WO2003033084A1

WO2003033084A1 - Led marker for golf course and led marking method for golf course using it

Info

Publication number: WO2003033084A1
Application number: PCT/JP2001/009091
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shiro Iwakiri; Kazuo Mizobata; Kiyoshi Yamauchi
Original assignee: Photona Co., Ltd
Priority date: 2000-09-13
Filing date: 2001-10-17
Publication date: 2003-04-24
Also published as: JP2002085612A

Abstract

An LED marker for golf course and an LED marking method for golf course using it in which a marking object, e.g. a pin flag or a yard mark, is made visible even in a rainy or foggy day or in a dark time zone of sunset and a player can play golf quickly and comfortably in safety without recognizing a target erroneously. In the LED marker (1), a case (3) is fixed to the upper part of a pole (2) for pin flag. The case (3) contains an LED light emitting unit (5), solar cell (6), and a battery (7). When the LED light emitting unit (5) is conducted by the battery (7), light is emitted outward from the LED through the wall face of the case (3) while flickering at a specified time interval. The LED marker (1) is preferably provided with an inclination sensor (8) for turning power supply to the LED light emitting unit (5) on/off by detecting inclination of the pole (2). Furthermore, a contact sensor for turning power supply to the LED light emitting unit (5) on/off by detecting contact state between the pole (2) and a cup is preferably provided.

Description

Description LED marking device for marking material for golf course and LED marking method for golf course using this device TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an LED indicating device for indicating an object for golf course such as a pin flag or a yard indicator by LED (light emitting diode), and an LED indication method for a golf course using the device. Background art

Conventionally, golf courses are provided with marking objects such as pin flags and yard signs in each hole of the golf course.

For example, when a player takes a shot, the distance to the target position is calculated based on the yard marking and the optimum club is selected. In addition, when hitting the ball from the fairway toward the green, the target position is set based on the pin flag position.

However, it is difficult to recognize the presence of such a sign for a golf course on a dim time such as sunset or on a bad day such as rain or fog. For this reason, it may be difficult for the player to set a target during the competition, and the target may be shot accidentally. If the goal is misaligned, even if the ball is captured correctly, the result will be a missed shot and the score will drop.

Also, when competing on the green, the pin flag is often defeated, but it is difficult to check the state of the pin flag if it is far away, so the following competitors throw the ball into the green of the previous competitor. In some cases.

In particular, players with low vision and elderly people make such mistakes even in fine weather, and the poor visibility of the markings can also hinder the speed and safety of golf competitions. Yes.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a current situation, such as rain, fog, sunset, etc. LED marking device for golf course markings that can visually recognize markings such as pin flags and yard markings even in dark hours so that players can play safely, quickly and comfortably without making mistakes. It is also an object of the present invention to provide an LED marking method using this device. Disclosure of the invention

An LED marking device for a golf course marking object according to the present invention (claim 1) for solving the above-mentioned problem indicates the position of a marking object such as a pin flag or a yard marking on the golf course, It is characterized by having an LED light emitting unit that blinks LED light at predetermined time intervals on the sign.

The LED marking device of the golf course marking object of the present invention (claim 2) indicates the position of the pin flag of the Gonoref course,

A pin flag pole,

Translucent case fixed to this pole,

And an LED light emitting unit that is housed in the case and blinks the LED light at predetermined time intervals.

Furthermore, the L ED marking device of the golf course marking object of the present invention (claim 3) indicates the position of the yard marking of the Gonoref course,

A post provided at a predetermined yard marking position on the golf course;

A translucent case fixed to the column;

An LED light-emitting unit that is housed in the case and flashes LED light at a predetermined time interval.

According to the LED marking device for a golf course sign according to the present invention (claims 1 to 3), the sign such as a pin flag and a yard sign on the golf course is marked by LED light. The presence of the sign can be easily and reliably known. This makes it possible to set goals quickly and accurately when hitting the ball, making it difficult to make club selection errors.

In the present invention (claims 1 to 3), among the various light sources currently used, the LED is adopted for the following reason. ① LED light does not harm the human eye and is safe.

② The LED can emit light continuously or at regular intervals, either synchronously or asynchronously, so it is easy to call attention.

③ When using LED, power consumption is extremely low compared to other light sources.

④ Using a light bulb such as a tungsten lamp or halogen lamp provides a strong light intensity, but consumes a lot of power and shortens the life of the bulb itself.

In the present invention (Claims 1 to 3), the power source of the LED light emitting unit may be a commercial power source, a storage battery (secondary battery), a dry battery (primary battery), or the like. Moreover, you may make it provide a solar cell in the sunny place in a course.

In the present invention (Claim 2), it is preferable to provide an inclination sensor that detects the inclination of the pole and sets the power source of the LED light emitting unit to OFF.

When competing on the green, you usually remove the pin flag from the cup and hit the putter. When the last player's competition has ended, the pin flag is returned to the cup and the next group is signaled that the competition on the green has ended by flashing again.

According to the tilt sensor, when competing on the green, by defeating the pin flag, the power of the LED light-emitting unit is turned to FF and the blinking of the LED light is stopped. After the competition, the pin flag is put on the cup to turn on the LED light emitting unit and resume blinking the LED light. Since LED light is extremely visible, it can easily and quickly inform people at a distance whether or not they are competing on the green without having to give a signal by voice or hand.

For the same purpose, a contact sensor may be provided at the lower end of the pole instead of the tilt sensor. According to the contact sensor, for example, when the lower end of the pole is moved away from the bottom of the cup, the power source of the LED light emitting unit is turned off.

Also, the golf course LED marking method according to the present invention (claim 6) is a method of marking the usage information of the golf course main and secondary Darin, and the LED marking device is used on both sides of the golf course. It is characterized in that the LED light is blinked at a predetermined time interval, limited to the LED marking device on the side corresponding to either the primary or secondary green.

The golf course LED marking method according to the present invention (claim 7) A method of marking position information of a fucose cup, wherein at least one of the LED light blinking interval and the marking color of the LED marking device is switched according to the position of the cup on the green. Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an LED marking device for a golf course sign according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows an LED marking device for a golf course sign according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view, FIG. 3 shows an LED light emitting unit of a golf course sign according to the first embodiment of the present invention, (A) is a side view, (B) is a plan view, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an LED marking device for a golf course marking according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a usage state of the LED marking device for the golf course marking according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention. FIG. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an LED marking device for a pin flag according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view thereof.

The L ED marking device 1 has a cylindrical case 3 attached to an upper portion of a pole 2 for a pin flag. In this case 3, the LED light emitting unit 5, the solar cell 6, the battery 7 and the inclination sensor 8 are accommodated. When the LED light emitting unit 5 is energized by the battery 7, the LED light is irradiated outside through the wall surface of the case 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, the LED light emitting unit 3 has a unit main body 10 disposed in the upper center of the case 3. LED 1 2 is mounted on the top surface of the unit body 10 in FIG. A drive control circuit for blinking LED 12 is housed inside the unit body 10. When a signal is input to the timer section of the drive control circuit, the LED 12 emits light at a predetermined cycle based on this signal.

As shown in Fig. 3, the position and orientation of L ED 1 2 should be such that LEDs 1 2 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction along the inner peripheral surface of case 3, and these light emitting parts are directed outward. . By providing L ED 1 2 in this way, the entire circumference of the cylindrical surface of case 3 is LE. D light can be emitted evenly, and the athlete can easily recognize the pin flag from any position.

The blinking interval of LED 1 2 can be set arbitrarily. To avoid disturbing the player's concentration during the competition, for example, LED 1 2 should blink at intervals of 2 to 3 seconds.

The light intensity of LED 1 2 should be switched in stages depending on the time of day and the weather. For example, adjusting the light intensity to 3 levels in the middle, morning, evening, nighttime, etc., reduces the burden on the viewer's eyes and helps to save power.

Moreover, you may adjust a light quantity according to the surrounding brightness using an optical sensor. For example, the amount of light on rainy days and fog is less than on sunny days.

As a material for the LED 12, gallium arsenide, gallium phosphide, gallium arsenide phosphide, gallium aluminum arsenide, gallium nitrogen, silicon carbide, or the like can be used.

The color of the LED light can be selected from red, yellow, green, orange, blue, etc. In particular, when yellow (yellow, orange, etc.) is used, visibility can be improved even on cloudy or foggy days. In addition, colors such as red and blue may be used. The solar cell 6 and the battery 7 are provided below the LED light emitting unit 5. The light receiving panel of the solar cell 6 is attached along the inner peripheral surface of the case 3. Battery 7 is charged by the electromotive force of the light receiving panel.

The tilt sensor 8 provided at the lower part of the case 3 detects a predetermined tilt angle of the pole 2 and turns the LED light emitting unit 3 on / off. For example, the power supply is turned on when the tilt angle of pole 2 is in the range of 0 to 45 ° with respect to the vertical direction, and when the tilt angle exceeds 45 °, the power supply is maintained in the OFF state.

A lid 9 is provided at the upper end of the case 3. The lid 9 is detachably attached to the upper end of the case 3 so as to keep the waterproofness inside the case 3. By opening and closing the lid 9, maintenance such as repair and replacement of the LED light emitting unit 3 can be easily performed.

A circular four portion 9a is formed at the center of the upper surface of the lid 9 (see FIG. 2). The flag portion 2a of the pole 2 is fixed to the recess 9a. By adopting such a configuration, it becomes possible to place the arc tube 12 of the LED light emitting unit 3 in the center of the case 3 and irradiate the LED light evenly in the entire direction of the pin flag. Can do. When LED indicator 1 is used as a pin flag, pole 2 is set up at the cup position on the green as shown in Fig.5. That is, the LED marking device 1 can be used in the same way as a normal pin flag.

When the pin flag (LED indicator 1) is standing on the cup, the pole 2 is kept almost vertical, so the tilt sensor 8 turns on the LED light emitting unit 5 and the LED light is emitted at a predetermined time interval. Flashes. As a result, the player can easily check the position of the pin from a distant location, making it easier to aim for the green.

When competing on the green, remove the pin flag (LED marking device 1) from the cup and place it on a place where it will not interfere with the competition. Then, the tilt sensor 8 detects the tilt of the pole 2 and turns off the power of the LED light-emitting unit 5, so that the LED light stops blinking.

Subsequent players on the same course can easily know that the previous group is playing by seeing the LED light not flashing, even from a distance.

After the competition on the green is over, the pin flag (But 0 signing device 1) is rebuilt. Then, the tilt sensor 8 turns the LED light emitting unit 5 back on, so that the LED light blinks again. This allows subsequent players to know that the green is empty by watching the blinking LED light and start the competition. In other words, it is possible to quickly and surely notify the person at a distant place whether or not there is a competition on the green without giving a signal by voice or hand.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. The LED marking device 20 according to the second embodiment is an application of the present invention to a yard marking of a golf course.

In the LED marking device 20, a translucent case 23 is provided on the upper part of the column 21. The case 2 3 houses the LED light emitting unit 25 and the battery 27. When the LED light emitting unit 25 is energized by the battery 27, the LED light is irradiated to the outside through the wall surface of the case 23.

The LED light emitting unit 25 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and the LED light blinks at a predetermined time interval by a timer circuit. The color of the LED light may be the same color as the LED for the pin flag, or a solar cell 26 for charging the battery 27 is provided at a position different from the column 21 in a different color. Solar cell 26 and battery 27 are connected by cable 28.

The solar cell 26 is provided with a plate-shaped light receiving panel 26 b. The light receiving panel 26 b is fixed at a predetermined height position by an extendable support rod 26 a. A joint that can freely change the orientation of the panel surface of the light receiving panel 26 a is provided at the upper end of the support rod 26 a.

When the LED marking device 20 is used as a yard marking, as shown in FIG. 5, the column 21 is fixed at a position indicating a predetermined distance on the golf course. The post 21 may be driven directly into the ground or attached to an obstacle on the course such as a tree. Then, the LED light unit 25 blinks the LED light at predetermined time intervals.

For example, when shooting from the tee ground, the yard marking (LED marking device 20) can be easily visually recognized by the blinking of the LED light. For this reason, even immediately before hitting the pole, the target position can be set or changed quickly, making it difficult to make a mistake in selecting a club.

In addition, if yard markings (LED marking device 20) are installed on both sides of the course to synchronize the flashing of the LED lights, the distance from the line connecting each LED light to the center of the course (Fair Yui) can be easily grasped. Position setting is further facilitated. Next, an application example of the LED indication device of the first and second embodiments will be described.

In general, golf courses have two primary and secondary greens for each hole, and either the primary or secondary green is used depending on the situation of the competition.

Also, the position of the cup on the green will be determined at different positions, such as before the green, in the center, and at the base, depending on the competition day.

Conventionally, when knowing such green usage information or cup position information, the player visually observes the position of the pin flag during the competition, or looks at the materials surveyed in advance. However, with such a conventional method, the player cannot know the usage information of the green or the position information of the cup when the pin flag is not visible at the mouth hole or when there is no description in the materials. . For this reason, shots are often mistaken for targets.

According to the LED marking device of the present invention, the above problems can be solved by blinking the LED light by the following marking method.

[Indication of green usage information]

First, yard markings (LED marking devices 20) will be provided on both sides of the course. Each card marking may be an equidistance or a different distance.

Next, for the yard marking (LED marking device 20) on the side corresponding to the green to be used, turn on the LED light emitting unit and blink the LED light. In other words, when using the green on the right side when viewed from the tee ground, the LED light on the right card indicator (LED indicator device 20) blinks, and when using the green on the left side, the left yard indicator (LED indicator) Device 20) LED light blinks _c By using the yard indicator (LED sign device 20) in this way, the player can see the green light on the left or right of the course by blinking. Use information can be grasped accurately and quickly, and the target position can be accurately determined.

[Indication of cup position information]

The position of the cup on the green is indicated by switching the blinking interval or the color of the pin flag (LED indicator device 1) or yard indicator (LED indicator device 20). In addition, the blinking interval and the marking color may be switched together and notified.

For example, when the cup is in front of the tee ground, the LED light is flashed at 1 second intervals, at 3 seconds intervals at the center, and 5 seconds intervals at the rear.

It is also possible to identify the cup position by the color of the LED light, such as blue when the cup is to the left of the green, yellow when it is at the center, and red when it is to the right. By changing the LED light blinking interval or marking color in this way, the player can accurately and quickly know the position of the power tip on the green even from a distance. Makes it easier to set goals.

In addition, since the position of the cup can be confirmed by visual inspection without obtaining information from a caddy officer, golf can be enjoyed comfortably even when only the player performs self-play.

For example, the following method should be adopted as a method for controlling the blinking of the LED light of the pin flag (0 indicator device 1) or yard indicator (LED indicator device 20) for each hole on the day of the competition. Can do.

① Go around each hall and manually set the LED marking device.

② Turn on the power of the L ED marking device. The blinking interval of the LED light and the LED light can be switched by wire or wirelessly and controlled in the master room.

③ Provide two types of yard markings corresponding to the primary and secondary greens in each hole, and switch either the primary or secondary green yard markings by remote control using a remote controller.

Although the first and second embodiments of the present invention have been described, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made.

For example, without using a solar cell, each LED marking device may be connected to a commercial power supply by a cable to supply power.

The number and mounting position of the LED light emitting units may be changed, and the shape of the unit body may be a box shape instead of a cylindrical shape.

In addition, it is possible to improve the visibility of the slot light by providing a condensing lens or reflector on the case that houses the LED light emitting unit. Industrial applicability

As described above, according to the LED marking device for a golf course marking object of the present invention and the LED marking method using this device, the following excellent effects can be obtained.

(a) The visibility of golf course markings such as pin flags and yard markings is extremely good, so it is possible to set targets quickly and accurately when shooting. Become.

(b) Since it is easier to check the competition status on the green even from a distance, it is possible to improve safety during competition.

(c) Even in dark hours such as rain, fog, and sunset, it is easy to grasp the positions of pin flags, yard signs, etc., and can be played safely and comfortably.

(d) Since the presence of the sign is clarified by the flashing of the L E D light, it is also useful as a supplementary means for competition of the visually impaired and the elderly.

(e) The aesthetics of the entire golf course is improved because the L E D light exerts an electric decoration effect.

(f) Existing LED golf courses can be easily installed with LED indicators, reducing equipment costs.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. It indicates the position of a sign flag, yard sign, etc. on a golf course, and is provided with an LED light emitting unit that blinks LED light at a predetermined time interval on the sign. LED marking device for golf course markings.

2. Indicates the position of the pin flag of the golf course,

A pin flag pole,

Translucent case fixed to this pole,

An LED marking device for a golf course marking object, comprising: an LED light-emitting unit housed in the case and flashing LED light at predetermined time intervals.

3. Indicates the position of the golf course yard marking,

A post provided at a predetermined yard marking position on the golf course;

A translucent case fixed to the column;

An LED marking device for a golf course marking object, comprising: an LED lighting unit housed in the case and flashing LED light at predetermined time intervals.

4. The golf course marking object LED marking device according to claim 2, further comprising a tilt sensor that detects the tilt of the pole and turns on or turns off the LED light emitting unit.

5. The LED marking device for a golf course marking object according to claim 2, wherein a contact sensor for detecting a contact state between the pole and the cup and turning on or off the LED light emitting unit is provided.

6. A method for marking the usage information of the golf course's primary and secondary greens, with the LED marking device described in claim 1 or 3 provided on both sides of the golf course, An LED marking method for a golf course, wherein the LED marking device is limited to the LED marking device on the side corresponding to the green, and the LED light is blinked at a predetermined time interval.

7. A method for indicating position information of a cup of a golf course comprising:

It is characterized in that at least one of the LED light blinking interval or the marking color of the L ED marking device described in 2, 3, 4 or 5 is switched according to the position of the cup on the green. LED display method for the golf course