초록 ▼

A motorized cart that supports one or more golf bags automatically follows a golfer around the golf course from hole to hole. In particular, the golfer wears, or carries, a signal transmitter that emits a signal that is received by the motorized cart and then used by the motorized cart to stay with

A motorized cart that supports one or more golf bags automatically follows a golfer around the golf course from hole to hole. In particular, the golfer wears, or carries, a signal transmitter that emits a signal that is received by the motorized cart and then used by the motorized cart to stay within a predetermined range of the golfer. In addition to golfers, delivery personnel and other users may also benefit from this cart.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A motorized cart controlled by a radio frequency signal comprising: a receiver configured to detect a signal emitted from a transmitter; a signal processor, in communication with the receiver, configured to determine a relative position of the transmitter based on a phase dif

What is claimed is: 1. A motorized cart controlled by a radio frequency signal comprising: a receiver configured to detect a signal emitted from a transmitter; a signal processor, in communication with the receiver, configured to determine a relative position of the transmitter based on a phase difference between the signal received on a first antenna and the signal received on a second antenna, and to generate first and second drive control signals from the signals received on the first and second antennas; and motor control circuitry, in communication with the signal processor, configured to drive a first drive motor based on the first drive control signal and drive a second drive motor based on the second drive control signal so as to move a location of the motorized cart, wherein the motorized cart maintains a predetermined distance from the transmitter, and further wherein the first and second drive control signals prevent the first and second drive motors from moving the cart when the cart is within a predetermined distance from the transmitter. 2. The motorized cart of claim 1, further comprising: an assembly for holding golf-related items. 3. The motorized cart of claim 1, wherein the relative position includes a right/left value and a back/forwards value. 4. The motorized cart of claim 1, wherein the receiver includes a right antenna and a right channel, and a left antenna and a left channel. 5. A method of controlling a driverless, motorized cart, comprising the steps of: receiving a radio-frequency signal at the cart on a first antenna and a second antenna from a transmitter; determining a location of the transmitter from the received radio-frequency signal; calculating a left/right direction of the cart in relation to the transmitter from a phase difference between the radio-frequency signal received on a first antenna and the radio-frequency signal received on a second antenna; calculating a distance between the location of the transmitter and a location of the cart from an amplitude of the received radio-frequency signal on the first and second antennas; comparing the distance to a predetermined value; in response to the distance being greater than the predetermined value, generating first and second drive control signals from the distance and left/right direction that respectively and independently control a first and a second drive motor causing movement of the cart toward the transmitter so as to maintain a predetermined distance from the transmitter; and in response to the distance being within the predetermined value, generating first and second drive control signals that prevent the first and second drive motors from moving the cart. 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the steps of: monitoring respective current draw from the first drive motor and the second drive motor; and adjusting torque of the first and second drive motors in response to the monitored current draw. 7. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of: upon detecting a signal strength of the radio-frequency signal from the transmitter below a predetermined threshold, disabling the motorized cart. 8. The method of claim 5 wherein the radio-frequency signal is a modulated radio-frequency signal. 9. A motorized golf cart system comprising: a transmitter configured to emit a modulated signal; a receiver configured to detect the modulated signal; a signal processor, in communication with the receiver, configured to determine a relative position of the transmitter based on a phase difference between the modulated signal received on a first antenna and the modulated signal received on a second antenna, and generate first and second drive control signals from the modulated signals received on the first and second antennas; and motor control circuitry, in communication with the signal processor, configured to drive a first drive motor based on the first drive control signal and drive a second drive motor based on the second drive control signal so as to move a location of the motorized cart, wherein the motorized cart maintains a predetermined distance from the transmitter, and further wherein the first and second drive control signals prevent the first and second drive motors from moving when the cart is within a predetermined distance of the transmitter. 10. The motorized golf cart system of claim 9, wherein the receiver includes a right antenna and a right channel, and a left antenna and a left channel. 11. The motorized golf cart system of claim 9, further comprising: a battery charge circuit coupled with a power source of the motorized golf cart; and a port configured to receive the transmitter and recharge a transmitter power source. 12. The motorized golf cart system of claim 9, further comprising: a smart battery charger configured to avoid overcharging. 13. The motorized golf cart system of claim 9 wherein the transmitter is on-board a second motorized cart. 14. The motorized golf cart system of claim 9, wherein if communication between the transmitter and the receiver is interrupted, the transmitter is configured to be powered off and reset. 15. The motorized golf cart system of claim 9, wherein the modulated signal is configured such that it does not interfere with a second, paired cart and transmitter. 16. The motorized golf cart system of claim 9, wherein if the modulated signal is not detected by the receiver, a brake of the motorized cart is automatically applied. 17. The motorized golf cart system of claim 9, wherein if the motorized cart is activated and does not move for a preset time, then the cart is configured to be deactivated. 18. A motorized cart system comprising: a transmitter configured to emit a modulated signal; a receiver including a first antenna coupled to a first side of the cart and a second antenna coupled to an opposing second side of the cart, the receiver configured to detect the modulated signal; a signal processor, in communication with the receiver, configured to determine a relative position of the transmitter based on a phase difference between the modulated signal received on the first antenna and the modulated signal received on the second antenna, and generate first and second drive control signals from the modulated signals received on the first and second antennas; motor control circuitry, in communication with the signal processor, configured to drive a first drive motor based on the first drive control signal and drive a second drive motor based on the second drive control signal so as to move a location of the motorized cart, the signal processor further configured to monitor respective current draw from the first drive motor and the second drive motor and adjust a torque of the first and second drive motors in response to the monitored current draw; a battery charge circuit coupled with a power source of the motorized golf cart; and a port of the battery charge circuit configured to receive the transmitter and recharge a transmitter power source, wherein the motorized cart maintains a predetermined distance from the transmitter, and wherein the first and second drive control signals prevent the first and second drive motors from moving when the cart is within a predetermined distance of the transmitter, and wherein the battery charge circuit switches to a maintenance state when the transmitter power source is fully recharged to avoid overcharging.