JPH11325939A - Course guide system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a highly accurate course guide through simple arrangement by disposing means for transmitting position recognition information to a mobile at required positions on a course. SOLUTION: The course guide system for use in golf course comprises a sensor S, e.g. a noncontact tag card, disposed at the shoulder of a cart road L, and a golf cart 1 provided with means for transmitting an electromagnetic wave 3 for generating the power supply thereof and receiving position recognition information from the sensor S alternately. When the cart 1 enters into a specified range from the sensor S, the sensor S can receive the electromagnetic wave 3 and a power thus generated is used for transmitting an ID code 4, i.e., position recognition information set for each sensor. Upon receiving the ID code 4, the cart 1 outputs intersection guide information based on that ID code 4 in the form of voice, or the like. The received ID code 4 is also transmitted to a management station 2 in order to grasp the operating conditions.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a route guidance device capable of providing guidance of a golf cart at a golf course, for example.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in golf courses, it has been general that a caddy is attached to a player to smoothly play. However, recently, golf courses that perform self-play without a caddy have been known in order to reduce operating costs.

[0003]

In the case of self-play, a player must operate a golf back cart for carrying a golf bag, which has been operated by a caddy, and many golf courses require a quick operation. In order to run the play, for example, introducing a passenger cart,
In addition, it is considered that the golf bag is transported to the vicinity of the next play position by a special cart.

An electromagnetic induction type cart dedicated to a golf bag is guided to a guide rail previously laid on a cart path by, for example, remote control, so that the cart proceeds. It is easy to move along. However, a golf course requires a great deal of expense to lay rails on a cart path.

[0005] Further, when the player himself drives the passenger cart, there is no problem if the player already knows the course, but the player who plays for the first time at the golf course may not know the state in the golf course. . In a golf course, in order to encourage such players to play smoothly, a device such as providing a bulletin board such as road guidance on a cart path has been devised. However, a player who is obsessed with playing may overlook the bulletin board and deviate from the route set by the golf course. As a result, there is a danger that an accident may occur if, for example, the operation of the entire golf course is interrupted, or if the player gets lost in a place where entry is prohibited, for example.

Further, if a bulletin board is provided on the cart path, a ball hit by a player may hit and cause inconvenience in playing. Therefore, golf courses have a desire to eliminate bulletin boards and other artifacts placed on the course as much as possible.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve such a problem, the present invention provides a transmitting / receiving means which can alternately perform a process of transmitting electromagnetic waves and a process of receiving position recognition information at predetermined intervals. A storage unit in which guide information corresponding to the route is recorded, and when the position recognition information is received,
A mobile vehicle provided with guide information output means capable of selectively outputting guide information corresponding to the position recognition information;
It is installed at a required position on the route, generates power by receiving the electromagnetic wave, and generates and transmits the position recognition information stored in advance by the power from a position recognition information transmitting unit. And a route guidance device configured to guide a route of the mobile vehicle by the position recognition information transmitting unit.

The moving vehicle is a golf cart,
The position recognition information transmitting means is a non-contact type tag card.

Further, the guide information output means can output information on an intersection or a branch point in the golf course.

Further, the guide information is audio information selected based on the position recognition information of the position recognition information transmitting means.

According to the present invention, the position recognition information transmitting means arranged particularly along the route of the golf course is operated using an electromagnetic wave from a cart (moving vehicle) passing therearound as a power source. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a power supply in itself, so that downsizing and weight reduction can be realized, and it can be easily mounted at any position and the arrangement position can be easily moved.
In addition, route guidance can be individually provided for each cart, for example, by voice. This eliminates the need to arrange a bulletin board or the like for guiding a route.
Further, in a golf course, golf play can proceed smoothly.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a part of a golf course to which the route guidance apparatus of the present invention is applied. In this figure, among a plurality of courses, for example, an A course is relatively close to a management building. Only the first, second, and eighth and ninth holes are shown. The cart path L installed along each hall allows a passenger cart (hereinafter, simply referred to as a cart) 1, 1, 1 which is a vehicle operated by a player to perform self-play, for example, to pass therethrough. Has been. For example, sensors S1, S2, S3,... As position recognition information transmitting means for performing route guidance are provided at required positions on the road shoulder of the cart path L, for example.
S19 and S20 are provided. The sensor S is installed at, for example, the vicinity of a tee ground, a fairway, a green, or the like of each hole along the cart path L, or the vicinity of a branch point or an intersection.

The cart 1 generates a control power supply for the sensor S, so that a transmitting means for transmitting a carrier wave signal as electromagnetic energy and a receiving means for receiving position recognition information (ID data) transmitted from the sensor S, etc. Is provided at any time during the course of traveling on the cart path L.
And can communicate with them.

The management building 2 is provided with an operation management section composed of, for example, a computer so that the manager of the golf course can grasp the operation status of each cart 1, for example.

Here, the communication path of the cart 1 and the sensor S will be described with reference to FIG. Cart 1 is cart path L
During the passage, the electromagnetic waves 3 are transmitted intermittently with a predetermined period. That is, when the cart 1 enters a predetermined range around the sensor S, the sensor S
Can be received. The sensor S transmits an ID code 4 as required position confirmation information set for each sensor with the power generated by the received electromagnetic energy of the electromagnetic wave 3. The ID code 4 having the content corresponding to the arrangement position of each sensor S is stored in advance for each sensor. In cart 1, this I
A D code 4 can be received, and various guide information based on the ID code 4 can be selectively output as, for example, audio information.

The communication distance between the cart 1 and the sensor S is about 7 by using, for example, TIRIS (registered trademark of Texas Instruments).
Communication within a range of 0 cm to 2 m is enabled. That is, only when the cart 1 approaches the distance of about 70 cm to 2 m and receives the electromagnetic wave 3,
The electric power is charged in the sensor S, and a state is established in which communication can be performed. That is, it is possible to provide a simple configuration that does not require a power supply for the sensor S itself. The communication range between the cart 1 and the sensor S is about 70 cm to 2 m.
Therefore, communication is performed within a relatively narrow range, which is suitable for guiding a route. In addition,
The communication means of the cart 1 and the configuration of the sensor S will be described later with reference to FIGS.

As the ID code 4, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, a course identification code 4a, a hole identification code 4b, a route identification code 4c and the like are packetized data, and each sensor S is installed. This is information that can identify the position where the information is recorded. The course identification code 4a corresponds to the code corresponding to the guide information of the course in which the sensor S is arranged, and the hole identification code 4b corresponds to the guide information of the hole in which the sensor S is arranged and the position (such as a tee ground) in the hole. Code. Further, the route identification code 4c is a code corresponding to the guide information at the position where the sensor S is arranged. The cart 1 is provided with a memory table composed of guide information corresponding to each code, as will be described later. The cart 1 receives an ID code 4 from the sensor S, and provides a player with a code based on each identification code. Guide information can be selectively supplied.

Since the cart 1 that has received the ID code 4 can know the current position information of the running or stopped state, the cart 1 uses this current position information as previously filed by the applicant. By transmitting the cart to the management building 2, the position of each cart 1 may be grasped also in the management building 2.

Next, the configurations of the cart 1 and the sensor S will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the communication processing unit 5 provided in the cart 1. The transmission / reception unit 10 is configured by, for example, a resonance circuit. Switch 11 sends /
The switching unit switches the transmission / reception operation of the reception unit 10. Therefore, when the transmission / reception unit 10 performs transmission, the switch 11 is switched to the terminal b side, and the high-frequency power supply unit 12 generates and transmits a carrier signal of a predetermined frequency as the electromagnetic wave 3. After transmitting the electromagnetic wave 3, the switch 11 is switched to the terminal “a” so that the transmission / reception unit 10 performs reception, and the received ID code 4 can be supplied to the reception decoder 12. I have. The switching operation of the switch 11 is repeated at a predetermined interval after the operation of the communication processing unit 5 is started.

The ID code 4 demodulated by the receiving decoder 13 is supplied to a control unit 14. The control unit 14 performs a process of selecting and outputting the guide information stored in the guide memory 16 based on the supplied ID code 4 (course identification code 4a, hole identification code 4b, route identification code 4c). The work memory 15 stores the demodulated ID.
It is configured as a buffer memory for storing the code 4 and a work area for performing required processing for outputting guide information. The ID code 4 stored in the work memory 15 can be held until a new ID code 4 is received.

As will be described later, the guide memory 16 stores guide information corresponding to the course identification code 4a, the hole identification code 4b, and the route identification code 4c as a course guide table, a hole guide table, and a route guide table. In particular, as for the route identification code 4c, as will be described in detail later, route guide tables corresponding to a plurality of courses configured in the golf course are prepared, and depending on the setting from the player or the management building, any one of them can be used. One table is selected.

The voice synthesizer / amplifier 17 has a work memory 15
Performs voice synthesis processing and amplification processing based on the guide information read from the guide memory 16 in accordance with the ID code 4 stored in the. The audio signal generated by the audio synthesizing / amplifying unit 17 is transmitted to a speaker 18.
Output by The display driver 19 generates a drive signal as a video signal based on the guide information, corresponding to the ID code 4 stored in the work memory 15. The display unit 20 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal).
Display), VFD (Vacuum Fluorcent Display), L
It is composed of ED (Light Emitting Diode) etc.
The guide information can be displayed as an image based on the drive signal.

The operation unit 21 can perform a required operation on the communication processing unit 5. For example, the process of outputting the guide information is usually performed in response to the reception of the ID code 4, but various operation keys such as a repeat key are prepared in case the guide information is output again while traveling on the cart path L. Is provided. That is, when the control unit 14 detects that the repeat key is operated, the control unit 14 stores the ID currently stored in the work memory 15.
Processing for outputting guide information is performed based on the code (the latest ID code). The operation unit 21 can also select a route guide table as described above. Hereinafter, the selection status of the route guide table in this case is referred to as course mode selection.

The radio section 22 receives the I
The D code 4 can be transmitted to the management building 2. Thereby, the management building 2 can also grasp the current position of the cart 1.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the sensor S. The transmission / reception unit 30 is configured by, for example, a resonance circuit similarly to the transmission / reception unit 10 in the cart 1. When the transmission / reception unit 30 receives the electromagnetic wave 3 from the cart 1, the charging unit 31 can obtain power for transmission, and the power can generate the ID code 4. That is, when electric power (predetermined electric energy) is generated in the charging unit 31, the control unit 32 uses this electric power to store the I
The data corresponding to the D code 4 is read out, subjected to necessary modulation processing, and supplied to the transmission / reception circuit 30. The memory 33 is formed as, for example, a non-volatile memory, and data corresponding to a required ID code 4 is written from an input terminal (not shown). The writing of this data is performed by a golf course manager or the like for each sensor. When the signal subjected to the modulation processing by the control unit 32 is supplied, the transmission / reception unit 30 generates and transmits the ID code 4 based on the signal.

As described above, when the sensor S receives the electromagnetic wave 3, it is possible to obtain electric power by electromagnetic induction by the electromagnetic wave 3, so that the sensor S itself does not need to have a power supply. I have. Further, since the size of the sensor S can be reduced, it is possible to store the required ID code 4 for each of the plurality of sensors S and then install the sensor S at a required position on the cart path L.
Can be simplified.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a route guide table stored in the guide memory 16 of the cart 1. FIG. 6 (a) shows, for example, an A course, and FIG. 6 (b) shows, for example, a B course. Is shown as a route guide table assuming. As shown in these figures, the route guide table includes a route identification code 4 transmitted from the sensor S.
c “00”, “01”, “02”, “03”... Guide information corresponding to each is stored.

As described above, one of these route guide tables is used according to the course that the player currently using the cart 1 is playing. Thus, for example, if the cart 1 is on the course A, the route guide table shown in FIG. 6A is selected and applied. If the received route identification code 4c is, for example, "01", guide information "turn right" is read. If the received route identification code 4c is "03", the guide information "No entry, please return" is read. If the route identification code 4c is “00”, for example, it is determined that there is no guide information. This is selected when, for example, it is not necessary to instruct the route of the cart 1 as in the case of the sensor S1 shown in FIG.

When the cart 1 is on the course B, for example, the route guide table shown in FIG. 6B is selected and applied. If the received route identification code 4c is, for example, "01", "It is an intersection,
Please pause ”guide information is read. Also, the route identification code 4c received in the same manner is "0
In the case of "3", the guide information "U-turn" will be read.

As described above, by providing the route guide table for each course, even at an intersection where the cart route L extends over a plurality of courses, the route identification code 4c transmitted from the sensor installed there is used. The route corresponding to each course can be instructed accurately. That is, when the route identification code 4c “02” is set in the sensor S installed at the intersection,
It is possible to read out the guide information of "turn left ahead" for cart 1 running on the course, and "turn right now" for cart 1 running on course B.

In the case of a golf course having a course layout in which the route identification code 4c can be used in common for all courses, a plurality of routes as shown in FIGS. A guide table is not always necessary.

The guide memory 16 stores a course guide table and a hole guide table as well as the route guide table. The course guide table shown in FIG.
The guide information “A course” is set corresponding to a “01”, and the guide information “B course” is set corresponding to the course identification code 4a “02”. Guide information is course identification code 4
It is set corresponding to a. Then, in the case of the course identification code 4a “00” as in the case of the route guide table, there is no guide information.

Further, as the hole guide table shown in FIG. 8, for example, the hole identification code 4b "0
The guide information “1st hole, tee ground” is set corresponding to “1”, and the guide information “1st hole, fairway” is also set corresponding to the hole identification code 4b “02”. Guide information of each of the configured holes is set corresponding to the hole identification code 4b. If the hole identification code 4b is "00", it is determined that there is no guide information.

That is, in the case where only a route instruction is given at an intersection or a branch point of the cart road L, the course identification code 4a and the hole identification code 4b are both set to "00" in the relevant sensor. The ID code 4 composed of the route identification code described above may be stored.

For example, as the ID code 4 transmitted from the sensor S1 shown in FIG. 1, the course identification code 4a is "A
"Course" and the hole identification code 4b correspond to the contents of "1st hole, tee ground", for example, a process for outputting a voice message such as "A course, 1st hole tee ground". It can correspond to the guide information. It should be noted that the route identification code 4c is set to “00” corresponding to the absence of guide information. For example, as the ID code 4 transmitted from the sensor S3, the course identification code 4a is "A course",
The hole identification code 4b corresponds to the content of "1st hole, tee ground", and the route identification code 4c is "Please go straight", for example, guide information for performing a process of outputting a voice message. Corresponding “07” is set.

The player who has received the ID code 4 and has grasped the course contents can proceed with the cart 1 to the regular route indicated by the solid line arrow 6a. When the vehicle deviates from the regular route as indicated by the broken line arrow 7a, the ID code 4 from the sensor S5 is received, but the route identification code 4 of the ID code 4 here is received.
The content c is, for example, "03" corresponding to guide information for performing a process of outputting a voice message, such as "no entry, please return". The solid arrows 6b, 6c, and 6d also indicate normal routes, and the broken arrows 7b, 7c, 7d, and 7e also indicate routes deviating from the normal routes.

That is, in the example shown in this figure, the sensors S1, S2,
S4, S7, S8, S10, S11, S12, S13,
For S16, S17 and S20, the route identification code 4c
Is set to “00”, and a sensor S3 for guiding a route,
For S5, S6, S9, S14, S15, S18, and S19, the course identification code 4a, the hole identification code 4
b is set to “00”. However, in the ID data 4 of the sensor S for guiding the route according to the application, a value for selecting the required guide information may be set as the course identification code 4a and the hole identification code 4c.

A process for outputting guide information based on the ID code 4 in the communication processing unit 5 of the cart 1 will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. It should be noted that the flowchart shown in FIG.
An example in which a route guide table corresponding to each of the two types of courses as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B is set will be described. Sent at the start of operation for cart 1 /
The receiving process starts (S001). Thereby, in the cart 1, the switching control of the switch 11 shown in FIG. 4 is started, and the transmission state of the electromagnetic wave 3 and the ID code 4
Is switched. When the cart 1 approaches the sensor S and detects the reception of the ID code 4 (S002), the guide information corresponding to the course identification code is read from the course guide table, and the work memory 15 is read.
(S003), and guide information corresponding to the hole identification code is read from the hole guide table and stored in the work memory 15 (S004).

Then, the course mode set for the cart 1 is determined (S005). Here, when the course A is selected, a reading process of the guide information corresponding to the route identification code is performed in the route guide table for the course A (S006). When the course B is selected as the course mode, a process of reading guide information corresponding to the route identification code in the route guide table for the course B is performed, and the read guide information is stored in the work memory 15. (S007). At this stage, the guide information corresponding to the received ID code 4 is stored in the work memory 15.

As described above, steps S003 to S0
When the reading process of the guide information corresponding to the received ID code 4 is completed according to 07, the voice synthesizing / amplifying unit 17 performs a process for outputting a voice based on the read guide information (S008). ). As a result, guide information corresponding to the ID code 4 is output, for example, from the speaker 18 as audio.

After the reception of the ID code is detected, a process for performing voice output is performed as a series of operations. For example, when a request for repeat output by the operation unit 21 or the like shown in FIG. 1 is detected (S009) ), Based on the guide information detected immediately before and stored in the work memory 15, for example, a process for outputting a voice is performed (S008).

In this flowchart, the case where the guide information is output as audio is taken as an example. However, when the guide information is output using an image, step S00 is performed.
8. The output process in S009 may be performed by the display driver 19 and the display unit 20. Whether the guide information is output by voice or an image may be selected by a player, for example, or may be output by both voice and image. .

When the process of transmitting the received ID code 4 to the management building 2 is performed as described above, for example, the transmission process shown as step S100 is performed, for example, as shown by a broken line or a mark. What is necessary is just to insert before step S008.

Although the above embodiment has been described by taking as an example the guidance of a golf cart operated at a golf course, the present invention is not limited to this as long as it guides vehicles traveling on the road. The invention can be applied.

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention, when detecting the passage of a vehicle, the position recognition information transmitting means installed on the route is supplied with power from the vehicle. Therefore, a simple configuration that does not require a power supply can be achieved. Further, since the vehicle and the position recognition information transmitting means communicate with each other using weak radio waves, communication in a narrow range is enabled. As a result, it is possible to improve the accuracy in performing the route guidance. In addition, since route guidance and the like can be performed, for example, by voice for each vehicle, there is no need to display guidance such as a bulletin board on the road. This makes it possible to reduce the number of objects on the road. Therefore, in a golf course or the like, it is not necessary to install an artificial object in the course that may hinder the play. Also,
By providing voice guidance, even when visibility is poor due to fog, rain, or umbrellas, it is easy to grasp the route.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a part of a golf course to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a communication route of a cart, a sensor, and a management building in a golf course.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of an ID code transmitted from a sensor.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a communication processing unit of a cart.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a sensor.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a route guide table.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a course guide table.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a hole guide table.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a flowchart in the case of performing route guidance.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 cart, 2 administration building, 3 electromagnetic wave, 4 ID data, 5 communication processing unit, 10, 30 transmission / reception unit, 11
Switch, 12 high frequency power supply, 13 reception decoder, 1
4 control unit, 15 work memory, 16 guide memory, 17 voice synthesis / amplification unit, 18 speaker, 19
Display driver, 20 display unit, 21 operation unit, 32 control unit, 33 memory, L cart path, S sensor

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A transmission / reception unit capable of alternately performing a transmission process of an electromagnetic wave and a reception process of position recognition information at a predetermined interval; a storage unit in which guide information corresponding to a route is recorded; A guide information output unit that can selectively output guide information corresponding to the position recognition information when the recognition information is received; and a mobile vehicle including: It comprises a power source by receiving an electromagnetic wave, and a position recognition information transmitting means capable of generating and transmitting the position recognition information stored in advance by the power source. A route guidance device, wherein a route of a car is guided. 2. The route guidance device according to claim 1, wherein the moving vehicle is a golf cart, and the position recognition information transmitting means is a non-contact type tag card. 3. The route guidance device according to claim 1, wherein said guide information output means is capable of outputting information on an intersection or a branch point in the golf course. 4. The route guidance apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide information is audio information selected based on the position recognition information of the position recognition information transmitting means.