US20090280930A1

US20090280930A1 - Method and system for facilitating interaction between players on a golf course

Info

Publication number: US20090280930A1
Application number: US12/117,853
Authority: US
Inventors: Tzu-Wei Lin; Meng-Hsiang Chang; Chien-Lung Chen
Original assignee: NICE-ON CORP
Current assignee: NICE-ON CORP
Priority date: 2008-05-09
Filing date: 2008-05-09
Publication date: 2009-11-12

Abstract

A method and system are provided to facilitate interaction between players on a golf course. More specifically, one embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile computing device, also called Personal Golf Game Assistant (PGGA). The PGGA is adapted to assist a player to track game-related data during a round of golf and establish communication with one or more compatible PGGAs carried by other players on the golf course. As various types of information data can be exchanged among the PGGAs of the players on the golf course, interaction between the players is thus facilitated.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to computing technologies used in golf games, and more particularly to methods and systems for facilitating interaction between players on a golf course.
2. Description of the Related Art
Unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
As the popularity of golf continues to grow, an increasing number of accessory products associated with golf have also been commercialized. For example, various types of portable devices specifically designed to assist golfers are currently available. In general, these conventional portable devices tend to only support rudimentary capabilities, such as finding a golf ball and estimating distances on a golf course, but lack the functionalities to analyze a round played. Furthermore, these portable devices are typically designed and marketed with the sole emphasis on assisting a golfer to improve his or her game. However, especially for an amateur golfer, although shooting an improved score may be one motivation to play a round of golf on a course, the amateur golfer may also be motivated to use the golf-playing opportunity to establish social or business connections with others on the golf course. Unfortunately, none of the aforementioned portable devices on the market is designed to address this social aspect of the golf game.
What is needed in the art is thus a method and system that can facilitate interaction between players on a golf course and address at least the problems set forth above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present application describes a method and system for facilitating interaction between players on a golf course. Specifically, one embodiment of the present invention sets forth a mobile computing device adapted to assist a first player in a round of golf on a golf course. The mobile computing device includes a processing unit, a memory system, a satellite-aided navigation module, and a short-range wireless module capable of detecting at least one instance of the mobile computing device in a given distance range. The processing unit is configured to generate group data identifying at least a second player who is provided with the one instance of the mobile computing device and plays on a same hole on the golf course as the first player.
In another embodiment, a system adapted to assist a first player in a round of golf on a golf course is described. The system includes a host computer installed on a site of the golf course and a mobile computing device adapted to exchange information with the host computer, wherein the mobile computing device is provided to the first player on the golf course. The mobile computing device includes a processing unit, a memory system, a satellite-aided navigation module, and a short-range wireless module capable of detecting at least one instance of the mobile computing device in a given distance range. The processing unit is configured to generate group data identifying at least a second player who is provided with the one instance of the mobile computing device and plays on a same hole on the golf course as the first player.
In yet another embodiment, a method for assisting a first player in a round of golf on a golf course is disclosed. The method includes enabling a mobile computing device carried by the first player to exchange data with a host computer on a site of the golf course and automatically exchanging information between the mobile computing device of the first player and at least one instance of the mobile computing device of a second player, wherein the first player and the second player are deemed to belong to a same group since the first player and the second player are determined to play on a same hole of the golf course.
At least one advantage of the present invention disclosed herein is the ability to assist a golfer to track game-related data during a game of golf and interact with one or more compatible devices carried by other players on the golf course. As various types of information data can be automatically shared among the players on the golf course, interaction between the players is thus facilitated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1A is a functional block diagram of a personal golf game assistant device (PGGA) according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating multiple use configurations of a PGGA according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating examples of data content stored in a PGGA according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B shows an example of personal data stored in a PGGA according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2C illustrates other user-related data content descriptive of the user's relationship that may be stored in a PGGA according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2D illustrates an example of a hole map stored in a PGGA according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2E illustrates an example of game data sheet stored in a PGGA to maintain collected game data according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2F illustrates an example of group data content stored in a PGGA to track players belonging to a same group during a round according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of operation steps performed by a PGGA according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a flowchart of method steps performed by a PGGA to form a group of players according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a flowchart of method steps to establish a group of players on a golf course according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4C is a flowchart of method steps to establish a group of players according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of method steps performed to exchange information data between two instances of a PGGA according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of method steps performed by a PGGA to collect game data according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a simplified block diagram of a PGGA according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present application describes a method and computer system for facilitating interaction between players on a golf course. More specifically, one embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile computing device, also called Personal Golf Game Assistant (PGGA) herein. The PGGA is adapted to assist a golfer to track game-related data during a round of golf and establish communication with one or more compatible PGGAs carried by other players on the golf course. The communication enables various types of information data to be exchanged among the PGGAs and thus facilitate the users of the PGGAs to interact with one another.
FIG. 1A is a functional block diagram of a PGGA 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The PGGA 100 includes a processing unit 102, a Global Positioning System (GPS) module 104, a short-range wireless module 106, a memory system 108, a display device 116, and an input device 118. The processing unit 102 is configured to control the operations of the GPS module 104 and short-range wireless module 106, execute one or more software programs 112 stored in the memory system 108, process data content 114 stored in the memory system 108, send image data to the display device 116, and receive user's inputs from the input device 118.
Referring again to FIG. 1A, the GPS module 104 is operable to determine in real time the current location of a user carrying the PGGA 100. More specifically, through the GPS module 104, the PGGA 100 is able to locate the user on a golf course in real time. While this embodiment employs the GPS standard for the embedded navigation system, any available satellite-aided navigation standards may also be suitable.
The short-range wireless module 106, which may include a Bluetooth transceiver, a two-way radio transceiver, or a combination of different transceivers, is configured to allow devices that are compatible with the PGGA 100 and are within a short-distance range to exchange information with one another. This short-range wireless module 106 may also be configured to detect the presence of one or more compatible devices in the short-distance range. In one embodiment, the short-distance range may be set to be within about 50 meters. However, the range of the wireless module 106 may also be changed to greater or smaller distance ranges. Compatible devices detectable by the short-range wireless module 106 for information exchange may comprise a computer device, a communication device, and/or one or more compatible PGGAs carried by other players on a golf course.
The display device 116 and the input device 118 allow the user to control and provide input information to the PGGA 100. The display device 116 may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, organic light-emitting device panel (OLED), touch panel, or the like. The input device 118 includes multiple keys or buttons with attributed functions for controlling the PGGA 100.
The software programs 112 stored in the memory system 108 may include, without limitation, an operating system, driver programs, and application programs, which if executed by the processing unit 102, causes the processing unit 102 to manage the operations of the PGGA 100. The data content 114 includes various types of information data, which may have been preloaded before a round of golf begins, collected during the round, or received from other PGGAs. Examples of the data content 114 will be described in more details below in conjunction with FIGS. 2A through 2F.
FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating multiple use configurations of the PGGA 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In one use configuration, each player 132 may be provided with one PGGA 100 when playing on a golf course 130. In this case, each player 132 can use the PGGA to visualize information about his/her current physical location provided by a GPS satellite 136 and keep track of game-related data in the PGGA. In addition, when two or more of the players 132 are located within a suitable distance range, their respective PGGAs can exchange certain information associated with the players 132. Such exchanges can facilitate the social interactions between the players 132 as the players play a round of golf.
In another use configuration, a site 140 of the golf course 130 (e.g., the clubhouse of the golf course 130) may be provided with a kiosk 142 adapted to interact with the PGGA of each player. The kiosk 142, which may include any computer terminal, is linked to a server computer (not shown) where various information is kept, such as data related to registered players, map data of the golf course available for download, updated news information, commercial advertisements, and like data. In one implementation, some portions of the information stored in the server (such as the map data) may be browsed from the kiosk 142 and/or downloaded from the kiosk 142 to the PGGA of a registered player. In another implementation, once a player completes a round, the player may also transfer certain game data collected by and stored in the PGGA during the round to the kiosk 142 for further processing. Based on the game data, the kiosk 142 may then compute and print out statistical data to help the player evaluate his or her performance (such as the total number of holes played, the score for each hole, the farthest stroke, the player's handicap, and other like information) and upload the player's score or other information of interest onto a website for sharing purposes. Instead of interacting with the kiosk 142, alternate embodiments may also allow the player to perform one or more of the aforementioned functions supported by the kiosk 142 from home through a suitably configured personal computer device 146. In this manner, information stored in the PGGA may be conveniently processed and shared among groups of people having the same interest in golf.
As mentioned above, the PGGA 100 contains various types of information data useful to the user. To further illustrate, FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating examples of the data content 114 stored in the memory system 108 of the PGGA 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The data content 114 may include, without limitation, user personal data 210, a map database 212 containing maps of holes that are played during a round, game data content 214 that keeps track of information about the user's performance during a round, and group data content 216 for identifying players belonging to the same group.
FIGS. 2B and 2C show examples of the personal data content 210 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The personal data content 210 may be initially preloaded in the PGGA 100 before a ground begins. Referring to FIG. 2B, in one embodiment, the personal data content 210 may include user information data 222 associated with the user of the PGGA 100. The user information data 222 may include, without limitation, a user's name field USER'S_NAME, citizenship field USER_ID, gender field GENDER, age field AGE, contact information field CONTACT, and/or PGGA identification number DEVICE_ID. One or more portions of the user information data 222 may be incorporated in a personal business card that can be exchanged with the PGGAs carried by other players at the same golf course.
Referring to FIG. 2C, the personal data content 210 may also include relationship data 232 for identifying certain people that have connection with the user of the PGGA 100. For each identified person, the relationship data 232 stores his/her name in a data field NAME, the type of connection with the user in a data field CLASS, and one or more connections of the identified person in a data field RELATIONSHIP. The data field CLASS is set to “1^stlevel” to indicate that the user has had a direct contact with the identified person, and to “2^ndlevel” to indicate that the user has no direct contact with that person. The data field CLASS may be updated from “1^stlevel” to “2^ndlevel” after direct contact occurs.
To further illustrate how the relationship data 232 are collected and updated, suppose the user “John Woods” plays a round of golf with two other players, “Will Stark” and “Mark Chen”. After the PGGA carried by John Woods detects the presence of the PGGAs carried by Will Stark and Mark Chen, the PGGA of John Woods is configured to receive information about Will Stark and Mark Chen from their respective PGGAs. The relationship data 232 in the PGGA of John Woods are accordingly updated to store the names of Will Stark and Mark Chen in the data field NAME and “1^stlevel” in the corresponding data field CLASS, since John Woods indeed has direct contact with the two players. Now, suppose further that the PGGA of Will Stark contains the name of “Mike Campbell” as Will Stark's “1^stlevel” connection and the PGGA of Mark Chen contains the name of “Eric Jones” as Mark Chen's “1^stlevel” connection. In one implementation, “Mike Campbell” and “Eric Jones” will be also stored in the data field NAME in the relationship data 232 in the PGGA of John Woods, with the corresponding field CLASS set to “2^ndlevel,” as John Woods has no direct contact with either Mike Campbell or Eric Jones. In addition, in the data field RELATIONSHIP, “Will Stark” and “Mark Chen” are again stored, because Mike Campbell and Eric Jones have direct contacts with Will Stark and Mark Chen, respectively. If John Woods has the chance to meet Mike Campbell or Eric Jones on a golf course at a later time, then the corresponding data field CLASS may then be updated to “1^stlevel.” Moreover, John Woods can also be informed that either Mike Campbell or Eric Jones shares a common connection, namely, either Will Stark or Mark Chen. This way, through the use of the PGGA, John Woods can effectively build up a network of connections each time he plays golf.
While the exchange of the relationship data 232 is aimed to encourage social interactions during a ground of golf, in one implementation, the PGGA 100 is configured to allow any user who does not wish to share the relationship data 232 to selectively disable this share function. In other words, if the PGGA 100 receives the relationship data 232 but with the share function disabled, then the PGGA 100 is configured not to display any of the relationship data 232. In alternate embodiments, the PGGA 100 may be configured to display only portions of the relationship data 232 corresponding to the connections of the 1^stlevel. In this manner, any relationship data associated with the individuals with whom the user of the PGGA 100 lacks any direct contact is not displayed.
FIG. 2D illustrates an example of a hole map 240 that may be stored in the map database 212. The hole map 240 contains descriptions of the features and coordinate information that are associated with the hole. For example, the hole map 240 includes include features such as a teeing ground 241, a putting green 243, a fairway 245, and various hazards such as sand traps 247 and their associated coordinate information. During a round of golf, when the user of the PGGA 100 plays the hole, the PGGA 100 is able to detect the current physical location of the user in relation to the hole map 240 and provide distance estimation between the user's current physical location and certain points of interest on the hole map 240. For example, suppose the user is at a current location 251 on the hole map 240. In one embodiment, estimated distances provided by the PGGA 100 include the distances between the current location 251 and a front-of-green point 253 and a rear-of-green point 255 of the putting green 243, respectively taken on a straight line that intersects the current location 251 and a cup location 257. In this manner, the user of the PGGA 100 can judge with precision the distance to cover to reach the putting green 243. It should be noted that in one implementation, the hole map 240 is derived via from satellite or aerial images of the actual physical hole of a golf course.
During a round of golf, the PGGA 100 collects game data that can be used to evaluate the player's performance. FIG. 2E illustrates an exemplary game data sheet 260 used to collect game data according to an embodiment of the present invention. The game data sheet 260 includes a game date field GAME_DATE and a data owner field USER'S_NAME that identifies the name of the player whose performance is tracked. Each stroke is identified with a sequential stroke number in the data field STROKE. For each stroke, a set of information data is collected, including the location where the stroke is performed in the data field LOCATION, the type of club used in the data field CLUB, the played hole number in the data field HOLE, and the time the stroke is made in the data field TIME. Based on the collected game data, statistics data can then be computed to evaluate the player's performance during the round. In addition, some of the collected game data, e.g., the number of strokes for each hole, can be exchanged with other players during the round. Also, the collected game data can be further processed, such as to generate an updated score, before the exchanges occur.
FIG. 2F illustrates an example of group data content 216 of FIG. 2A that tracks identified players belonging to a same group during a round of golf according to one embodiment of the present invention. When the user of the PGGA 100 plays on a hole, the short-range wireless module 106 of FIG. 1A detects compatible PGGAs of other players who are within the detection range of the module. The information identifying these players who are deemed in the same group is stored in the group data content 216, which may include the name of each identified player in the data field GROUP_PLAYER and the name of the golf course where the presence of these players is detected. During the round of golf, information data can be exchanged between the user of the PGGA 100 and each player identified in the group data content 216.
In conjunction with FIGS. 1A and 1B, FIG. 3 is a flowchart of operation steps performed by the PGGA 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In step 302, the PGGA 100 displays a main menu on the display device 116 as shown in FIG. 1A. The main menu includes various operation modes selectable by the user. In step 304, the PGGA 100 detects whether one of the displayed operation modes, i.e. game mode, is selected by the user. If the game mode is not selected, the PGGA 100 in step 306 further examines whether another operation mode is selected. If no such operation mode is selected, then the PGGA 100 continues to display the main menu. Otherwise, the selected mode of operation is executed in step 308. Some examples of the operation modes that are executed in step 308 include, without limitation, a data upload operation to transfer information data between the PGGA 100 and a computer device (such as kiosk 142) and a status verification operation to review navigation status associated with the operation status of the GPS module 104, various settings status supported by the PGGA 100, or group information status. After the selected mode in step 308 is executed, the PGGA 100 returns to step 302 to display the main menu.
If the user of the PGGA 100 selects the game mode in step 304, the PGGA 100 in step 310 then starts a game session. In one embodiment, the game session starts after the user is physically on the golf course and ready to play the first hole. During the round, additional steps may be performed on the PGGA 100. In step 312, the PGGA 100 proceeds to establish a group of identified players with compatible PGGAs who are playing on the same hole. In step 314, the PGGA 100 collects game data to track the performance of the user. In step 316, after the group of players is established, the PGGA 100 exchanges data with one or more detected group members. While the steps 312 through 316 have been illustrated in a specific order, it is understood that these steps may be performed in parallel or in different orders. In step 318, the PGGA 100 checks whether the user decides to leave the game mode, which may correspond to the completion of the round. If so, the PGGA 100 returns to step 302 to display the main menu. Otherwise, the game mode continues and steps 312 through 316 are repeated.
In conjunction with FIGS. 1A and 2F, FIG. 4A is a flowchart of method steps performed by the PGGA 100 to establish a group of players on a golf course according to one embodiment of the present invention. In step 402, the PGGA 100 determines the user's presence in the teeing ground of a hole via the GPS module 104. Consequently, in step 404, the short-range wireless module 106 is activated to detect and record the presence of other players provided with compatible PGGAs also in the same teeing ground of the hole. These identified players will be recorded as potential candidates for forming a group with the user. In step 406, the PGGA 100 then determines whether the user is on the putting green of the same hole. In step 408, the presence of other players on the putting green is also detected through the short-range wireless module 106. In step 410, the group data 216 are then generated, which includes the identified players whose presence has been detected in the teeing ground and the putting green of the same hole. Useful information data may then be shared among these detected players who belong to the same group, as recorded in the group data content 216.
The foregoing embodiment illustrates a method of forming a group of players in which the group data are confirmed after the players reach a putting green. In alternate embodiments, as illustrated below in conjunction with FIGS. 4B and 4C, the PGGA 100 may also be operable to form a group of players before reaching the putting green. FIG. 4B is a flowchart of method steps to establish a group of players on a golf course according to another embodiment of the present invention. In step 422, the presence of a user of the PGGA 100 in the teeing ground of a hole is determined, via the GPS module 104. Consequently, in step 424, the short-range wireless module 106 is activated to detect and record the presence of other compatible PGGAs carried by other players also in the same teeing ground of the hole. These identified players will be recorded as potential candidates for forming a group with the user. After leaving the teeing ground, the PGGA 100 in step 426 then proceeds to exchange handshakes with the PGGAs of players that are within a detection range of the PGGA 100 and track a number of successful handshakes associated with each detected PGGA. A handshake is a protocol in which two PGGAs mutually exchange certain signals for acknowledging of their respective presence. In one implementation, each successful handshake between two PGGAs refers to one successful exchange of signals between the two PGGAs. Players who are playing on a same hole thus should have their respective number of successful handshakes significantly increased in the course of the game. In step 428, the group data 216 are then generated, which include the identified players with substantial higher and substantially similar numbers of successful handshakes relative to other players played on the golf course.
FIG. 4C is a flowchart of method steps to establish a group of players according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. In step 432, the presence of a user of the PGGA 100 in the teeing ground of a hole is determined via the GPS module 104. Consequently, in step 434, the short-range wireless module 106 is activated to detect and record the presence of other compatible PGGAs carried by other players also in the same teeing ground of the hole. These identified players will be recorded as potential candidates for forming a group with the user. After leaving the teeing ground, the PGGA 100 in step 436 then proceeds to exchange handshakes with the PGGAs of the identified players over a predetermined period of time and track of a number of successful handshakes associated with each detected PGGA. In step 438, the group data 216 are then generated, which include the identified players whose numbers of successful handshakes have substantially increased or are substantially higher within the predetermined period of time relative to other players played on the golf course. Steps 436 and 438 may then be cyclically repeated to timely update the group data 216 during the course of the game. This method allows players who may join in after the game has started to be flexibly added to the group data.
In conjunction with FIGS. 1A and 2F, FIG. 5 is a flowchart of method steps to exchange information data between two instances of the PGGA 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In step 502, a first PGGA is provided to a first player for use on a golf course. In step 504, during a round of golf, the first PGGA may detect the presence of a second player provided with a compatible second PGGA on the same golf course. Consequently, in step 506, the first PGGA determines whether the identity information associated with the detected second player matches the group data content 216 stored in the first PGGA. If it is not the case, the first PGGA then returns to step 504. On the other hand, if the detected second player is found in the group data content 216, information exchange in step 508 can then be automatically initiated between the first and second PGGA. In one embodiment, information shared between the two players can include business cards, updated game scores, and relationship data describing social connections of each player, such as relationship data 232 illustrated in FIG. 2C. In step 510, the data content 114 on the first and second PGGAs may then be updated based on the exchanged information data. In addition to game score updates, each PGGA may thus be able to also show whether there are any common connections to the first and second players based on the exchanged relationship data. In this manner, interaction between players on the golf course is facilitated.
In still another embodiment, if the first player and the second player are determined to belong to the same group, then the first PGGA and the second PGGA are configured to allow the two players to talk to one another via the wireless module 106, such as a two-way radio transceiver, or exchange other types of multimedia data such as images or video clips.
In conjunction with FIGS. 1A and 2E, FIG. 6 is a flowchart of method steps performed by the PGGA 100 to collect game data in the game data sheet 260 according to one embodiment of the present invention. During a round of golf, game data may be collected for each stroke made by the user. More specifically, the collection of game data is initiated in step 602 when the PGGA 100 receives a user's input via the input device 118 indicating that a stroke has been made. Consequently, in step 604, the PGGA 100 increments the stroke number, records the corresponding physical location of the user on the golf course, the time at which the stroke is made, and the hole number. Optionally, in step 606, the PGGA 100 may also record a club identification number entered by the user for the stroke. Each club identification number corresponds to a particular club, such as a 5-iron, the user of the PGGA 100 may use to play the round. In one implementation, the PGGA 100 may suggest a few clubs and display the suggestions on the display device 116 for the user to choose from. In other words, instead of manually entering a club identification number, the user can select from one of the suggested choices, and the club identification number of the selected club is recorded. Steps 602 through 606 can be repeated in manner discussed above for each successive stroke to accumulate game data in the PGGA 100. Based on the collected game data, the player's performance can then be evaluated at the end of the game of golf.
FIG. 7 is a simplified block diagram of a PGGA 700 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The PGGA 700 has a size that can be easily hand held. The PGGA 700 comprises a display screen 702, and a plurality of buttons 710, including a Menu button 712, cursor displacement buttons 714, and a Sync button 716. The Menu button 712 is operable to display a main menu on the display screen 702 including a plurality of operation modes for selection by the user. The cursor displacement buttons 714 are operable by the user to navigate among multiple displayed items for selection. The Sync button 716 is configured to trigger data transfer between the PGGA 700 and a computer device, such as kiosk 142 or personal computer 146 shown in FIG. 1B.
Two additional buttons, i.e. Add/ Remove buttons 718A and 718R, are also provided. After a stroke is made, the user may press on the Add button 718A to increment by one the stroke number and trigger game data collection in the game data sheet 260 shown in FIG. 2E. The Remove button 718R is configured to decrement by one the stroke number and delete its associated data in the event the Add button 718A is inadvertently pressed.
As has been described above the method and system described herein are thus able to assist a golfer in tracking game-related data during a round of golf and interacting one or more other golfers on the golf course. As various types of information data can be automatically shared among the players to promote social activities, interaction between players on the golf course is thus facilitated.
The above description illustrates various embodiments of the present invention along with examples of how aspects of the present invention may be implemented. The above examples, embodiments, instruction semantics, and drawings should not be deemed to be the only embodiments, and are presented to illustrate the flexibility and advantages of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A mobile computing device adapted to assist a first player in a round of golf on a golf course, the mobile computing device comprises:

a processing unit;

a memory system;

a satellite-aided navigation module; and

a short-range wireless module capable of detecting at least one instance of the mobile computing device in a given distance range, wherein the processing unit is configured to generate group data identifying at least a second player who is provided with the one instance of the mobile computing device and plays on a same hole on the golf course as the first player.

2. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is further configured to include information associated with the second player in the group data if the first player and the second player are present in a teeing ground and subsequently in a putting green of the same hole.

3. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is further configured to include information associated with the second player in the group data if a substantial number of successful handshakes are achieved between the instances of the mobile computing device carried by the first player and the second player.

4. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is further configured to cause information exchange between the instances of the mobile computing devices carried by the first player and the second player, who are identified in the group data, via a wireless connection.

5. The mobile computing device of claim 4, wherein the information exchanged comprises personal information data of the first player and the second player.

6. The mobile computing device of claim 4, wherein the information exchanged comprises relationship data associated with the first player and the second player.

7. The mobile computing device of claim 4, wherein the information exchanged comprises game-related data associated with the first player and the second player.

8. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is further configured to collect game-related data during the round of golf.

9. The mobile computing device of claim 8, wherein the game-related data comprise a number of strokes, a physical location on the golf course where each stroke is made, and a type of club selected for each stroke.

10. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is further configured to cause transfer of data between the mobile computing device and a host computer so that post-round processing of the data can take place.

11. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is further configured to allow the first player to talk to the second player via a radio communication session supported by the instances of the mobile computing devices after the first player and the second player are identified in the group data.

12. A system adapted to assist a first player in a round of golf on a golf course, the system comprises:

a host computer; and

a mobile computing device adapted to exchange information with the host computer, wherein the mobile computing device is provided to the first player and comprises:

a processing unit;

a memory system;

a satellite-aided navigation module; and

a short-range wireless module capable of detecting at least one instance of the mobile computing device in a given distance range, wherein the processing unit is configured to generate group data identifying at least a second player who is provided with the one instance of the mobile computing device and plays on a same hole of the golf course as the first player.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the processing unit is further configured to include information associated with the second player in the group data if the first player and the second player are present in a teeing ground and subsequently in a putting green of the same hole.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the processing unit is further configured to include information associated with the second player in the group data if a substantial number of successful handshakes are achieved between the instances of the mobile computing device carried by the first player and the second player.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the processing unit is further configured to cause information exchange between the instances of the mobile computing devices carried by the first player and the second player, who are identified in the group data, via a wireless connection.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the information exchanged comprises personal information data of the first player and the second player.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the information exchanged comprises relationship data associated with the first player and the second player.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the information exchanged comprises game-related data associated with the first player and the second player.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein the processing unit is further configured to collect game-related data during the round of golf.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the game-related data comprise a number of strokes, a physical location on the golf course where each stroke is made, and a type of club selected for each stroke.

21. The system of claim 12, wherein the processing unit is further configured to cause transfer of data between the mobile computing device and a host computer so that post-round processing of the data can take place.

22. A method for assisting a first player in a round of golf on a golf course, comprising:

enabling a mobile computing device carried by the first player to exchange data with a host computer; and

exchanging information between the mobile computing device of the first player and at least one instance of the mobile computing device of a second player via a wireless connection, wherein the first player and the second player are deemed to belong to a same group since the first player and the second player are determined to play on a same hole of the golf course.