented by the golf simulator 310. As shown in
[0058]In some embodiments, the golf simulator 310 displays statistics, shown as player statistics 312, associated with a performance of the golfer 302. The player statistics 312 include statistics such as a club head speed associated with a swing of the golfer 302, a distance reached by the golfer 302 with a swing, ball speed, ball flight metrics, ball spin, etc. The clubhead speed and the distance may be calculated based on measurements received from the sensor 304, which is configured to detect movement at the golf simulator 310.
[0059]As described above, the golf simulator 310 is configured to apply environmental conditions (e.g., detected by at least one of the sensors 304 positioned around the golf course 300, as shown in
[0060]In some embodiments, the golf simulator 310 also displays a suggested club, shown as club suggestions 316, for the golfer 302 to use during a current swing. The club suggestion 316 may be provided as an output 246 of the golf infotainment system 200 based on various inputs 242 such as a current performance of the golfer on the golf simulator 310, a previous performance of the golfer, previous performance of other golfers, golf course metrics (e.g., yardage of the hole), weather conditions, etc. In the example depicted in
[0061]The virtual representation of the golf course 300 generated by the golf simulator 310 depicts a past performance of the golfer 302, shown as personal best 317, a past performance of a celebrity golfer, shown as celebrity best 318, and/or the performance of peers of the golfer, shown as peer performance 319. The personal best 317 represents a location on the simulation of the golf course 300 where the golfer 302 has hit a best shot on a same hole, either at a physical location of the golf course 300 or on a virtual simulation of the golf course 300, at the hole that the golfer 302 is currently playing. Similarly, the celebrity best 318 represents a location on the simulation of the golf course 300 where a celebrity golfer (e.g., as described above with reference to the inputs 242) has hit a best shot on the same hole, either at a physical location of the golf course 300 or on a virtual simulation of the golf course 300, at the hole that the golfer 302 is currently playing.
[0062]According to embodiments where the golfer 302 is currently playing in a competition with one or more additional golfers, the peer performance 319 represents a location where each of the one or more additional golfers has landed a shot on the hole. For example, as shown in
[0063]As shown in
[0064]At step 322, a control system (e.g., the golf infotainment system 200, the vehicle control system 100, the remote systems 240, the golf simulator 310, etc.) is configured to receive an initiation of a golf session from a golfer (e.g., golfer 302). In some embodiments, the golf session includes at least one of a round of golf at a golf course (e.g., the golf course 300) or a golf simulation on a virtual representation of the golf course (e.g., via the golf simulator 310). Further, in some instances, the initiation of the golf session includes a request for instruction (e.g., instruction provided among the outputs 246, as described above). Additionally or alternatively, the initiation of the golf session includes an initiation of a competition between the golfer 302 and a second golfer during the golf session. As an example, the golfer 302 may be currently or previously physically present on the golf course 300, while the second golfer may be currently or previously present at the golf simulator 310. As another example, the golfer 302 may be currently or previously physically present on the golf course 300 and the second golfer may be currently or previously physically present on the golf course 300. As yet another example, the golfer 302 may be currently or previously physically present at the golf simulator 310 and the second golfer may be currently or previously physically present at the golf simulator 310.
[0065]At step 324, the control system is configured to monitor, via one or more sensors, a performance of the golfer during the golf session initiated at step 322. At least one sensor of the one or more sensors is configured to be positioned on a golf course, such as the sensors 304 shown in
[0066]In some embodiments, the performance monitored at step 324 is then stored (e.g., in memory 254 and/or memory 264 of the remote systems 240) for a future reference by the golf infotainment system 200. For instance, the performance is stored for future reference such that the performance is retrievable for use during at least one of a round of golf at the golf course 300 or a golf simulation on a virtual representation of the golf course (e.g., using the golf simulator 310) at a future point in time. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the performance monitored at step 324 is transmitted to the golf simulator 310 in real-time.
[0067]At step 326, the control system is configured to provide, via a display device, feedback based on the performance of the golfer. The feedback includes any of the outputs 246 of the golf infotainment system 200, as described above with reference to
[0068]As utilized herein with respect to numerical ranges, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,” and similar terms generally mean +/−10% of the disclosed values, unless specified otherwise. As utilized herein with respect to structural features (e.g., to describe shape, size, orientation, direction, relative position, etc.), the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,” and similar terms are meant to cover minor variations in structure that may result from, for example, the manufacturing or assembly process and are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as recited in the appended claims.
[0069]It should be noted that the term “exemplary” and variations thereof, as used herein to describe various embodiments, are intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such terms are not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).
[0070]The term “coupled” and variations thereof, as used herein, means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled to each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two members coupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrally formed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If “coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term (e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” provided above is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term (e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without any separate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic definition of “coupled” provided above. Such coupling may be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic.
[0071]References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below”) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the figures. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.
[0072]The hardware and data processing components used to implement the various processes, operations, illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose single-or multi-chip processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or, any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor also may be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. In some embodiments, particular processes and methods may be performed by circuitry that is specific to a given function. The memory (e.g., memory, memory unit, storage device) may include one or more devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, hard disk storage) for storing data and/or computer code for completing or facilitating the various processes, layers and modules described in the present disclosure. The memory may be or include volatile memory or non-volatile memory, and may include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described in the present disclosure. According to an exemplary embodiment, the memory is communicably connected to the processor via a processing circuit and includes computer code for executing (e.g., by the processing circuit or the processor) the one or more processes described herein.
[0073]The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems, and program products on any machine-readable media for accomplishing various operations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented using existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or another purpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.
[0074]Although the figures and description may illustrate a specific order of method steps, the order of such steps may differ from what is depicted and described, unless specified differently above. Also, two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence, unless specified differently above. Such variation may depend, for example, on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations of the described methods could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule-based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps, and decision steps.
[0075]It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the vehicle 10 and the systems and components thereof (e.g., the body 20, the operator controls 40, the driveline 50, the suspension system 60, the braking system 70, the sensors 90, the vehicle control system 100, etc.), and the golf infotainment system 200 (e.g., the remote systems 240, the user portal 230, the user sensors 220, the golf simulator(s) 310, etc.) as shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Additionally, any element disclosed in one embodiment may be incorporated or utilized with any other embodiment disclosed herein.
Claims
1. A golf infotainment system comprising:
one or more sensors, wherein at least one sensor of the one or more sensors is configured to be positioned on a golf course;
a display device; and
one or more processing circuits configured to communicably couple with the one or more sensors and the display device, the one or more processing circuits configured to:
receive an initiation of a golf session from a golfer;
monitor, via the one or more sensors, a performance of the golfer during the golf session; and
provide, via the display device, feedback based on the performance of the golfer.
2. The golf infotainment system of
3. The golf infotainment system of
4. The golf infotainment system of
5. The golf infotainment system of
acquire a second performance of the second golfer;
compare the first performance of the first golfer to the second performance of the second golfer; and
provide the feedback based on the first performance and the second performance.
6. The golf infotainment system of
7. The golf infotainment system of
8. The golf infotainment system of
9. The golf infotainment system of
10. The golf infotainment system of
11. The golf infotainment system of
12. The golf infotainment system of
13. The golf infotainment system of
14. The golf infotainment system of
15. The golf infotainment system of
16. The golf infotainment system of
acquire the environmental condition of the golf course; and
dynamically adjust physics of the golf session within the golf simulator based on the at least one environmental condition.
17. A golf infotainment system for a golf course, the golf infotainment system comprising:
a first plurality of sensors configured to be positioned about the golf course;
a second plurality of sensors configured to be positioned on at least one of golf balls, golf carts, or golf clubs used on the golf course; and
a non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
receive an initiation of a golf session from a golfer, wherein the golf session includes a round of golf at the golf course;
monitor, via the first plurality of sensors and the second plurality of sensors, a performance of the golfer during the golf session; and
at least one of (a) store the performance for future reference or (b) transmit the performance to a golf simulator in real-time.
18. The golf infotainment system of
19. The golf infotainment system of
20. A golf infotainment system for a golf course, the golf infotainment system comprising:
a non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
receive an initiation of a golf session from a first golfer, wherein the initiation of the golf session includes at least one of (a) a request for instruction or (b) an initiation of a competition between the first golfer and a second golfer during the golf session;
monitor, via one or more sensors, a first performance of the first golfer during the golf session; and
provide, via a display device, feedback based on the performance of the first golfer, wherein the feedback includes at least one of:
an instruction for improving the first performance of the first golfer in response to the request for instruction; or
a determination of a winner in response to the initiation of the competition between the first golfer and the second golfer.