Apple wants to help you improve your golf game. The company has been granted a patent (number 9,697,540) for “golf score, marketing, and reporting system and method of operation.”
And forget CarPlay. We’re talking GolfPlay!
The invention relates generally to systems in which golfers keep their scores using a mobile or portable computing device (most certainly an iPhone) that’s handheld or integrated into or attached to a golf car and/or which provides ads to golfers through such computing device.
What’s more, the patent involves a comprehensive golf scoring, marketing and reporting system and method in which golf scores and/or other information (e.g., information pertaining to selected advertisements) are automatically reported and/or communicated to a golfer upon completion of or during a round of golf.
The scenario is this: a golfer operates a mobile terminal during play of a round of golf. The mobile terminal displays at least an electronic score card on its display. The terminal may optionally display other information, such as advertisements, that may be of interest to the golfer.
During play, the mobile terminal receives inputs from the golfer to record the golfer’s scores. Other inputs may include selection of a displayed advertisement or purchase of a displayed product or service. Once the scores have been entered, the mobile terminal wirelessly transmits the scores and/or other information to a central server via a wireless subsystem. The scores and/or other information are then automatically communicated from the server to an email account and/or personal web portal account of the golfer.
Of course, Apple files for — and is granted — lots of patents by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Many are for inventions that never see the light of day. However, you never can tell which ones will materialize in a real product.
