Golf Assistance System, Cup Unit for Golf Assistance System, Pin Unit for Golf Assistance System, Communication Center for Golf Assistance System, Terminal Device for Golf Assistance System, Golf Ball for Golf Assistance System, Auxiliary Equipment for Golf Assistance System, Auxiliary Pin for Golf Assistance System, Cart Unit for Golf Assistance System, and Auxiliary Terminal Device for Golf Assistance System

This application is a continuation application under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) of International Patent Application PCT/JP2023/002157 filed on Jan. 24, 2023, and designated the U.S., the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present disclosure relates to a golf assistance system that assists a user playing golf, a cup unit for the golf assistance system, a pin unit for the golf assistance system, a communication center for the golf assistance system, a terminal device for the golf assistance system, a golf ball for the golf assistance system, an auxiliary equipment for the golf assistance system, an auxiliary pin for the golf assistance system, a cart unit for the golf assistance system, and an auxiliary terminal device for the golf assistance system.

An assistance system has been devised to provide assistance information for assisting golf playing to a user (golfer) who plays golf. For example, using the IC golf ball capable of transmitting GPS distance measurement data, a flight trajectory of the IC golf ball is generated based on distance measurement data and the information such as advice, scores, and the like are presented to the user based on the generated trajectory (refer to Patent Literature 1).

However, in the related technique, since distance measurement data from an IC golf ball is used, factors such as the posture and form of a user are not considered. In addition, the technique is intended to assist improvement in golf playing and doesn't sufficiently consider enhancement of enjoyment during golf playing.

Therefore, in the golf assistance system, there is room for improvement in enhancing the enjoyment of the user during golf playing.

One of the objects of the present disclosure is to provide a golf assistance system that has been devised in light of the above-described problems and that can enhance the enjoyment during golf playing of a user. In addition, the present disclosure is not limited to this object, and another object of the present disclosure is to achieve an operation effect that is derived from each configuration illustrated in “DETAILED DESCRIPTION” to be described later, and that cannot be obtained by the related technique.

(1) A golf assistance system according to the present disclosure is a golf assistance system for assisting in golf playing in which a user strikes a golf ball using a golf club in a golf playing area, the golf assistance system including a cart unit attached to a cart serving as a means of transportation in the golf playing area, the cart unit including a cart camera configured to capture a video around a periphery of the cart, a generation means configured to generate, based on data of the video captured by the cart camera, assistance information for providing a predetermined assistance content to the user, and a presentation means configured to present the assistance content based on the assistance information.

(2) Further, the present disclosure also relates to the cart unit used in the golf assistance system according to (1).

(3) Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to an auxiliary equipment in the golf assistance system according to (1), the auxiliary equipment being disposed to provide the user with a guide in a driving direction of the golf ball, the auxiliary equipment including a plate portion serving as a mark of a cup, a ball position mark disposed separately from the plate portion in a horizontal direction, and a laser light source configured to irradiate the user with laser light for a ball driving direction guide.

(4) Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to an auxiliary pin in the golf assistance system according to (1), the auxiliary pin being disposed to provide the user with a guide in a driving direction of the golf ball, the auxiliary pin including a rod-shaped pin disposed behind the cup, and a laser light source attached to the pin and configured to irradiate the user with laser light for a ball driving direction guide.

(5) Further, a golf assistance system of the present disclosure is a golf assistance system for assisting golf playing of a user in a golf playing area, the golf assistance system including a cup unit attached to a cup provided in the golf playing area, the cup unit including a detection means configured to detect information indicating that a golf ball has dropped into the cup, and a first transmission device configured to transmit the information indicating that the ball has dropped into the cup to an outside, a pin unit attached to a rod-shaped pin serving as a mark of the cup, the pin unit including a first capturing means configured to capture a video around a periphery of the pin, and a second transmission device configured to transmit the data of the video captured by the first capturing means to the outside, a communication center including a first reception device configured to receive at least one of the information indicating that the ball has dropped into the cup, transmitted from the first transmission device and the data of the video transmitted from the second transmission device, a control device configured to generate assistance information for providing a predetermined assistance content to the user based on at least one of the information indicating that the ball has dropped into the cup and the data of the video, and a third transmission device configured to transmit the assistance information to the outside, and a terminal device capable of being carried by the user, the terminal device including a second reception device configured to receive the assistance information transmitted from the third transmission device, and a presentation device configured to present the assistance content based on the assistance information.

(6) The present disclosure also relates to a cup unit used in the golf assistance system according to (5).

(7) The present disclosure also relates to a pin unit used in the golf assistance system according to (5).

(8) The present disclosure also relates to a communication center used in the golf assistance system according to (5).

(9) The present disclosure also relates to a terminal device used in the golf assistance system according to (5).

(10) Further, a golf assistance system of the present disclosure is a golf assistance system for assisting golf playing of a user in a golf playing area, the golf assistance system including a golf ball including a ball main body struck in the golf playing, a storage unit of ID information capable of identifying the ball main body, a ball striking sensor configured to detect ball striking information including at least information indicating that the ball main body is struck and position information after the ball main body is struck, and a first transmission device configured to transmit the ball striking information to the outside, a cup unit including a sensor configured to detect information indicating that the golf ball has dropped into a cup provided in the golf playing area, and a second transmission device configured to transmit the information indicating that the ball has dropped into the cup to the outside, a communication center including a first reception device configured to receive the ball striking information from the first transmission device and to receive the information indicating that the ball has dropped into the cup from the second transmission device, a control device configured to generate assistance information for providing a predetermined assistance content to the user based on at least one of the ball striking information and the information indicating that the ball has dropped into the cup, and a third transmission device configured to transmit the assistance information to an outside, and a terminal device capable of being carried by the user, the terminal device including a second reception device configured to receive the assistance information transmitted from the third transmission device, and a presentation device configured to present the assistance content based on the assistance information.

(11) The present disclosure also relates to a golf ball used in the golf assistance system according to (10).

(12) The present disclosure also relates to a cup unit used in the golf assistance system according to (10).

(13) The present disclosure also relates to a communication center used in the golf assistance system according to (10).

(14) The present disclosure also relates to a terminal device used in the golf assistance system according to (10).

(15) Further, a golf assistance system of the present disclosure is a golf assistance system for assisting golf playing of a user in a golf playing area, the golf assistance system including a golf ball including a ball main body struck in the golf playing, a storage unit of ID information capable of identifying the ball main body, a ball striking sensor configured to detect ball striking information including at least information indicating that the ball main body is struck and position information after the ball main body is struck, and a transmission device configured to transmit the ball striking information to the outside, a cup unit attached to a cup provided in the golf playing area, the cup unit including a detection means configured to detect information indicating that the golf ball has dropped into the cup, and a first transmission device configured to transmit the information indicating that the ball has dropped into the cup to the outside, a pin unit attached to a pin formed of a rod-shaped member detachably attached to the cup and configured to serve as a mark of the cup, the pin unit including a first capturing means configured to capture a video around a periphery of the pin, and a second transmission device configured to transmit the data of the video captured by the first capturing means to the outside, a communication center including a first reception device configured to receive at least one of the ball striking information transmitted from the transmission device, the information indicating that the ball has dropped into the cup and transmitted from the first transmission device, and the data of the video transmitted from the second transmission device, a control device configured to generate assistance information for providing a predetermined assistance content to the user based on at least one of the ball striking information, the information indicating that the ball has dropped into the cup, and the data of the video, and a third transmission device configured to transmit the assistance information to the outside, and a terminal device capable of being carried by the user, the terminal device including a second reception device configured to receive the assistance information transmitted from the third transmission device, and a presentation device configured to present the assistance content based on the assistance information.

(16) Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to an auxiliary equipment in the golf assistance system according to (5), (10), or (15), the auxiliary equipment being disposed to provide the user with a guide in a driving direction of the golf ball, the auxiliary equipment including a plate portion serving as a mark of the cup provided on a rolling surface of the golf ball, a ball position mark disposed separately from the plate portion in a horizontal direction, and a laser light source configured to irradiate the user with laser light for a ball driving direction guide.

(17) Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to an auxiliary pin in the golf assistance system according to (5), (10), or (15), the auxiliary pin being disposed to provide the user with a guide in a driving direction of the golf ball, the auxiliary pin including a rod-shaped pin disposed behind the cup, and a laser light source attached to the pin and configured to irradiate the user with laser light for a ball driving direction guide.

According to the disclosed golf assistance system, it is possible to enhance the enjoyment during golf playing of a user.

In the following embodiments, a golf assistance system according to an embodiment will be described.

A golf assistance system is a system that assists a user (golfer) in playing golf in a golf playing area. As used herein, golf playing refers to striking a golf ballwith a golf clubin a golf area.

The golf playing area is a facility for playing golf. As is well known, the purpose of golf playing is to strike a golf ball into a hole called a cup (a ball has dropped into a cup). The golf playing area includes an outdoor golf course (a golf course) for playing golf and an indoor golf practice course for practicing golf.

is an explanatory view of a present golf assistance system S (hereinafter simply referred to as a “system”) according to a first embodiment.

In the first embodiment, an example in which the present system S is applied to an outdoor golf course (an example of a golf playing area) will be described. In the outdoor golf course, one hole (one course) is provided with at least a teeing ground T for hitting the golf balland a green G provided with a cupfor receiving the golf ball (hereinafter also simply referred to as a “ball”).

The present system S illustrated inis used in a partial area in an outdoor golf course. Specifically, the present system S is used in an area including a green G in which the cupis provided, in the outdoor golf course. As another example, the present system S is used in the entire area of an outdoor golf course (an entire area from the teeing ground T to the green G of each hole).

The present system S is provided with a cup unitattached to the cupon the green G, a pin unitattached to a pin (a flag rod)arranged on the cup, and a cart unitattached to a cart, as a mechanism for acquiring information on golf playing (golf playing information).

In addition to these units,, and, the present system S includes a communication centerthat integrally manages the present system S and a terminal deviceowned by the user. The devicestoin the present system S are connected to each other via a wireless communication network so as to be able to exchange data, and can be operated in cooperation with each other. The wireless communication network is a network conforming to a well-known wireless communication standard such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

The outline of the present system S is that the communication centergenerates assistance information based on the golf playing information acquired by the units,, and, the communication centertransmits the assistance information to the terminal deviceor the like, and the terminal deviceor the like provides the user with an assistance content based on the generated assistance information. That is, in the present system S, each of the devicestocooperates via a network to provide bidirectionally (interactively) the assistance content with respect to the golf playing of the user.

The golf playing information includes various types of video data and sensor detection data acquired by the units,, and.

In the present specification, the assistance content is various contents that contribute to enhancing the enjoyment during golf playing of a user.

Specific examples of the assistance content include presentation of various kinds of measurement data related to a golf playing result and a video image of a play result (that is, feedback to the golf playing result), banner advertisement video, advertisement voice, music, point granting in shops and websites, miles, mileage, stay mileage, discount tickets, service tickets, gift presentation, video games linked to striking, sound production, illumination production, advice to the user's golf playing, a caddie function (guide/explanation of a golf course), and the like.

The cup unitis embedded in (attached to) the cup, and is a mechanism for detecting that the golf ballhas dropped into the cup. The cup unitincludes a first control mechanism (a “control mechanism” in the drawing), a first sensor (a first detection means, a “sensor” in the drawing), and a first communication device (a first transmission device, a “communication device” in the drawing).

The first control mechanismis an electrical control device including a processor that controls the cup unit, a storage device, and the like.

The first sensorand the first communication deviceare connected to the first control mechanismso as to be able to exchange data with each other.

The first sensoris a detection means provided to detect information indicating that the golf ballhas dropped into the cup.

As the first sensor, for example, an impact sensor configured to detect the impact of the golf ballthat has dropped into the cupis used. In addition, examples of the first sensorinclude a camera (an AI camera) capable of capturing the golf ballthat has dropped into the cup, a laser sensor, a proximity sensor, and the like.

The first communication deviceis a wireless communication device connected to the communication center(outside) via a wireless communication network. The cup unitcan transmit a detection signal (information indicating that the ball has dropped into the cup) of the first sensorto the communication center(outside) via the first communication device, and can receive the information from the outside.

In addition, the cup unitmay be provided with a cameraX for capturing the periphery of the cup, an acoustic deviceY that includes an amplifier, a speaker, and a microphone and that is capable of inputting and outputting an acoustic signal, an illumination deviceZ, and non-illustrated additional devices such as a power supply and a laser irradiator, that are attachable and detachable with respect to the cup unitor are formed to be integrated with the cup unit. Furthermore, as the sensor, for example, a speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a magnetic sensor, a biometric authentication sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor (a pressure sensor), a temperature sensor, a microphone (a sound pressure sensor), an azimuth sensor, a proximity sensor, a luminance sensor (an ambient light sensor), a human sensor, a wind meter, an anemometer, an infrared sensor, an infrared camera, a snow cover meter (a snow cover meter based on a laser-reflection image or an image captured by a camera), or the like may be provided.

That is, the cupcan be configured as an “AI cup” having multiple functions of automatically detecting the golf balldropping into the cup, outputting a voice, performing a predetermined function with a predetermined voice input such as “Alexa (registered trademark)”, “OK Google (registered trademark)”, or “Hey Siri (registered trademark)” as a trigger, emitting light, and individually identifying the ball. When the ballis identified to have been dropped into the cupby using the cup unit, the inside of the cupmay be illuminated using a light source (an illumination means, the illumination deviceZ in) for illuminating the inside of the cupin the cup unit(cup). As a result, discriminability can be improved when the ballthat has dropped into the cupis identified using the cameraX of the cup unit.

The pin unitis attached to the pinand is provided to acquire information around the periphery of the pin. The pin unitincludes a second control mechanism (a “control mechanism” in the drawing), a first camera (a first capturing means, a “camera” in the drawing), and a second communication device (a second transmission device, a “communication device” in the drawing).

The second control mechanismis an electrical control device including a processor that controls the pin unit, a storage device, and the like.

The first cameraand the second communication deviceare connected to the second control mechanismso as to be able to exchange data with each other.

The first camerais an image sensor provided to capture a video around the periphery of the pinas information around the periphery of the pin. In the present embodiment, the first camerais configured as a “360-degree camera” capable of capturing images in all directions at 360 degrees in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction around the pin. It is noted that the first camerais not limited to the 360-degree camera, and may be a camera that captures an image in a range narrower than 360 degrees. Furthermore, the first cameramay be configured as a 3D camera.

The second communication deviceis a wireless communication device connected to the communication center(outside) via a wireless communication network. Video data captured by the first cameracan be transmitted to the communication center(outside) via the second communication device, or information can be received from the outside via the second communication device.