高爾夫定位的專利訴訟

專利不只是用於有實體產出的技術，方法也是專利保護的標的，今天來看一個有關高爾夫定位的專利訴訟案，本案的被告是台灣的廠商。

2012,4,11,位於美國德州的高爾夫定位系統製造商GPS Industries LLC，在德州西部聯邦地院控告台灣南北星(Sonostar)股份有限公司於美國當地的代理商Dennco，侵害其US5,438,518以及US6,263,279號專利。
系爭專利的技術是用於高爾夫球的距離計算技術，除可提供球的落點追蹤外，也可以計算球與洞口之間的距離並提供予球員做揮擊時的參考。

US5438518
Title : Player positioning and distance finding system
Filing Date : 1994.1.19.
Issue Date : 1995.8.1.
Abstract :
The invention relates to a portable distance tracking system for use by a player on a playing field. The system includes a mobile interface unit that has a memory element, position interface electronics, a data processor, and a player interface. The memory element stores digitized map representations of playing fields. The position interface electronics receivers position indicative signals that are representative of a geographical location of the mobile unit from an external source. The data processor couples to the memory element and to the position interface electronics and correlates the geographical location to a field location of the mobile interface unit on the playing field. The processor also determines the distance from the mobile interface unit to a first landmark. The player interface is coupled to the data processor and communicates the distance between the mobile interface unit and the first landmark to the player. According to a preferred embodiment, the playing field is a golf course and the first landmark is a flag location at a select hole on the golf course.

US6263279
Title : Memory for GPS-based golf distancing system
Filing Date : 1998.11.17.
Issue Date : 2001.6.17.
Abstract :
A portable distance tracking system for use by a player on a playing field wherein the playing field includes at least a first landmark and wherein the system comprises at least one mobile interface unit. The mobile interface unit includes a memory element, position interface electronics, a data processor, and a player interface. The memory element stores digitized map representations of playing fields. The position interface electronics receive position indicative signals from and external source, wherein the position indicative signals are representative of a geographical location of the mobile interface unit. The data processor couples to the memory element and to the position interface electronics and correlates the geographical location to a field location of said mobile interface unit on said playing field. The processor also determines the distance from the mobile interface unit to the first landmark. The player interface is coupled to the data process and communicates the distance between the mobile interface unit and the first landmark to the player. According to a preferred embodiment, the playing field is a golf course and the first landmark is a flag location at a select hole on the golf course.