Golf navigation system and its program

Abstract

We provide information that will help you improve your score. [Solution] The golf navigation device 20 is a portable golf watch or the like that uses radio waves from GPS satellites and comprises an acquisition unit 21, a storage unit 24, a calculation unit 23, and a display unit 25. The acquisition unit 21 acquires information indicating the speed of the greens on that day. The storage unit 24 stores reference data that shows the correspondence between the user's swing amplitude and the distance the ball will roll when hit with that swing amplitude, for each green speed. The calculation unit 23 calculates the swing amplitude that the user should use on the greens on that day, according to the distance to the pin, by referring to the storage unit 24 based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 21. The display unit 25 displays the swing amplitude that the user should use on the greens on that day using a color gradient 25C, based on the result calculated by the calculation unit 23.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a portable golf navigation device using radio waves from artificial satellites and its program in the technical field of computer software.

Background Art

[0002] Currently, golf watches and golf apps equipped with GPS (Global Positioning System) functions for distance measurement and course guidance are on the market. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a golf support terminal for providing appropriate support to players from a location where trouble occurs during play in a golf course. Also, Patent Document 2 discloses a golf navigation device that measures the undulation (angulation) of a golf course and displays the measurement result so that a user can recognize the undulation by performing processing based on the measurement result.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Currently, golf watches and golf apps on the market display the shape (undulation, inclination) of the green in color, but for novice golfers, they are not very useful up to that point. That is, even when the shape of the green is displayed in color, many novices do not have an appropriate swing width, so it is currently difficult to improve the score.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a golf navigation device and its program that can provide information that leads to a better score. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a portable golf navigation device that utilizes radio waves from an artificial satellite, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the speed of the green on a given day; a storage unit that stores reference data indicating the correspondence between the user's swing amplitude and the distance the ball will roll when struck with that swing amplitude, for each green speed; a calculation unit that, based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit and by referring to the storage unit, calculates the swing amplitude the user should use on the green on that day according to the distance to the pin; and a display unit that, based on the results calculated by the calculation unit, displays the swing amplitude the user should use on the green on that day in a color gradient.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is a golf navigation program that causes a computer to perform the following steps: an acquisition step of acquiring information indicating the speed of the greens on a given day; a storage step of storing reference data in a storage unit that shows the correspondence between the user's swing amplitude and the distance the ball will roll when struck with that swing amplitude, for each speed of the greens; a calculation step of calculating the swing amplitude that the user should use on the greens on a given day according to the distance to the pin, by referring to the storage unit based on the information acquired in the acquisition step; and a display step of displaying the swing amplitude that the user should use on the greens on a given day in a color gradient based on the result calculated in the calculation step. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a golf navigation device and its program that can provide information that leads to a better score. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is an external view showing an example of a golf navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a color gradient in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing another example of a color gradient in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a functional block diagram of a golf navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a flowchart of the golf navigation system. [Figure 6] This is an external view showing an example of a color mat according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram showing how the color mat is used in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a notebook according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] Figure 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of the golf navigation device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below are merely illustrative. That is, the embodiments described below can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. In the drawings, parts denoted by the same reference numerals represent the same or similar parts unless otherwise specified.

[0011] "overview" This invention relates to a golf watch and a golf application program (golf app) that can be installed on smartphones and the like. Based on the user's swing strength, the speed of the green on the day, and the slope, the appropriate swing amplitude is automatically color-coded and displayed in a color gradient for each user. The color gradient represents the color of the swing amplitude to be hit and corresponds to the color mat proposed by the applicant in Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-025565. By simply hitting the ball with the swing amplitude indicated by the color gradient, it is possible to hit the ball according to the distance to the pin.

[0012] 《Gofuru Watch》 Figure 1 is an external view showing an example of a golf navigation device 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, a golf watch equipped with GPS functionality for distance measurement and course guidance is shown as an example. The screen 25M displays the green 25G and surrounding ponds and bunkers. A golf navigation device 20 with similar functionality can also be realized by downloading a golf app to a smartphone instead of using such a golf watch.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the golf navigation device 20 in the embodiment of the present invention combines the speed of the green, the slope to the pin, and the distance to the pin to display the swing amplitude required for the shot using a color gradient 25C linked to a color mat. Since the strength of the shot varies from user to user, the user inputs their standard swing amplitude and the distance the ball will roll with that swing amplitude. As a result, the color gradient 25C changes for each user based on the input information.

[0014] Color gradation Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of color gradation 25C, where Figure 2(A) shows the case when the green speed is 8 feet, and Figure 2(B) shows the case when the green speed is 10 feet.

[0015] Here, it is assumed that the user is female professional golfer A (reference green "9 feet", swing width "5 green steps"). The reference green "9 feet" and swing width "5 green steps" mean that on a reference green with a green speed of 9 feet, when swinging comfortably from the green to the green of the color mat, the distance the ball rolls is 5 steps (measured by steps). Details will be described later, but the color mat is a mat with a plurality of colors arranged along the longitudinal direction, and the same colors are arranged symmetrically from the center to the left and right. Placing the ball at the center of the color mat and hitting it with a swing width from the green area to the green area is expressed as "swing from green to green".

[0016] Color Gradation 25C represents the color of the swing width to be hit. Since the green in Figure 2(B) is faster than that in Figure 2(A), the width of each color constituting Color Gradation 25C is wider. The plurality of circles centered on the position of the pin represent distances at a predetermined interval (for example, every 1 yard). Regarding the slope, it is assumed that the upper and lower parts are flat, the right side is high, and the left side is low. When hitting from the right side with respect to the pin, it is "downhill", so the width of each color constituting Color Gradation 25C is wider. On the other hand, when hitting from the left side with respect to the pin, it is "uphill", so the width of each color constituting Color Gradation 25C is narrower.

[0017] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing another example of Color Gradation 25C. Here, it is assumed that the user is female professional golfer B (reference green "9 feet", swing width "4 green steps"). Conditions such as the green speed and slope are the same as those in the case of Figure 2 (golfer A). As can be seen by comparing Figure 2 and Figure 3, Color Gradation 25C is automatically constructed by color-coding for each user according to the hitting strength of the user.

[0018] In Figures 2 and 3, the color gradient 25C is composed of eight colors (red, orange, yellow, green, light blue, blue, purple, and light purple), but the number of colors in the color gradient 25C and the arrangement of each color are not limited to these. In other words, any color gradient 25C with the same number of colors and arrangement as the color mat is acceptable. When multiple types of color mats are sold, the type of color mat is entered into the golf navigation device 20, and the device displays a color gradient 25C with the same number of colors and arrangement as the entered type of color mat.

[0019] System Configuration Example Figure 4 is a functional block diagram of a golf navigation device 20 in an embodiment of the present invention. This golf navigation device 20 is a portable device that utilizes radio waves from GPS satellites and functionally comprises an acquisition unit 21, an input unit 22, a calculation unit 23, a storage unit 24, and a display unit 25. In addition, it is assumed to include various sensor groups and other functional units that are typically found in a golf watch.

[0020] The acquisition unit 21 is a functional unit that acquires various data from external devices connected via a network. For example, it acquires information indicating the speed of the greens on a given day and information indicating the slope of each hole. The source of the information is not particularly limited. Currently, the green speed and slope of each hole at golf courses in Japan are digitized, so the information can be acquired from various routes. The acquisition unit 21 can also acquire current location information using radio waves from GPS satellites.

[0021] The input unit 22 consists of buttons, touch panels, etc., for inputting (setting) various data. For example, it is used to input information specific to each user, such as the strength of their swing. The strength of a user's swing can be expressed as the standard swing amplitude (the swing amplitude when swinging comfortably) and the distance the ball rolls at that time. Of course, the input unit 22 is also used when searching for golf courses.

[0022] The calculation unit 23 is a functional unit that handles calculations and control. For example, based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 21 and the information input by the input unit 22, it calculates the swing amplitude that the user should use on the green on that day, according to the distance to the pin. In doing so, it refers to reference data stored in the memory unit 24. The calculation unit 23 may also utilize AI (artificial intelligence). As for the AI, it is also possible to use cloud AI, which performs all learning and inference on the cloud.

[0023] The memory unit 24 is a functional unit that stores various data and programs. For example, the memory unit 24 stores information acquired by the acquisition unit 21 and information input by the input unit 22. It also stores the latest golf course data. The golf course data includes location data, such as information on multiple locations on the golf course, such as greens and hazards. It also stores various reference data necessary for calculations by the calculation unit 23. The configuration of the reference data can vary and is not particularly limited, but one example is data showing the correspondence between "the strength of the user's shot, the speed and slope of the green" and "the distance the ball rolls." The reference data may be stored for each individual user, or users may be divided into several groups in advance, and the data may be stored for each corresponding group. For example, users may be grouped into groups such as a group where the ball rolls 7 yards when hit with the yellow club on a 9-foot green, and a group where the ball rolls 8 yards. In this way, a color gradient 25C can be constructed based on the reference data for each group. The memory unit 24 can also utilize external devices (such as cloud storage) connected via a network.

[0024] The display unit 25 is a functional unit that draws display data and displays it on a screen 25M such as a display. For example, based on the results calculated by the calculation unit 23, it displays the swing amplitude that the user should use on the green on that day using a color gradient 25C. In addition, like a typical golf watch, the layout of the hole being played can also be displayed on the screen 25M.

[0025] Example of operation Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the golf navigation device 20 shown in Figure 4. The basic operation is the same as that of a typical golf watch. For example, when you search for a golf course and go to the starting hole, the device reads the corresponding hole on the golf course from your current location information and displays the layout of the hole you are playing on the 25M screen. Below, we will omit explanations of operations that are the same as those of a typical golf watch and will only explain the distinctive operations.

[0026] First, once information regarding the green speed, slope, etc., is obtained for the day, the user operates the input unit 22 to input their hitting strength, etc. (steps S11 → S12). There are no particular restrictions on how the hitting strength is expressed, but for example, it can be expressed as "R green 16yd". "R green 16yd" means that when the ball is swung from green to green on the color mat with a standard (R) swing, the distance it rolls is 16 yards. Of course, such user-specific information can be entered in advance before play begins.

[0027] Next, the calculation unit 23 calculates the swing amplitude the user should use based on the distance to the pin, taking into account the speed and slope of the green on that day, the strength of the user's swing, etc. (step S13). When the ball lands on the green, the display unit 25 displays a color gradient 25C on the screen 25M based on the result calculated by the calculation unit 23 (step S14).

[0028] This allows the user to determine which color on the 25C color gradient corresponds to the ball's position. Since circles are drawn at predetermined intervals concentrically from the pin positions on screen 25M, the ball's position can be easily determined. Of course, if the exact ball position is desired, the distance can be determined by pacing or other methods. As a result, if the ball's position corresponds to the red area on the 25C color gradient, the user should hit the ball with a swing amplitude from red to red on the color mat. In this way, it is possible to hit the ball with a swing amplitude corresponding to the distance to the pin.

[0029] Color Mat Figure 6 is an external view showing an example of a color mat 70N in an embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen in Figures 6(A) and 6(B), the number of colors and the arrangement of each color in the color mat 70N are not particularly limited and can be changed as appropriate. The color mat 70N has a color pattern 3 in which multiple colors are arranged along the longitudinal direction (left-right direction). A center line CL is provided in the central part CE of the color mat 70N, and the same colors are arranged symmetrically from the central part CE at a constant width. If the length of the color mat is, for example, 50 cm, the number of colors may be 5. In addition, the number of colors (width of each color) may be different on the front and back surfaces of the color mat 70N. In this way, the same color mat 70N can be used by beginners and advanced users alike.

[0030] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing how the color mat 70N is used in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 7, the user 60 places the ball 51 on the upper part of the center line CL of the color mat 70N (towards the back when viewed from the standing position) and checks the color corresponding to the swing amplitude. This allows for practice to achieve the same distance with the same swing amplitude. As a result, when the ball 51 lands on the green 50 on the golf course, it becomes possible to reliably hit the ball the distance to the pin simply by using the swing amplitude of the colors shown in the color gradation 25C.

[0031] Regarding data conversion: Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a notebook 80 in an embodiment of the present invention. Of course, the configuration of the notebook 80 is merely illustrative and can be modified as appropriate. The notebook 80 is used by the user during practice and is filled out in the following manner.

[0032] For example, as shown in Figure 8, enter the green speed in column [1]. Here, we are using the example of a green speed of 9 feet. Enter the amount of curve for each slope in columns [2], [3], and [4]. Enter the distance the ball will roll when you hit it with the smallest possible swing width in column [8]. Enter the distance the ball will roll when you hit it comfortably with a standard tempo and standard swing width in column [9]. Swing tempo varies from person to person, and there is a best tempo for each individual, so find it and enter it in column [9]. The information in column [9] is the most important as it is information for a standard (R) swing. Enter the distance the ball will roll when you hit it with the intention of rolling it as far as possible in column

[10] . In columns [5], [6], [7],

[11] ,

[12] ,

[13] , and

[14] , record the distance the ball rolls when hit with the standard tempo and the red swing amplitude for each slope of 0, +1°, +2°, +3°, -1°, -2°, and -3°, respectively. There are no particular restrictions on the unit of distance; it can be steps or yards. The rolling distance may differ from the previous time if the tempo is off, but there is no need to worry in that case either; check the tempo and correct the data to reflect a consistent tempo. Record the distance the ball rolls in the same manner for other colors (orange, yellow, green, blue, etc.).

[0033] Based on the information recorded in the notebook 80, reference data is created, and color gradation 25C is constructed based on this reference data. As can be seen in videos of professional golfers, the speed and slope of the green are proportional to the amplitude of the swing, so once data is collected, the distance affected by the slope can also be displayed based on the amplitude of the swing. Slope data is also collected, but the distance when there is a slope can also be calculated computationally. The formula for showing the relationship between slope and the distance the ball rolls can be any generally known one and is not particularly limited. People who hit the ball at roughly the same distance according to the reference tempo recorded in the notebook 80 can be grouped, and color gradation 25C can be constructed for each group. If data is collected from a large number of subjects, it is also possible to construct color gradation 25C using AI. For example, the combination of "user's hitting strength, green speed, slope" and "distance the ball rolls" can be used as training data to train the AI. In this way, by inputting the user's hitting strength and obtaining information on green speed and slope, it is possible to analyze this information with the trained AI and accurately calculate the distance the ball rolls.

[0034] Hardware configuration example Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the golf navigation device 20 shown in Figure 4. For example, as shown in Figure 9, the processor 20A, memory 20B, storage device 20C, communication interface unit 20D, input device 20E, GPS receiver 20F, output device 20G, sensor group 20H, etc., are connected to each other via bus 20I so that they can communicate with one another. The processor 20A is an arithmetic processing unit that performs various controls and calculations. The memory 20B is a volatile memory that stores various data and programs. The storage device 20C is a non-volatile memory that stores various data and programs. The communication interface unit 20D is a device that controls communication with external devices, etc. The input device 20E includes buttons or a touch panel for inputting data, and a microphone for inputting voice. The GPS receiver 20F is a device that receives radio waves from GPS satellites. The output device 20G is a display (display device) that displays display data on a screen, and a speaker that outputs sound. The sensor group 20H includes a compass sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, etc. In addition, the computer may be equipped with a reader for reading data and programs recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. In such a computer, the processor 20A controls each device to realize the various functions of the golf navigation device 20.

[0035] Characteristic configuration and effects of the present invention As described above, the golf navigation device 20 in the embodiment of the present invention is a portable golf watch or the like that utilizes radio waves from GPS satellites, and comprises an acquisition unit 21, a storage unit 24, a calculation unit 23, and a display unit 25. The acquisition unit 21 acquires information indicating the speed of the greens on that day. The storage unit 24 stores data indicating the correspondence between the user's swing amplitude and the distance the ball will roll when hit with that swing amplitude, for each green speed. The calculation unit 23 calculates the swing amplitude that the user should use on the greens on that day according to the distance to the pin, by referring to the storage unit 24 based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 21. The display unit 25 displays the swing amplitude that the user should use on the greens on that day using a color gradient 25C, based on the result calculated by the calculation unit 23. This makes it possible to hit the ball with a swing amplitude corresponding to the distance to the pin, thus providing information that leads to a better score.

[0036] Furthermore, the acquisition unit 21 acquires information indicating the slope of each hole, the storage unit 24 stores data showing the correspondence between the slope and the distance the ball rolls, and the calculation unit 23 calculates the swing amplitude that the user should use according to the slope. This makes it possible to display a color gradient 25C that corresponds not only to the speed of the green but also to the slope.

[0037] Furthermore, it includes an input unit 22 for inputting information indicating the strength of the user's hit, and a storage unit 24 that stores data showing the correspondence between the strength of the user's hit and the distance the ball rolls. The calculation unit 23, based on the information input by the input unit 22, refers to the storage unit 24 to calculate the swing amplitude that should be used according to the strength of the user's hit. This makes it possible to display the optimal color gradient 25C for each individual user.

[0038] Furthermore, the display unit 25 displays a color gradient 25C that corresponds to the color mat 70N, which has multiple colors arranged along its longitudinal direction. This means that if you practice using the color mat 70N to hit the ball the same distance with the same swing amplitude, you will be able to hit the ball according to the distance to the pin simply by hitting it with the swing amplitude of the colors shown in the color gradient 25C.

[0039] Furthermore, the present invention can be implemented as a golf navigation method in which each characteristic functional part of such a golf navigation device 20 is used as a step, or as a golf navigation program (application program) for causing a computer to execute those steps. Needless to say, such a program can be installed on a computer (such as a smartphone) via a computer-readable recording medium or via a network such as the Internet.

[0040] [Other embodiments] As described above, embodiments of the present invention have been presented, but the descriptions and drawings that constitute part of the disclosure are illustrative and should not be understood as limiting. Various alternative embodiments, examples, and operational techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0041] 20 Golf Navigation System 21 Acquisition Department 22 Input section 23 Arithmetic section 24 Memory section 25 Display section 25C Color Gradient 70N Color Matte

Claims

1. A portable golf navigation device that uses radio waves from artificial satellites, An acquisition unit that obtains information indicating the speed of the greens on that day, A storage unit that stores data showing the correspondence between the user's swing amplitude and the distance the ball rolls when struck with that swing amplitude, for each of the aforementioned green speeds, Based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit, a calculation unit calculates the swing amplitude that the user should use on the green on that day, according to the distance to the pin, by referring to the storage unit. Based on the results calculated by the calculation unit, a display unit displays the swing amplitude that the user should hit on the green on that day using a color gradient. A golf navigation system equipped with [features / equipment].

2. The acquisition unit acquires information indicating the slope of each hole, The memory unit stores data indicating the correspondence between the incline and the distance the ball rolls. The calculation unit calculates the swing amplitude that the user should use according to the incline. The golf navigation device according to claim 1.

3. Furthermore, it is equipped with an input unit for inputting information indicating the strength of the user's strike, The memory unit stores data indicating the correspondence between the force with which the user hits the ball and the distance the ball rolls. The calculation unit, based on the information input by the input unit, refers to the storage unit and calculates the swing amplitude to be struck according to the strength of the user's strike. The golf navigation device according to claim 1.

4. The golf navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the display unit displays a color gradient corresponding to a color mat in which multiple colors are arranged along the longitudinal direction.

5. On the computer, The acquisition step involves obtaining information indicating the speed of the greens on that day, A storage step involves storing data in a memory unit that shows the correspondence between the user's swing amplitude and the distance the ball rolls when struck with that swing amplitude, for each of the aforementioned green speeds. Based on the information acquired in the acquisition step, a calculation step is performed to calculate the swing amplitude that the user should use on the green on that day, according to the distance to the pin, by referring to the storage unit. Based on the results calculated in the calculation step, a display step is performed to display the swing amplitude that the user should hit on the green on that day using a color gradient. A golf navigation program to enable this.

Images