Karl Robert Engstrom

US Patent:

20110191023, Aug 4, 2011

Filed:

Aug 31, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/872855

Inventors:

Karl Engstrom - San Diego CA, US

International Classification:

G01C 21/00
G06K 9/00

US Classification:

701208, 382154

Abstract:

The present invention provides three-dimensional, topographic data (x,y,z) for a golf course navigation device. In an embodiment of the invention, three data sets are acquired for each golf hole: (1) geospatial digital image data, (2) geospatial terrain data including elevation and topographic measurements, and (3) object data pertaining to trees, bushes, water hazards, buildings, and any other objects present. Each hole is mapped using high resolution airborne photogrammetry and in some cases, light detection and ranging acquisition sensors. Geospatial, three-dimensional terrain data is acquired using a photogrammetry and/or stereo photogrammetry compilation. Object data is acquired from measurements taken from ground level. From all of this acquired data, a three-dimensional (x,y,z) geospatial model is built and then integrated into 3-D gaming, visualization and web mapping environments such as Microsoft Bing Maps, Google Earth, and various mobile and golf cart mounted, golf course navigation systems.