Autonomous Golf Cart Positioning With Trilateration-Based Terminal Tracking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional golf cart systems face challenges in rapidly and accurately determining the location of a golfer or terminal carried by a golfer when they re-enter a driving area after deviating from a restricted area, leading to delays in movement.

Innovation Solution

A golf cart system utilizing a trilateration algorithm to calculate the accurate location of a terminal through distance measurements from multiple fixed nodes, enabling autonomous driving and rapid location confirmation, with a control module that includes collision prevention, GPS, slope sensors, and communication modules for real-time tracking and control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If GPS-based location tracking is used, then the golf cart can track the golfer's position, but the location accuracy is insufficient when the golfer re-enters a driving area after deviation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoidtime delay in location confirmation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces fixed nodes as intermediary reference points distributed throughout the golf course. These nodes serve as mediators between the golfer's terminal and the golf cart system, enabling precise trilateration-based location calculation. When the golfer re-enters a driving area, the terminal communicates with nearby fixed nodes to rapidly determine accurate position, eliminating GPS delays and accuracy issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the GPS satellite-based positioning system with a ground-based trilateration system using fixed nodes. This substitution eliminates reliance on satellite signals, which suffer from accuracy and delay issues when golfers move between restricted and driving areas. The RF-based distance measurement system provides continuous, accurate location data regardless of the golfer's movement status.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the golf cart waits for location confirmation before moving, then it can ensure accurate tracking, but the response time and productivity are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking accuracyVSAvoidresponse speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-distributing fixed nodes throughout the golf course before operation begins. These nodes are pre-configured with identification information and communication capabilities. When the golfer needs location confirmation, the system can immediately query nearby pre-positioned nodes without delay, enabling rapid and reliable tracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuous location tracking by maintaining constant communication between the terminal, fixed nodes, and golf cart control system. The trilateration algorithm continuously calculates position based on distances to multiple fixed nodes, providing uninterrupted location data that enables immediate cart response without waiting for periodic GPS updates or location reconfirmation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system allows for precise and rapid location determination of the terminal, enabling the golf cart to move accurately and efficiently, improving convenience and reducing waiting times for golfers by ensuring accurate tracking and autonomous operation.

Implementation Method 1

a distance measurement unit configured to measure a distance between the control module and the terminal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of Flight: Time of Flight

Implementation Method 2

determines the accurate location value of the terminal through a trilateration algorithm when the terminal enters the driving area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTrilateration:

Data Source

PatentUS11156999B2Golf cart system capable of autonomous driving based on accurate location information and method of controlling golf cart using the system

Publication Date: 2021.10.26 TT&G CO LTD

AI summary

A golf cart system for enabling a golf cart to autonomously operate includes a cart main body, a control module, a server, and a terminal. More specifically, when the terminal deviates from its original location where transmission and reception to and from a golf cart are performed or the terminal deviates from a driving restricted area or driving area within a driving area set in the golf cart, the golf cart is automatically stopped. When the terminal enters the driving area again, an accurate location of the terminal is confirmed using a distance value having a minimized error range using a trilateration algorithm, and the golf cart can move rapidly.