US 7,480,569 B2
Method and system for golf cart controlGeneral
US 7,480,569 B2
Method and system for golf cart control
Tech Center:
3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security and License and Review
Examiner:
Richard M. Camby
Art Unit:
3661 Computerized Vehicle Controls and Navigation, Radio Wave, Optical and Acoustic Wave Communication, Robotics, and Nuclear Systems
Agent:
Inventors:
David J. Wehrlen; Joseph M. Hill; David J. Mullinix
Assignee:
Priority:
01/17/03
Filed:
06/06/07
Granted:
01/20/09
Expiration:
07/11/23
Abstract
Golf cart movements at a golf course are controlled by a limited access controller that compares a golf cart's GPS-determined position against a limited access map to restrict performance of inputs by the golf cart's driver to the golf cart's motor under predetermined conditions, such as if a golf cart enters or has a predetermined likelihood of entering a limited access area. The limited access controller inhibits motor responses, such as by preventing motor operation, limiting available motor speeds, or allowing motor operation only in a vector that removes the golf cart from the limited access area, such as operation in reverse. Golf carts of a golf course communicate with a base station that updates the limited access map by defining limited access area perimeters and allowable actions within a limited access area and that directly commands allowable motor operations. For example, golf carts are prohibited from entering green areas, are restricted to golf cart paths during cart-path-only periods, and are restricted to reduced speeds in driving hazard areas.
Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC)
G05G05D1/0297G05D