JPH04305710A - Cart management system in golf course - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain a central monitoring system for concentrically managing the operation of carts in a golf course. CONSTITUTION:A guide loop 3 is wired on the cart road of the golf course and each cart 1 is guided to travel along the loop 3. One or more blocking sections are set up in each hole in accordance with a distance from a tea ground up to a green and a fixed point element 6 and a ground point element 5 are arranged on a cart stop position in each blocking section. The fixed point element 6 forcedly stops a cart on a fixed position and the ground point element 5 communicates with the stopped cart and transmits ground point information to the cart. The cart 1 transmits the ground point information and cart information including a cart number to a central device 4 through the guide loop 3 and waits an advancement permission or waiting command. The central device 4 generates a command to the cart and executes the concentrical management of all carts in the course.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for managing the progress of each party at a golf course.

0002

[Prior Art] Golf competitions are originally a competition that requires strong self-regulation from the players, but golf courses require a lot of effort, such as coordinating the progress of the game between the leading party and the following party, and adjusting the flow of the course. There are many things that managers must consider.

[0003] Generally, managers such as a front desk, caddy master, caddy, and starter are stationed at a golf course, and players start playing according to the instructions of these managers. The caddy carries the equipment of the competitors, and once the competition has started, the caddy confirms that the leading party is out of range before allowing the succeeding party to start the competition, and gives advice on how to attack the holes. One of the caddies' important jobs is to monitor the flow of the hole and encourage progress in case of stagnation.

However, due to the recent chronic shortage of manpower, golfers are now using hand-pushed carts that carry equipment and are carried by the players themselves, without a caddy, or carts that run on their own paths. There is a place.

[0005] Self-propelled carts use a rail running system (1985-1983) in which the carts run on rails laid along a course.
30530) or on the cart road formed along the course, the magnetic field strength due to the induction signal current passed through the induction loop wire is detected on the cart, and the left and right steering signals are extracted and guided. An induction loop method, in which a cart is guided along a loop line, is known. Also,
There are two power supply systems for driving carts, one using a power supply line and one using a battery power supply.The former is a power supply line system, and the latter is a battery system.

[0006]

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] According to the golf course that uses the above-mentioned carts, the competition can be played without a caddy, so the progress of the competition is essentially left to the autonomous management of the players. However, there is a problem in that the administrator cannot perform sufficient safety management and operational management.

However, if carts are viewed as vehicles that run on a predetermined running route, if the position information of each cart is centrally managed, the position information of each cart can be processed to obtain competition management information on the course. It is possible.

An object of the present invention is to realize a golf course cart management system that centrally manages players on the course by using a guided loop line as an information transmission path.

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, a golf course cart management system according to the present invention includes a central device, a guiding loop line, a fixed point device, a point device, and a cart. In this cart management system, the central device guides the running of the cart through a guiding loop line, communicates with the cart, and displays all cart display information on the course using cart display information including cart position information as input. Furthermore, it manages the blockage sections set on each hole, and outputs a progress permission command or a standby command to each cart so that one cart is occupied exclusively within one blockage section, and the guidance loop line is connected to the center. The device is installed along the cart travel path between all the holes of the golf course, and transmits cart guidance signals emitted from the central device to guide the steering of the cart, and also transmits cart display information to the central device. It serves as a transmission path between carts, and the fixed point is connected to the teeing ground of each hole,
It is installed at the cart stop position corresponding to the standard ball hitting point set in advance between the greens, and automatically stops the running cart. It has a function to communicate with the cart and send cart position information to the cart, and a closed section is formed between two adjacent points on the course, and the cart is a self-propelled trolley. There is a function to detect and stop the fixed pointer, a function to emit electric waves to the pointer and receive cart position information from the pointer, and a function to communicate with the central device through the induction loop line and send the cart display information to the central device. The cart has a transmission function and is equipped with a power supply, and the power supply mounted on the cart is a power source for communication with the pointer.

0010

[Operation] When the cart reaches a preset stopping position by the fixed pointer, the power supply installed on the cart is used as the power source to communicate with the pointer at the stopping position, and the cart receives position information, and receives this position information and the cart number. information to a central device. The central device displays the stopping positions of all carts on the course and their cart numbers, and one closed section is defined as a closed section between two points set at each hole on the course.
Safety on the course is ensured by issuing commands to advance or standby to each cart so that one cart is exclusively occupied.

[0011] In addition, it manages the position information of all carts on the course, provides each cart with various service information specific to each hole, and also sends the scores of competitors to a central device and tallies them. By processing the kart position information in terms of time, it is possible to issue a race delay warning, and also provide information such as start time advance notice and kart operation status to waiting competitors.

0012

[Embodiments] Examples of the present invention will be explained below with reference to the drawings. Figure 2 shows the half-round (out course 1st hole ~
9th hole) of the golf course. The following explanation is exactly the same for the in-course case. A cart path 2 along which a cart 1 runs is provided along the course. On a course using a self-propelled cart, the cart 1 automatically stops at least near the teeing ground and green of each hole, and also automatically stops at one to several locations along the fairway depending on the length of the hole. For example, the first hole is a long hole. Cart 1 automatically stops at two locations along the fairway in addition to the teeing ground and green. The stopping positions of the cart are indicated by □, △, and ○, respectively. The same applies to other holes.

In the present invention, at least one closed section is formed through the green of each hole. Normally, the stopping position of cart 1 is set according to the expected one-shot distance, so in a self-propelled cart,
It is convenient to set one blockage section between the front and rear stop positions as a reference. Therefore, in the example course of FIG. 2, a total of 18 closed sections B1 to B18 are set.

An induction loop line (hereinafter referred to as a loop line) 3 is buried in the cart path 2 to guide the running of the cart, and the cart side detects the magnetic field strength due to the induction signal current passed through the loop line 3, and A method of steering control is used. The loop line 3 is connected to a central device 4, and the induction signal current is output from the central device 4. This cart guidance system itself is conventionally known.

In the present invention, communication is carried out between the central device 4 and the carts that have reached each stop position in the closed section through the loop line 3, and cart display information including the position information and cart number information of the cart 1 is sent to the central device 4. This information is managed by the central device 4, and commands for permission to proceed or standby, as well as other commands and information, are transmitted to each cart 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the first hole. In the following embodiments, the first hole will be explained, but the other holes have exactly the same configuration. Note that the area between the holes is an unoccluded section B0. At the stop position of the cart, there is a pointer 5 (
51, 52,...) are installed, and the fixed point 6 (6
1, 62, 63,...) are installed. therefore,
The closed section is the distance between the front and rear pointers, that is, |51
-52|, |52-53|, |53-54|, The pointer 5 communicates with the cart 1 and transmits the cart's position information to the cart 1, and the fixed pointer 6 uses optical, magnetic, or other means to notify the cart 1 that is traveling toward a stop position. This commands automatic stop.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the system. The central device 4 basically includes a guidance signal transmitter 7 and an information transmitter/receiver 8. The guidance signal transmitter 7 transmits a guidance signal current to the loop line 3, and the cart 1 is steered in the traveling direction by detecting this guidance signal current. The information transmitting/receiving section 8 is coupled to the loop line 3 via the coupling section 9, and transmits various information to the loop line 3 to communicate with the cart 1. The information transmitting/receiving section 8 is connected to a central processing section 10 , and the central processing section 10 includes a display section 11 . The central processing unit 10 has a function of outputting a command to the information transmitting/receiving unit 8 to sequentially call all the carts on the course, and a function of outputting a command to the information transmitting/receiving unit 8 to sequentially call all carts on the course. It has a function of displaying display information, a function of creating cart control information, a function of outputting command contents to the information transmitting/receiving section 8, and other service functions. The cart display information is displayed on the display section 11.

The main content of the cart control information is, as shown in FIG. 4, an instruction to allow the cart to advance in a blocked section or to wait. FIG. 4 shows 1
This is an example in which one cart is exclusively managed in a closed section. In the diagram, ■ to ■ indicate cart 1, G is permission to advance the cart, and R
is a standby command. As will be explained later, when the cart 1 receives the G command, the cart 1 can start, and when it receives the R command, the cart 1 cannot start.

The cart basically includes a running function section 12,
Fixed point detection section 13, point detection section 14, and information transmission/reception section 15
, both of which are controlled by the information processing unit 16,
This is a self-propelled trolley that is equipped with a battery 17 and uses the battery 17 as a driving source. Moreover, the battery 17 is
It is used for the point detection unit 14 and other driving sources. Travel function section 1
2 includes a drive detection section 18 and a drive device 19. The drive detection unit 18 detects running and stopping of the cart as well as the induced current in the loop wire 3, compares the strength of the left and right magnetic fields in the traveling direction, and outputs a steering signal to the drive device 19. The drive device 19 is a steering mechanism including wheels, receives a steering signal as input, and guides the cart 1 to travel along the loop line 3 while steering the wheels so that the left and right magnetic field strengths are balanced. Running and stopping of the cart 1 can be freely controlled manually using the drive control panel 20 except at fixed points.

The fixed point detection section 13 detects the fixed point 6 when the cart 1 approaches the stop position of the closed section, and when the detection signal is input to the information processing section 16,
A braking signal is output from the information processing unit 16 to the drive device 19, and the cart 1 is automatically stopped at a predetermined stop position. From then on, the cart 1 waits for a command from the central device 4.

The point detection section 14 is composed of a power wave transmitting section 21 and a point information receiving section 22. Power wave transmitter 21
After the cart 1 has stopped, a predetermined power wave is outputted toward the pointer 5 through the coil 21a based on a command from the information processing section 16.

The point information receiving section 22 receives the point information transmitted from the point device 5 as a response to the power wave transmission to the coil 22a.
and inputs it to the information processing section 16.

The information transmitting/receiving section 15 communicates between the cart 1 and the central device 4 through the loop wire 3 from the coil 15a when the cart 1 is stopped at the starting end of the closed section, and receives information from the central device. The point information outputted from the information processing unit 16 in response to the call, the cart number and other information unique to a specific cart are transmitted to the central device 4, and the commands and other information transmitted from the central device 4 are sent to the central device 4. It is received and input to the information processing section 16. The inputted cart advance or standby command is output to the drive device 19 and sent to the drive control panel 20.
, and other information is displayed on the display section 23.

The pointer 5 has a power wave receiving coil 24, a power generation section 25, a point information transmitting section 26, and a point information transmitting coil 27, and the cart 1 is connected to the fixed pointer 6.
After reaching the point, the power wave receiving coil 24 receives the power wave emitted from the power transmitter 21 of the cart 1, activates the power generator 25, and uses the generated power as a power source to activate the point information transmitter 26. , point information corresponding to the stop position of the cart is transmitted from the transmitting coil 27 toward the cart 1. FIG. 5 shows the sequence of the system of the present invention.

In FIG. 4, when the cart of the first group party indicated by ■ is at the stopping position on the teeing ground of the first hole, all the closed sections as well as the first closed section B1 are opened (G) and the cart cannot proceed. It is possible. After the cart ■ leaves the teeing ground, the first blocked section is locked (R), and the second party's cart ■ is placed on standby. When the first party hits the second shot and advances the cart ■ into the second blocked section B2, the first blocked section B1 is opened (G)
Therefore, the cart (2) of the second group of parties can be advanced into the first blocked section. In the same manner, lock the blocked section that the preceding party entered as the competition progressed (R), open the blocked section that they left (G), and sequentially accept the carts of the succeeding party ■, ■, ■, ... After hole-out of the first hole, the player advances to the second hole, allows one party to occupy the cart in one blocked section, and continues the game while maintaining a safe distance between the preceding party and the following party. Note that while the cart 1 is running, even if there is a call from the central device 4, the cart does not respond.

In the embodiments described above, the pointer information at the cart stop position and the cart number information are transmitted to the central device 4, and the cart 1 enters the next blocked section after waiting for a command from the central device 4. , or wait, but the central device 4 displays the display unit 11 based on each cart information.
By displaying cart display information exclusive to each blocked section at the top, the progress of the competition can be grasped at a glance, and various types of management can be easily performed based on the situation.

[0027] For example, it is possible to calculate the exclusive time of a cart that occupies a specific blocked section, and compare that exclusive time with a predetermined standard time to find out the delay or progress of the competition.
When necessary, a warning can be issued to the late party.

The information content between the central device 4 and the cart 1 can be set freely. For example, service information such as the topography of the course and how to conquer the course can be provided visually or aurally to the cart competitors for the party during the competition.

Furthermore, from the cart side, the scores of each player for each hole can be transmitted to the central device and tallied by the central device, and the number of rounds of the course can be ascertained by the central device. Information transmission is not limited to between the central device and the cart. Advance notice of start time and cart operation status can be provided as service information to subsequent parties who are waiting.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention, the stopping positions of the carts are set in advance on the course, and the loop line for guiding the cart is used as the information transmission path to display information about the carts that have reached each stopping position. While monitoring and managing from a central device,
Appropriate instructions can be given to each cart, and in particular, stopping positions can be set at both ends of the blocked section to control one blocked section so that one cart is exclusively used to provide effective safety management, operational management, and service information. It can be performed. Furthermore, according to the present invention, maintenance is easy because it is only necessary to add a pointer to the fixed point position where the cart is to be stopped, and there is no need for any equipment work such as power supply equipment, equipment boxes, cables, etc. on the course. Yes, it does not interfere with the beauty of the course or interfere with the competition. Therefore, it can be easily applied to existing golf courses.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the system.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a golf course to which the system of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing details of a blocked section.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the procedure for allowing the cart to proceed and issuing a standby command.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the sequence of the system.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Cart 2 Cart path 3 Induction loop wire 4 Central device 5 Point child 6 Fixed point child 7 Guidance signal transmitter 8 Information transmitting and receiving section 10 Central processing section 12 Driving function section 13 Fixed point detection part 14 Point detection section 15 Information transmitting and receiving section 16 Information processing department 17 Battery 21 Power wave transmitter 22 Point information receiving section

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A cart management system for a golf course comprising a central device, a guiding loop line, a fixed pointer and a pointer, and a cart, the central device guiding the running of the cart through the guiding loop line, and It communicates with the cart, displays all cart display information on the course by inputting the cart display information including the cart position information, and also manages the blocked sections set on each hole.
This system outputs a proceeding permission command or a standby command to each cart so that the cart can be used exclusively, and the guidance loop line is laid along the cart travel path between the central device and all the holes of the golf course. It transmits the cart guidance signal emitted from the device to guide the steering of the cart, and also serves as a transmission path for transmitting cart display information between the central device and the cart. The pointer is installed at the cart stop position corresponding to the standard ball hitting point set in advance between the greens, and automatically stops the running cart. It has a function to communicate with the arriving cart and send cart position information to the cart, and a closed section is formed between two adjacent points on the course, and the cart is self-propelled. It is a trolley with the functions of detecting and stopping the fixed pointer, emitting power waves to the pointer and receiving cart position information from the pointer, communicating with the central device through the induction loop line, and transmitting cart display information to the central device. It has the function of transmitting data to the device, is equipped with a power supply,
A golf course cart management system characterized in that a power supply mounted on the cart is a power source for communication with a pointer.