Privilege granting management system, privilege granting management method, and program

Abstract

To provide a privilege granting management system, a privilege granting management method, and a program that can appropriately grant a privilege to a player who has contributed to eliminating a slow play.SOLUTION: A play time identification unit 46 identifies a play time of a golf play by a group to which players belong. A separation degree identification unit 54 identifies a separation degree indicating a degree of separation of the group to which the players belong from a group ahead in the golf play. A privilege granting determination unit 56 determines that a privilege is granted to the players when the play time satisfies a given play time condition, or when the separation degree satisfies a given separation condition although the play time does not satisfy the play time condition.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a privilege granting management system, a privilege granting management method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a cart management device that determines that a traffic jam of carts has occurred when the inter-vehicle distance of carts is less than a predetermined distance.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In recent years, in the golf world, elimination of slow play (slow play) has been aimed at.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and one of its objects is to provide a privilege granting management system, a privilege granting management method, and a program that can appropriately grant privileges to players who have contributed to the elimination of slow play.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) The privilege granting management system according to the present invention includes play time specifying means for specifying the play time of golf play by a group to which a player belongs, separation degree specifying means for specifying a separation degree indicating the degree to which the group to which the player belongs is separated from the previous group in the golf play, and privilege granting decision means for deciding to grant a privilege to the player when the play time satisfies a given play time condition, or when the play time does not satisfy the play time condition but the separation degree satisfies a given separation condition.

[0007] (2) For each of the plurality of holes, arrival time difference specifying means for specifying an arrival time difference, which is a time difference between the timing at which the group to which the player belongs arrives at a given position associated with the hole and the timing at which the previous group of the group arrives at the position, is further included, and the separation degree specifying means specifies the separation degree based on the arrival time difference specified for each of the plurality of holes. The privilege granting management system according to (1) above may be used.

[0008] (3) For each of the plurality of holes, excess time specifying means for specifying an excess time, which is a time by which the time corresponding to the arrival time difference exceeds a given specified time, is further included, and the separation degree specifying means specifies the separation degree based on the sum of the excess times specified for each of the plurality of holes. The privilege granting management system according to (2) above may be used.

[0009] (4) For each of the plurality of holes, arrival time difference specifying means for specifying an arrival time difference, which is a time difference between the timing at which the group to which the player belongs arrives at a given position associated with the hole and the timing at which the previous group of the group arrives at the position, mission notification means for notifying the player of a mission when the arrival time difference specified for the hole satisfies a given arrival time difference slope play condition, and mission achievement determination means for determining whether or not the player has satisfied a given mission achievement condition when the mission is notified are further included, and the privilege granting determination means determines to grant a privilege to the player when the number of achieved missions or the achievement rate satisfies a given achievement degree condition. The privilege granting management system according to (1) above may be used.

[0010] (5) The play time specifying means specifies the play time in each of the plurality of holes, and the mission notification means notifies the player of a mission in a hole after the said hole when the play time in the said hole satisfies a given play time slow play condition and the arrival time difference specified for the said hole satisfies the arrival time difference slow play condition. The privilege granting management system according to (4) above may also be applicable.

[0011] (6) The play time specifying means specifies the play time in each of the plurality of holes, and the mission notification means notifies the player of a mission in a hole after the said hole when the play time in the said hole satisfies a given play time slow play condition and the arrival time difference specified for the next hole of the said hole satisfies the arrival time difference slow play condition. The privilege granting management system according to (4) above may also be applicable.

[0012] (7) The play time specifying means specifies the play time in each of the plurality of holes, and when the play time in the said hole satisfies a given play time slow play condition, there are mission notification means for notifying the player of a mission in a hole after the said hole, and mission achievement determination means for determining whether or not the player satisfies a given mission achievement condition in the golf play of the said subsequent hole when the mission is notified. The privilege granting determination means may also determine to grant a privilege to the player when the number of achieved missions or the achievement rate satisfies a given achievement degree condition. The privilege granting management system according to (1) above may also be applicable.

[0013] (8) For each of the plurality of holes, arrival detection means for detecting that a terminal provided on the golf cart has arrived at a given position associated with the hole is further included. The play time specifying means specifies the play time based on the timing when it is detected that the terminal provided on the golf cart to which the player belongs has arrived at the given position. The separation degree specifying means specifies the separation degree based on the timing when it is detected that the terminal provided on the golf cart to which the player belongs has arrived at the given position and the timing when it is detected that the terminal provided on the golf cart of the previous group of the group has arrived at the given position. It may be a privilege granting management system according to any one of (1) to (7) above.

[0014] (9) The privilege granting management method according to the present invention includes a step of specifying a play time of a golf play by a group to which a player belongs, a step of specifying a separation degree indicating the degree to which the group to which the player belongs is separated from the previous group in the golf play, and a step of determining to grant a privilege to the player when the play time satisfies a given play time condition or when the play time does not satisfy the play time condition but the separation degree satisfies a given separation condition.

[0015] (10) The program according to the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute a step of specifying a play time of a golf play by a group to which a player belongs, a step of specifying a separation degree indicating the degree to which the group to which the player belongs is separated from the previous group in the golf play, and a step of determining to grant a privilege to the player when the play time satisfies a given play time condition or when the play time does not satisfy the play time condition but the separation degree satisfies a given separation condition.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10A

Figure 10B

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the play time management system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the play time management system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a server 10 and a plurality of terminals 12 (12a, 12b, 12c,...). The terminal 12 is provided in a golf cart 14 (14a, 14b, 14c,...). In the example of FIG. 1, the terminal 12a, the terminal 12b, and the terminal 12c are provided in the golf cart 14a, the golf cart 14b, and the golf cart 14c, respectively. The server 10 and the terminal 12 are connected to a computer network 16 such as the Internet. Therefore, the server 10 and the terminal 12 can communicate with each other via the computer network 16.

[0019] The server 10 according to the present embodiment is, for example, a server computer including a processor 20, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit 24, as shown in FIG. 2A. The processor 20 is a program control device such as a microprocessor that operates according to a program installed in the server 10. The storage unit 22 is, for example, a storage element such as a ROM or a RAM, or a solid state drive (SSD). Programs executed by the processor 20 are stored in the storage unit 22. The communication unit 24 is, for example, a communication interface for wired communication or wireless communication, and exchanges data with the terminal 12 via the computer network 16. The server 10 may be installed in the clubhouse of the golf course, or may be installed at a location such as a data center away from the golf course.

[0020] The terminal 12 according to the present embodiment is, for example, a computer such as a mobile phone (including a smartphone) or a personal digital assistant (including a tablet computer), and functions as a golf navigation terminal. The terminal 12 according to the present embodiment includes, for example, a processor 30, a storage unit 32, a communication unit 34, a touch panel 36, and a sensor unit 38, as shown in FIG. 2B.

[0021] The processor 30 is a program control device such as a microprocessor that operates according to a program installed in the terminal 12, for example. The storage unit 32 is a storage element such as a ROM or a RAM, or a solid state drive (SSD), for example. Programs executed by the processor 30 and the like are stored in the storage unit 32. The communication unit 34 is a communication interface for wired communication or wireless communication, for example, and exchanges data with a computer such as the server 10 via the computer network 16. The touch panel 36 outputs information for display according to an instruction input from the processor 30, for example, or outputs the content of an operation performed by the user to the processor 30. The sensor unit 38 is a sensing device such as a GPS module, an acceleration sensor, a motion sensor, or a direction sensor, for example. In this embodiment, the case where the sensor unit 38 is included in the terminal 12 will be described, but the sensor unit 38 may be outside the terminal 12.

[0022] The golf cart 14 according to this embodiment is used on a golf course and moves within the golf course with a player who plays golf on board. Also, in this embodiment, a golf cart 14 is assigned to each group (party). A player belonging to a certain group plays golf using the golf cart 14 assigned to that group.

[0023] In this embodiment, for example, the first group whose golf play start time is 9:00 uses the golf cart 14a, the second group whose golf play start time is 9:15 uses the golf cart 14b, and the third group whose golf play start time is 9:39 uses the golf cart 14c. One to four players belong to each of the first group, the second group, and the third group.

[0024] And in this embodiment, for example, as will be described below, for each of a plurality of groups, after the golf play by the players belonging to that group is completed, it is determined whether or not to give a privilege to the players belonging to that group.

[0025] The benefits according to this embodiment may be anything that brings some benefit to the player, such as coupons, items, points, electronic money, etc. Also, the method of granting the benefits itself may use known methods. For example, coupons or items may be sent to the player to whom the benefit is granted by email or by mail. Also, for example, the balance of points, electronic money, etc. of the player to whom the benefit is granted may increase.

[0026] In the following description, it is assumed that the golf play is a golf play in a half-round that goes around 9 holes, but the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to a half-round. For example, the present invention is also applicable to a golf play in a 1-round that goes around 18 holes or a golf play that goes around 3 holes.

[0027] Hereinafter, the functions of the server 10 according to this embodiment and the processes executed by the server 10 according to this embodiment will be further described.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functions implemented in the server 10 according to this embodiment. Note that it is not necessary for all of the functions shown in FIG. 3 to be implemented in the server 10 according to this embodiment, and functions other than those shown in FIG. 3 may be implemented.

[0029] The server 10 according to this embodiment has a function as a privilege granting management system that determines whether to grant a privilege to a player. And, as shown in FIG. 3, functionally, the server 10 according to this embodiment includes, for example, a checkpoint data storage unit 40, a position information receiving unit 42, an arrival detection unit 44, a play time specifying unit 46, an arrival time difference specifying unit 48, a mission notification unit 50, a mission achievement determination unit 52, a separation degree specifying unit 54, a privilege granting determination unit 56, and a privilege granting unit 58.

[0030] The checkpoint data storage unit 40 is mainly implemented by the storage unit 22. The position information receiving unit 42 and the mission notification unit 50 are mainly implemented by the communication unit 24. The arrival detection unit 44, the play time specifying unit 46, the arrival time difference specifying unit 48, the mission achievement determination unit 52, the separation degree specifying unit 54, the privilege granting determination unit 56, and the privilege granting unit 58 are mainly implemented by the processor 20.

[0031] The above functions may be implemented by executing, on the server 10, a program including instructions corresponding to the above functions, which is installed in the server 10 that is a computer. Further, this program may be supplied to the server 10 via a computer-readable information storage medium such as an optical disk, a magnetic disk, a magnetic tape, a magneto-optical disk, or the like, or via the Internet or the like.

[0032] In this embodiment, the checkpoint data storage unit 40 stores checkpoint data indicating given positions (hereinafter referred to as checkpoints) preset for each of a plurality of holes in the golf course. The checkpoint data storage unit 40 may store a plurality of pieces of checkpoint data respectively associated with a plurality of holes included in the golf course. The checkpoint may be set at any position within the hole. For example, it may be provided at the exit of the hole (such as near the green) or at the entrance of the hole (such as near the teeing area). In the following description, it is assumed that the checkpoint of each hole is provided at the exit of the hole.

[0033] The checkpoint according to this embodiment may be a position corresponding to a geographical point expressed by, for example, a combination of latitude and longitude. In this case, the checkpoint data may include an identifier of the hole associated with the checkpoint data, data indicating the latitude of the checkpoint set in the hole, and data indicating the longitude of the checkpoint set in the hole.

[0034] Also, the checkpoint according to the present embodiment may be a position corresponding to a geographical area (for example, a rectangular area) represented by a combination of a latitude range and a longitude range. In this case, the checkpoint data may include an identifier of a hole associated with the checkpoint data, data indicating the latitude range of the checkpoint set in the hole, and data indicating the longitude range of the checkpoint set in the hole.

[0035] Note that the shape of the geographical area corresponding to the checkpoint is not particularly limited. For example, the checkpoint may be a circular geographical area.

[0036] In the present embodiment, for example, the position information receiving unit 42 receives position information indicating the position of the terminal 12. For example, in the present embodiment, at a predetermined time interval (for example, intervals of several seconds), the GPS module included in the sensor unit 38 of the terminal 12 may measure the current position (for example, latitude and longitude) of the GPS module. Then, according to the measurement, the GPS module may transmit position information indicating the measured current position (for example, latitude and longitude) associated with the identifier of the terminal 12 (hereinafter referred to as the terminal ID) and time information indicating the time when the measurement was performed to the server 10. Then, the position information receiving unit 42 may receive the position information transmitted from the terminal 12 in this way. In the following description, it is assumed that the terminal IDs of the terminals 12a, 12b, and 12c are "1", "2", and "3", respectively.

[0037] In the present embodiment, for example, the arrival detection unit 44 monitors whether the terminal 12 provided in the golf cart 14 has arrived at a given position for each of the plurality of holes. Then, the arrival detection unit 44 detects that the terminal 12 has arrived at the given position associated with the hole. For example, the above-mentioned checkpoint corresponds to the given position.

[0038] For example, assume that a checkpoint is a geographical point represented by a combination of latitude and longitude. In this case, upon receiving the position information by the position information receiving unit 42, the arrival detection unit 44 may determine whether the distance between the geographical position (e.g., latitude and longitude) indicated by the position information and the geographical point corresponding to the checkpoint is equal to or less than a predetermined distance. Then, the arrival detection unit 44 may detect the timing at which it is first determined that the distance between the geographical position (e.g., latitude and longitude) indicated by the position information and the geographical point corresponding to the checkpoint is equal to or less than the predetermined distance as the timing at which the terminal 12 arrives at the checkpoint.

[0039] Also, for example, assume that a checkpoint is a geographical area represented by a combination of a latitude range and a longitude range. In this case, upon receiving the position information by the position information receiving unit 42, the arrival detection unit 44 may determine whether the geographical position (e.g., latitude and longitude) indicated by the position information is within the geographical area corresponding to the checkpoint. Then, the arrival detection unit 44 may detect the timing at which it is first determined that the geographical position indicated by the position information is within the geographical area corresponding to the checkpoint as the timing at which the terminal 12 arrives at the checkpoint.

[0040] Note that the method for detecting that the terminal 12 has arrived at the checkpoint is not limited to the method described above.

[0041] In the present embodiment, for example, the play time specifying unit 46 generates the play time management data illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 8. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the play time management data before the start of the first set of golf play. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the play time management data at 10:42. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the play time management data at 10:58. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the play time management data at 11:10. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the play time management data after the end of the third set of golf play.

[0042] In this embodiment, for example, play time management data in the state shown in FIG. 4 in the initial state is updated to the state shown in FIG. 8 finally through the states shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7. In this way, the play time management data is appropriately updated as the golf play of each group progresses.

[0043] The play time management data is data associated with a group. In the examples of FIGS. 4 to 8, three pieces of play time management data respectively associated with the first group, the second group, and the third group are shown. The play time management data includes, for example, a group ID, start timing data, and a plurality of arrival timing data.

[0044] The group ID included in the play time management data is, for example, an identifier of the group associated with the play time management data. The group ID corresponds to the row expressed as "group ID" in the examples of FIGS. 4 to 8.

[0045] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the play time specifying unit 46 holds data in which the above-mentioned terminal ID and the above-mentioned group ID are associated. And it is assumed that the play time specifying unit 46 can specify the group ID associated with the terminal ID based on the terminal ID. Here, for example, it is assumed that the terminal ID "1" is associated with the group ID "1", the terminal ID "2" is associated with the group ID "2", and the terminal ID "3" is associated with the group ID "3".

[0046] The start timing data included in the play time management data is, for example, data indicating the start timing (for example, start time) in the golf play of the group. The start timing data corresponds to the row expressed as "start" in the examples of FIGS. 4 to 8.

[0047] The arrival timing data included in the play time management data indicates, for example, the timing (e.g., arrival time) of arriving at a checkpoint (here, for example, a checkpoint provided at the exit of each hole) set for each of a plurality of holes where the golf play is conducted in the golf play of the group. In the examples of FIGS. 4 to 8, the play time management data includes nine arrival timing data (from the 1H exit arrival timing data to the 9H exit arrival timing data). The nine arrival timing data respectively correspond to different holes. For example, the 1H exit arrival timing data indicates the arrival time at the checkpoint set for the 1st hole. Similarly hereinafter, the 2H exit arrival timing data to the 9H exit arrival timing data respectively indicate the arrival times at the checkpoints set for the 2nd hole to the 9th hole. The 1H exit arrival timing data corresponds to the row expressed as "1H" in the examples of FIGS. 4 to 8. Similarly, the 2H exit arrival timing data to the 9H exit arrival timing data correspond to the rows expressed as "2H" to "9H" in the examples of FIGS. 4 to 8.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 4, at the start of the golf play, that is, in the initial state, values are set for the group ID and the start timing data included in the play time management data, but the values of the checkpoint arrival timing data included in the play time management data are not set.

[0049] Here, for example, a given start time may be set in the start timing data. For example, assume that the start times of the 1st group, 2nd group, and 3rd group at the time of reserving the golf play are 9:00, 9:15, and 9:30 respectively. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, 9:00 may be set as the value of the start timing data included in the play time management data with the group ID being 1. Also, 9:15 may be set as the value of the start timing data included in the play time management data with the group ID being 2. Also, 9:30 may be set as the value of the start timing data included in the play time management data with the group ID being 3.

[0050] Then, the play time specifying unit 46 may specify the terminal ID associated with the position information and the value of the time information associated with the position information in response to the arrival detection unit 44 detecting that the terminal 12 has arrived at the checkpoint based on the position information received by the position information receiving unit 42. Then, the play time specifying unit 46 may set the time indicated by the time information to the value of the arrival timing data corresponding to the hall where the checkpoint is set in the play management data including the group ID specified based on the terminal ID.

[0051] For example, it is assumed that it is detected that the terminal 12a has arrived at the checkpoint in Hall 1 based on the position information associated with the terminal ID "1" and the time information "9:15". In this case, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, 9:15 may be set to the value of the arrival timing data at the exit of 1H in the play time management data with the group ID being 1. Further, for example, it is assumed that it is detected that the terminal 12b has arrived at the checkpoint in Hall 1 based on the position information associated with the terminal ID "2" and the time information "9:28". In this case, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, 9:28 may be set to the value of the arrival timing data at the exit of 1H in the play time management data with the group ID being 2. Further, for example, it is assumed that it is detected that the terminal 12c has arrived at the checkpoint in Hall 1 based on the position information associated with the terminal ID "3" and the time information "9:40". In this case, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, 9:40 may be set to the value of the arrival timing data at the exit of 1H in the play time management data with the group ID being 3.

[0052] Note that in this embodiment, it is not necessary to set a given start time in the start timing data. In this case, for example, checkpoint data indicating a checkpoint set at the entrance of the first hole (for example, the start hole) (such as near the teeing area) may be stored in the checkpoint data storage unit 40. Then, based on the position information received by the position information receiving unit 42, when the arrival detection unit 44 detects that the terminal 12 has arrived at the checkpoint, the play time specifying unit 46 may specify the terminal ID associated with the position information and the value of the time information associated with the position information. Then, the play time specifying unit 46 may set the time indicated by the time information to the value of the start timing data of the play management data including the group ID specified based on the terminal ID.

[0053] Then, in this embodiment, for example, the play time specifying unit 46 specifies the play time of the golf play by the group to which the player belongs. Here, the play time specifying unit 46 may specify the play time for each of the plurality of holes. Further, the play time specifying unit 46 may specify the play time based on the timing when it is detected that the terminal 12 provided in the golf cart 14 to which the player belongs has arrived at a given position (for example, the above-mentioned checkpoint).

[0054] For example, in the example of FIG. 5, the play time specifying unit 46 specifies the time from the time indicated by the start timing data included in the play time management data with the group ID of 1 to the time indicated by the 1H exit arrival timing data included in the play time management data as the play time of the first hole of the first group. Further, the time from the time indicated by the 1H exit arrival timing data included in the play time management data with the group ID of 1 to the time indicated by the 2H exit arrival timing data included in the play time management data is specified as the play time of the second hole of the first group. The play times of the other holes are specified in the same manner. The play times of the other groups are also specified in the same manner.

[0055] In addition, the play time specifying unit 46 specifies, for example, the play time for the entire golf play. For example, the total of the play times specified as described above for each of the plurality of holes played in the golf play may be specified as the play time for the entire golf play. Also, for example, the time from the time indicated by the start timing data included in the play time management data to the time indicated by the arrival timing data of the last hole included in the play time management data may be specified as the play time for the entire golf play.

[0056] For example, in the example of FIG. 8, the play time of the first set of golf plays is specified as 1 hour and 55 minutes, which is the time from 9:00 to 10:55. Also, the play time of the second set of golf plays is specified as 2 hours and 30 minutes, which is the time from 9:15 to 11:45. Also, the play time of the third set of golf plays is specified as 2 hours and 20 minutes, which is the time from 9:30 to 11:50.

[0057] In the present embodiment, the arrival time difference specifying unit 48 specifies, for example, for each of the plurality of holes, the arrival time difference, which is the time difference between the timing when the group to which the player belongs arrives at a given position associated with the hole and the timing when the group immediately preceding the said group arrives at the position. In the following description, the group immediately preceding the said group shall refer to the group immediately before the said group, that is, the group immediately in front of the said group. Note that in the present embodiment, the group immediately preceding the said group does not necessarily have to be the group immediately before the said group, and may be, for example, the group two before the said group.

[0058] In the example of FIG. 8, for example, the arrival time difference specifying unit 48 specifies 13 minutes, which is the time from 9:15, which is the time indicated by the 1H exit arrival timing data included in the play time management data with a group ID of 1, to 9:28, which is the time indicated by the 1H exit arrival timing data included in the play time management data with a group ID of 2, as the arrival time difference of the second group at the first hole.

[0059] In this embodiment, for example, when a golf play by a certain player on a certain hole satisfies given slope play conditions, the mission notification unit 50 notifies the player of a mission.

[0060] Here, for example, mission achievement conditions may be predetermined. Then, the mission notification unit 50 may transmit a screen showing the mission achievement conditions to the terminal 12 provided on the golf cart 14 used by the group. Then, the terminal 12 may display the screen on the touch panel 36 of the terminal 12. For example, a given target time may be set for each of a plurality of holes. Then, the mission notification unit 50 may transmit a screen showing the target time to the terminal 12 provided on the golf cart 14 used by the group. Then, the terminal 12 may display the screen on the touch panel 36 of the terminal 12.

[0061] Also, for example, when the arrival time difference of a certain group specified for a certain hole satisfies given arrival time difference slope play conditions, the mission notification unit 50 may notify the players belonging to the group of a mission. Here, when the arrival time difference of a certain group specified for a certain hole satisfies given arrival time difference slope play conditions, a mission on a hole after the certain hole (for example, the next hole after the certain hole) may be notified to the players belonging to the group. Note that arrival time difference slope play conditions for each of a plurality of holes may be set. Also, common arrival time difference slope play conditions may be set regardless of the holes.

[0062] For example, assume that the arrival time difference slope play condition for hole 4 is "the arrival time difference is 15 minutes or more". And as shown in FIG. 5, assume that the arrival time of the second group at the checkpoint set for hole 4 is 10:25, and the arrival time of the third group at the checkpoint set for hole 4 is 10:42. In this case, since the arrival time difference of the third group is 17 minutes, the arrival time difference slope play condition is satisfied. In this case, the mission in hole 5 may be notified to the players belonging to the third group.

[0063] For example, assume that the target time for hole 5 is 15 minutes. In this case, the mission notification unit 50 may transmit a screen showing a character string "Next 5H out of hole in less than 15 minutes!" to the terminal 12c. And the said screen may be displayed on the touch panel 36 of the terminal 12c. The above-mentioned mission achievement condition in this case is that "the play time for hole 5 is less than 15 minutes".

[0064] Also, for example, when the play time of a certain group in a certain hole satisfies a given play time slope play condition, the mission notification unit 50 may notify the players belonging to the said group of the mission in a hole after the said hole (for example, the next hole after the said hole). Here, a play time slope play condition for each of a plurality of holes may be set. Also, a common play time slope play condition may be set regardless of the holes.

[0065] For example, assume that the play time slope play condition for hole 4 is "the play time is 15 minutes or more". And as shown in FIG. 5, assume that the arrival time of the third group at the checkpoint set for hole 3 is 10:05, and the arrival time of the third group at the checkpoint set for hole 4 is 10:42. In this case, since the play time of the third group in hole 4 is 37 minutes, the play time slope play condition is satisfied. In this case, as described above, the mission in hole 5 may be notified to the players belonging to the third group.

[0066] In addition, in the present embodiment, when the play time of a certain player in a certain hole satisfies a given play time slow play condition and the arrival time difference of the group to which the player belongs specified for the hole satisfies a given arrival time difference slow play condition, the mission notification unit 50 may notify the player of the mission in the hole after the hole.

[0067] For example, as described above, assume that the play time slow play condition for the 4th hole is "the play time is 15 minutes or more", and the arrival time difference slow play condition for the 4th hole is "the arrival time difference is 15 minutes or more". In the example of FIG. 5, the third group satisfies both the play time slow play condition for the 4th hole and the arrival time difference slow play condition for the 4th hole as described above. In such a case, as described above, the mission in the 5th hole may be notified to the players belonging to the third group.

[0068] In the present embodiment, for example, when the golf play of a certain player in a certain hole satisfies a given slow play condition and the player is notified of a mission, the mission achievement determination unit 52 determines whether the player has satisfied a given mission achievement condition.

[0069] Here, when the golf play of a certain player in a certain hole satisfies a given slow play condition and the mission in the hole after the hole is notified to the player, the mission achievement determination unit 52 may determine whether the player has satisfied the given mission achievement condition in the golf play of the hole after the hole.

[0070] For example, in the above case, when the play time of the 5th hole of the third group is less than 15 minutes, the mission achievement determination unit 52 determines that the mission achievement condition has been satisfied. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, assume that the arrival time of the third group at the checkpoint set for the 5th hole is 10:58. In this case, the play time of the third group at the 5th hole is 16 minutes. Therefore, it is determined that the mission achievement condition has not been satisfied.

[0071] Also, here, assume that the slow play condition for the play time of Hole 5 is "play time is 15 minutes or more", and the slow play condition for the arrival time difference of Hole 5 is "arrival time difference is 15 minutes or more". In this case, in the example of Fig. 6, the play time of the third group at Hole 5 is 16 minutes, and the arrival time difference of the third group at Hole 5 is 18 minutes. Therefore, the third group satisfies both the slow play condition for the play time of Hole 5 and the slow play condition for the arrival time difference of Hole 5. Thus, the mission at Hole 6 will be notified to the players belonging to the third group.

[0072] Here, assume that the target time of Hole 6 is 15 minutes. In this case, in the example of Fig. 7, the play time of the third group at Hole 6 is 12 minutes. Therefore, it is determined that the mission achievement condition is satisfied.

[0073] Also, assume that the slow play condition for the play time of Hole 6 is "play time is 15 minutes or more", and the slow play condition for the arrival time difference of Hole 6 is "arrival time difference is 15 minutes or more". In this case, in the example of Fig. 7, the play time of the third group at Hole 6 is 12 minutes, and the arrival time difference of the third group at Hole 6 is 10 minutes. Therefore, the third group does not satisfy either the slow play condition for the play time of Hole 6 or the slow play condition for the arrival time difference of Hole 6. Thus, the mission at Hole 7 will not be notified to the players belonging to the third group.

[0074] Note that when the golf play by a certain player at a certain hole satisfies the slow play condition, the mission at a hole after that hole (not the next hole of that hole) may be notified to the player. For example, when the third group satisfies the slow play condition of Hole 4, the mission at Hole 7 may be notified to the players belonging to the third group.

[0075] In this embodiment, for example, the separation degree specifying unit 54 specifies the separation degree indicating the extent to which the group to which the player belongs in golf play is separated from the previous group. As described above, the previous group of the said group here refers to the immediately previous group of the said group, that is, the group immediately before the said group. Here, the separation degree specifying unit 54 may specify the separation degree based on the timing when it is detected that the terminal 12 provided on the golf cart 14 of the group to which the player belongs has arrived at a given position, and the timing when it is detected that the terminal 12 provided on the golf cart 14 of the previous group of the said group has arrived at the said position. Here, the separation degree specifying unit 54 may specify the separation degree based on the arrival time difference specified for each of the plurality of holes.

[0076] Also, for example, the separation degree specifying unit 54 may specify, for each of the plurality of holes, the excess time, which is the time by which the time corresponding to the arrival time difference exceeds a given specified time, as the separation degree at the said hole. For example, when the arrival time difference is less than 15 minutes, 0 may be specified as the value of the separation degree. And when the arrival time difference is 15 minutes or more, the value corresponding to the time obtained by subtracting 15 minutes from the said arrival time difference may be specified as the value of the separation degree.

[0077] FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the separation degree specified based on the play time management data shown in FIG. 8. For example, since the arrival time difference of the second group at the first hole is 13 minutes, the separation degree of the second group at the first hole is specified as 0. And since the arrival time difference of the second group at the second hole is 17 minutes, the separation degree of the second group at the second hole is specified as 2. Similarly, the separation degrees at the third hole to the ninth hole are specified. Also, the separation degrees at each hole for the third group are specified in the same way.

[0078] And the separation degree specifying unit 54 may specify the sum of the values of the separation degrees at each of the plurality of holes specified for a certain group as the separation degree of the said group. In the example of FIG. 9, the value of the separation degree of the second group is specified as 155, and the value of the separation degree of the third group is specified as 5.

[0079] In this embodiment, for example, when the golf play performed by the player satisfies a given condition, the privilege granting determination unit 56 determines to grant a privilege to the player.

[0080] In this embodiment, for example, the privilege granting unit 58 grants a privilege to a player to whom it is determined to grant a privilege.

[0081] Here, for example, when the play time satisfies a given play time condition, or when the play time does not satisfy the play time condition but the separation degree satisfies a given separation condition, the privilege granting determination unit 56 may determine to grant a privilege to the player.

[0082] For example, assume that the play time condition is "the total play time in golf play is less than 2 hours". And as described above, assume that the play time of the first set of golf play is specified as 1 hour and 55 minutes, the play time of the second set of golf play is specified as 2 hours and 30 minutes, and the play time of the third set of golf play is specified as 2 hours and 20 minutes. In this case, it may be determined to grant a privilege to the player belonging to the first set.

[0083] Also, for example, assume that the separation condition is "the value of the separation degree is less than 10". And as described above, assume that the separation degree of the second set is 155 and the separation degree of the third set is 5. In this case, although the play time of the third set of golf play does not satisfy the play time condition, the separation degree of the third set satisfies the separation condition. In this case, it may be determined to grant a privilege to the player belonging to the third set.

[0084] In this embodiment, when it is determined to grant a privilege to a player belonging to a certain set, the privilege may be granted to each of all the players belonging to the set, or the privilege may be granted to one player (for example, the player who made a reservation for the golf play) belonging to the set.

[0085] In recent years, in the golf world, efforts have been made to eliminate slow play. Here, it can be said that players with short playing times contribute to the elimination of slow play.

[0086] However, if the progress of the previous group is slow, the playing time will inevitably become long. Even in such a case, it can be said that players who continue to play golf without leaving the previous group contribute to the elimination of slow play.

[0087] In the present embodiment, as described above, even if the playing time of the golf play by the group to which the player belongs in golf play does not satisfy the playing time condition, if the separation degree indicating the degree to which the group to which the player belongs is separated from the previous group satisfies the separation condition, a privilege is granted to the player. By doing so, a privilege can be appropriately granted to a player who, even if not a player with a short playing time, can be said to have contributed to the elimination of slow play.

[0088] Further, the privilege granting determination unit 56 may determine to grant a privilege to the player when the number of missions completed by the player or the completion rate satisfies a given achievement condition. For example, examples of the achievement condition include "the number of completions is 1 or more", "the number of completions is 2 or more", "the completion rate is 50% or more", "the completion rate is 100%", and the like.

[0089] As described above, if a mission is notified to the player when the slow play condition is satisfied, the player is likely to try to play quickly in order to complete the mission and obtain a privilege. And players with a high degree of achievement of the mission notified in this way can be said to have contributed to the elimination of slow play.

[0090] In the present embodiment, as described above, when the number of missions completed by the player or the completion rate satisfies a given achievement condition, a privilege is granted to the player. By doing so, a privilege can be appropriately granted to a player who can be said to have contributed to the elimination of slow play by completing the mission.

[0091] As described above, according to the present embodiment, benefits will be appropriately given to the players who have contributed to the elimination of slow play. And by adopting the present embodiment, it is expected that the elimination of slow play will progress.

[0092] Here, an example of the flow of the process performed by the server 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B.

[0093] Here, for example, the process executed for the third group will be described, but the same process will be executed for other groups as well.

[0094] Also, in the following description, it is assumed that mission notification count data indicating the number of times a mission has been notified to the players belonging to the group identified by the group ID, which is associated with the group ID, is stored in the mission notification unit 50. Note that the initial value of the mission notification count data is 0. Also, it is assumed that mission achievement count data indicating the number of times the players belonging to the group identified by the group ID, which is associated with the group ID, have satisfied the mission achievement condition is stored in the mission achievement determination unit 52. Note that the initial value of the mission achievement count data is 0.

[0095] Also, play time management data for which the group ID is 3 has been generated, and it is assumed that the start time of the third group, which is a given time, is set in the start timing data of the play time management data. And it is assumed that no value is set in the arrival timing data of the play time management data.

[0096] In this processing example, as described above, the arrival detection unit 44 monitors the arrival of the terminal 12c at the checkpoint of any hall (S101).

[0097] When it is detected that the terminal 12c reaches the checkpoint of any hall, the play time specifying unit 46 updates the play time management data with the group ID of 3 (S102). Here, for example, the arrival time at the checkpoint is set as the value of the arrival timing data corresponding to the hall where the detected checkpoint is set. As described above, the arrival time may be the time indicated by the time information associated with the position information when the arrival at the checkpoint is detected.

[0098] Then, the play time specifying unit 46 specifies the play time of the third group in the hall where the arrival at the checkpoint is detected (hereinafter referred to as the arrival hall) (S103).

[0099] Then, the play time specifying unit 46 specifies the arrival time difference of the third group in the arrival hall (S104).

[0100] Then, the mission achievement determination unit 52 determines whether or not the arrival hall is a mission target hall (S105). Here, for example, if a mission is notified to the player belonging to the third group in the hall before the arrival hall, it is determined that the arrival hall is a mission target hall.

[0101] If it is determined that the arrival hall is a mission target hall (S105: Y), the mission achievement determination unit 52 determines whether or not the player belonging to the third group has achieved the mission in the arrival hall (S106).

[0102] If it is determined that the mission has been achieved (S106: Y), the mission achievement determination unit 52 updates the mission achievement count data associated with the group ID "3" (S107). Here, the value of the mission count achievement data is incremented by 1.

[0103] If it is determined in the process shown in S105 that the hole is not the mission target hole (S105: N), if it is determined in the process shown in S106 that the mission has not been achieved (S106: N), or if the process shown in S107 has ended, the mission notification unit 50 determines whether the golf play at the arrival hole satisfies the slope play condition (S108).

[0104] If it is determined that the slope play condition is satisfied (S108: Y), the mission notification unit 50 notifies the mission to the players belonging to the third group (S109). Here, for example, a screen showing the mission achievement condition is transmitted to the terminal 12c.

[0105] Then, the mission notification unit 50 updates the mission notification count data associated with the group ID "3" (S110). Here, for example, the value of the mission notification count data is increased by 1.

[0106] If it is determined in the process shown in S108 that the slope play condition is not satisfied (S108: N), or if the process shown in S110 has ended, the play time specifying unit 46 checks whether the arrival is the last checkpoint (S111). In the above example, it is checked whether the arrival hole is the 9th hole.

[0107] If the arrival is not the last checkpoint (S111: N), the process returns to the process shown in S101.

[0108] If the arrival is the last checkpoint (S111: Y), the privilege granting decision unit 56 determines whether the play time of the golf play of the third group satisfies the play time condition (S112).

[0109] If the play time of the golf play of the third group satisfies the play time condition (S112: Y), the privilege granting decision unit 56 decides to grant a privilege to the players belonging to the third group (S113), and the process shown in this processing example ends.

[0110] When the play time of the third group of golf play does not meet the play time condition (S112: N), the separation degree specifying unit 54 specifies the value of the separation degree of the third group (S114).

[0111] Then, the privilege granting determination unit 56 determines whether the value of the separation degree of the third group satisfies the separation condition (S115).

[0112] When the value of the separation degree of the third group satisfies the separation condition (S115: Y), the privilege granting determination unit 56 determines to grant a privilege to the players belonging to the third group (S113), and the process shown in this processing example ends.

[0113] When the value of the separation degree of the third group does not satisfy the separation condition (S115: N), the privilege granting determination unit 56 determines whether the players belonging to the third group satisfy the achievement condition (S116). Here, for example, when the value of the mission achievement count data is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it may be determined that the achievement condition is satisfied. Alternatively, when the value obtained by dividing the value of the mission achievement count data by the value of the mission notification count data is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it may be determined that the achievement condition is satisfied.

[0114] When it is determined that the players belonging to the third group satisfy the achievement condition (S116: Y), the privilege granting determination unit 56 determines to grant a privilege to the players belonging to the third group (S113), and the process shown in this processing example ends.

[0115] When it is determined that the players belonging to the third group do not satisfy the achievement condition (S116: N), the privilege granting determination unit 56 determines not to grant a privilege to the players belonging to the third group (S117), and the process shown in this processing example ends.

[0116] In the processes shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the process shown in S116 may not be executed. In this case, when it is determined in the process shown in S115 that the value of the separation degree of the third group does not satisfy the separation condition (S115: N), the process may proceed to the process shown in S117.

[0117] Also, in the processes shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the processes shown in S114 to S116 may not be executed. In this case, when it is determined in the process shown in S112 that the play time of the third group of golf plays does not satisfy the play time condition (S112: N), the process may proceed to the process shown in S117.

[0118] Also, in the processes shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the processes shown in S114 and S115 may not be executed. In this case, when it is determined in the process shown in S112 that the play time of the third group of golf plays does not satisfy the play time condition (S112: N), the process may proceed to the process shown in S116.

[0119] Also, in the processes shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the process shown in S112 may not be executed. In this case, when it is confirmed in the process shown in S111 that the arrival is at the last checkpoint (S111: Y), the process may proceed to the process shown in S114.

[0120] Also, in the processes shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the processes shown in S112, S114, and S115 may not be executed. In this case, when it is confirmed in the process shown in S111 that the arrival is at the last checkpoint (S111: Y), the process may proceed to the process shown in S116.

[0121] Also, in the processes shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the processes shown in S112, S114, and S116 may not be executed. In this case, when it is confirmed in the process shown in S111 that the arrival is at the last checkpoint (S111: Y), the process may proceed to the process shown in S115. And when it is determined in the process shown in S115 that the value of the separation degree of the third group does not satisfy the separation condition (S115: N), the process may proceed to the process shown in S117.

[0122] Note that, as described above, in the present embodiment, the checkpoint may be provided at the entrance of each hole.

[0123] In this case, when a certain set of arrival time differences specified for a certain hole satisfies a given arrival time difference slope play condition, the mission notification unit 50 may notify the players belonging to the set of the mission in the hole. And when the mission is notified to the player, the mission achievement determination unit 52 may determine whether or not the player has satisfied a given mission achievement condition in the golf play of the hole. For example, checkpoints are provided at the entrances of each hole, and when the arrival time difference slope play condition of the 6th hole is satisfied, the mission in the 6th hole may be notified to the player. And it may be determined whether or not the player has satisfied a given mission achievement condition in the golf play of the 6th hole.

[0124] Alternatively, when the play time in a certain hole satisfies a given play time slope play condition and the arrival time difference specified for the next hole of the hole satisfies the arrival time difference slope play condition, the mission notification unit 50 may notify the player of the mission in the hole after the hole. And the mission achievement determination unit 52 may determine whether or not the player has satisfied a given mission achievement condition in the golf play of the subsequent hole (the 6th hole in the above example). For example, checkpoints are provided at the entrances of each hole, and when both the play time slope play condition of the 5th hole and the arrival time difference slope play condition of the 6th hole are satisfied, the mission in the 6th hole may be notified to the player. And it may be determined whether or not the player has satisfied a given mission achievement condition in the golf play of the 6th hole.

[0125] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0126] For example, some or all of the functions shown in FIG. 3 may be implemented not in the server 10 but in the terminal 12. In this case, communication may be performed between the terminals 12.

[0127] In addition, the above specific character strings, numerical values, and the specific character strings and numerical values in the drawings are examples and are not limited to these character strings and numerical values.

Explanation of Signs

[0128] 1 Play time management system, 10 Server, 12, 12a, 12b, 12c Terminal, 14, 14a, 14b, 14c Golf cart, 16 Computer network, 20 Processor, 22 Storage unit, 24 Communication unit, 30 Processor, 32 Storage unit, 34 Communication unit, 36 Touch panel, 38 Sensor unit, 40 Checkpoint data storage unit, 42 Position information receiving unit, 44 Arrival detection unit, 46 Play time specifying unit, 48 Arrival time difference specifying unit, 50 Mission notification unit, 52 Mission achievement determination unit, 54 Separation degree specifying unit, 56 Privilege granting determination unit, 58 Privilege granting unit.

Claims

1. Play time specifying means for specifying the play time of golf play by the group to which the player belongs, Separation degree specifying means for specifying the degree of separation indicating how much the group to which the player belongs has been released from the previous group in the golf play, Privilege granting decision means for deciding to grant a privilege to the player when the play time satisfies a given play time condition, or when the play time does not satisfy the play time condition but the separation degree satisfies a given separation condition, A privilege granting management system including the above.

2. Arrival time difference specifying means for specifying, for each of a plurality of holes, the time difference between the timing at which the group to which the player belongs arrives at a given position associated with the hole and the timing at which the previous group of the group arrives at the position, and further including, The separation degree specifying means specifies the separation degree based on the arrival time differences specified for each of the plurality of holes. The privilege granting management system according to claim 1.

3. Excess time specifying means for specifying, for each of the plurality of holes, the excess time which is the time by which the time corresponding to the arrival time difference exceeds a given specified time, and further including, The separation degree specifying means specifies the separation degree based on the sum of the excess times specified for each of the plurality of holes. The privilege granting management system according to claim 2.

4. Arrival time difference specifying means for specifying, for each of a plurality of holes, the time difference between the timing at which the group to which the player belongs arrives at a given position associated with the hole and the timing at which the previous group of the group arrives at the position, Mission notification means for notifying the player of a mission when the arrival time difference specified for the hole satisfies a given arrival time difference slope play condition, Mission achievement determination means for determining whether or not the player has satisfied a given mission achievement condition when the mission is notified, and further including, The privilege granting decision means decides to grant a privilege to the player when the number of achievements or the achievement rate of the mission satisfies a given achievement degree condition. The privilege granting management system according to claim 1.

5. The play time specifying means specifies the play time at each of the plurality of holes. The mission notification means notifies the player of a mission at a hole subsequent to the relevant hole when the play time at the relevant hole satisfies a given play time slope play condition and the arrival time difference specified for the relevant hole satisfies the arrival time difference slope play condition. The privilege granting management system according to claim 4.

6. The play time specifying means specifies the play time at each of the plurality of holes. The mission notification means notifies the player of a mission at a hole subsequent to the relevant hole when the play time at the relevant hole satisfies a given play time slope play condition and the arrival time difference specified for the next hole of the relevant hole satisfies the arrival time difference slope play condition. The privilege granting management system according to claim 4.

7. The play time specifying means specifies the play time at each of the plurality of holes. Mission notification means for notifying the player of a mission at a hole subsequent to the relevant hole when the play time at the relevant hole satisfies a given play time slope play condition; Mission achievement determination means for determining whether or not the player satisfies a given mission achievement condition at the subsequent hole in the golf play when the mission is notified; and further includes The privilege granting determination means determines to grant a privilege to the player when the number of mission achievements or the achievement rate satisfies a given achievement degree condition. The privilege granting management system according to claim 1.

8. For each of the plurality of holes, it further includes arrival detection means for detecting that a terminal provided on a golf cart has arrived at a given position associated with the relevant hole. The play time specifying means specifies the play time based on the timing at which it is detected that the terminal provided on the golf cart to which the player belongs has arrived at the given position. The separation degree specifying means specifies the separation degree based on the timing when it is detected that the terminal provided in the golf cart of the group to which the player belongs has arrived at the given position, and the timing when it is detected that the terminal provided in the golf cart of the previous group of the group has arrived at the given position. The privilege granting management system according to claim 1.

9. A step of specifying the play time of the golf play by the group to which the player belongs; A step of specifying a separation degree indicating the degree to which the group to which the player belongs is separated from the previous group in the golf play; A step of determining to grant a privilege to the player when the play time satisfies a given play time condition, or when the play time does not satisfy the play time condition but the separation degree satisfies a given separation condition; A privilege granting management method including the above.

10. A step of specifying the play time of the golf play by the group to which the player belongs; A step of specifying a separation degree indicating the degree to which the group to which the player belongs is separated from the previous group in the golf play; A step of determining to grant a privilege to the player when the play time satisfies a given play time condition, or when the play time does not satisfy the play time condition but the separation degree satisfies a given separation condition; A program for causing a computer to execute the above.

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