Electronic command station for a golf bag

Abstract

The present invention relates to a conventionally shaped golf bag for carrying golf clubs and accessories. The golf bag is open at the top end for insertion of golf clubs, includes a shoulder strap, a stand, and an electronic command station. The electronic command station includes a number of modules, enabling the communication and its control by a command station application operating in association with a mobile electronic device. The communication module may be a transceiver wirelessly connecting between the mobile electronic device and a cellular telephone network. The electronic command station may include a display, a rechargeable battery, and one or more electronics connection ports for communicating with and charging one or more mobile electronic devices. The electronic command station is mounted in association with the external face of a golf bag such that the display is externally accessible.

1 . An electronic command station for a golf bag comprising:
 at least one device module, for controlling functionality of a device;   a communication module, for communicating with at least one mobile electronic device;   a micro-processing module, for physically controlling the at least one device module; and   an application operating in association with the mobile electronic device and one of the at least one device module, whereby the application logically controls the functionality of the one of the at least one device module.   
     
     
         2 . The electronic command station of  claim 1  further comprising a display physically associated with the golf bag, the application further generating visual output on the display. 
     
     
         3 . The electronic command station of  claim 2  further comprising a user input device physically associated with the golf bag, the application further being alternately controlled by the input device. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic command station of  claim 1  wherein the communication module further provides for communicating with at least one electronic data network. 
     
     
         5 . The electronic command station of  claim 4  wherein one of the at least one electronic data network is a cellular telephone network. 
     
     
         6 . The electronic command station of  claim 1  wherein the communication module comprises a transceiver implementing one or more point to point wireless communications protocols. 
     
     
         7 . The electronic command station of  claim 6  wherein the point to point wireless communication protocols are selected from one or more of ad hoc communications protocol, Bluetooth®, cellular, WiFi, WIMAX, ZigBee, IEEE 802.15, and Z-wave. 
     
     
         8 . The electronic command station of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a battery; and 
 one or more electronics connection ports operably connected to the battery, each of the one or more electronics connection ports being configured to provide electrical power to an electronic device toward powering the electronic device. 
 
     
     
         9 . The electronic command station of  claim 8  wherein the battery is rechargeable, the electronic command station further comprising a battery charging module operably connected between the battery and an external power source. 
     
     
         10 . The electronic command station of  claim 1  further comprising a camera operably associated with the micro-processing module. 
     
     
         11 . The electronic command station of  claim 10  further comprising
 an electronic component housing having a front face, the electronic component housing being physically associated with the display screen; and 
 an extension member operably connected between the camera and the front face of the electronic component housing. 
 
     
     
         12 . A golf bag comprising:
 a main pocket configured to hold one or more golf clubs, the main pocket having an external face;   an electronic command station mounted in association with the external face of the main pocket, the electronic command station including:   at least one device module, for controlling functionality of a device;   a communication module, for communicating with at least one mobile electronic device;   a micro-processing module, for the physical control of the at least one device module;   an application operating in association with the at least one mobile electronic device and one of the at least one device module, whereby the application logically controls the functionality of the one of the at least one device module; and   a battery operably connected to the electronic command station.   
     
     
         13 . The golf bag of  claim 12  further comprising a display mounted on the external face of the main pocket such that visual output of the application is visible in association with the golf bag. 
     
     
         14 . The golf bag of  claim 13  further comprising a user input device physically associated with the external face of the main pocket, the application further being alternately controlled by the user input device. 
     
     
         15 . The golf bag of  claim 12  wherein the communication module further provides for communicating with at least one electronic data network. 
     
     
         16 . The golf bag of  claim 12  wherein the communication module comprises a transceiver implementing one or more point to point wireless communications protocols. 
     
     
         17 . The golf bag of  claim 12  further comprising one or more electronics connection ports operably connected to the battery, each of the one or more electronics connection ports being configured to provide electrical power to an electronic device toward powering the electronic device. 
     
     
         18 . The golf bag of  claim 17  further comprising a pull-out tray in physical proximity to the one or more electronics connection ports, the pull-out tray dimensioned to physically receive and support at least one electronic device. 
     
     
         19 . The golf bag of  claim 12  further comprising an audio speaker operably connected to the electronic command station. 
     
     
         20 . The golf bag of  claim 12  further comprising a refrigerator operably connected to and controlled by the electronic command station.