User terminal and search system

Abstract

To enable a user to find a golf ball more readily.SOLUTION: A user terminal includes: a communication part for receiving an electric wave transmitted from a wireless communication tag included in a golf ball; an output part for outputting information to a user; and a control unit for controlling the output part to output information in accordance with the electric wave received from the wireless communication tag included in the golf ball.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to techniques for locating a golf ball. [Background technology]

[0002] During play, golf players need to simultaneously perform various tasks such as selecting a club, searching for a ball, and managing the score, etc. For this reason, various golf tools have been proposed with the aim of reducing the workload of players (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] In playing golf, the ball is often hit over 200 yards. If the ball stops on the fairway after flying, it is relatively easy to find the ball. On the other hand, if the ball flies into the rough, it can be difficult to find the ball afterwards. In particular, if the ball flies into deep rough or into a forest, it can be difficult to even determine the ball's approximate location. To address this problem, technologies have been proposed that make it easier to find the ball by emitting an odor from the ball or emitting light or sound from the ball. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-338336 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, since the smell of trees and grass permeates the golf course, it is often difficult to find the ball by smell. Also, if the ball falls into deep rough, it is very difficult to detect the light and sound emitted from the ball. Therefore, the problem of how to find the golf ball still remains. In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that enables a player to more easily find a golf ball. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a user terminal that includes a communication unit that receives radio waves transmitted from a wireless communication tag attached to a golf ball, an output unit that outputs information to a user, and a control unit that controls the output unit in response to the radio waves received from the wireless communication tag attached to the golf ball to output information.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is the user terminal described above, wherein the control unit determines an output mode by the output unit depending on the reception strength of the radio wave.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned user terminal, wherein the wireless communication tag transmits radio waves using power generated by receiving radio waves transmitted from the communication unit, the communication unit is capable of outputting radio waves, and the control unit determines the timing of outputting radio waves from the communication unit depending on the reception strength of the radio waves received from the wireless communication tag.

[0009] One aspect of the present invention is the user terminal described above, wherein the radio waves output by the communication unit are radio waves in the 2.4 GHz band.

[0010] One aspect of the present invention is a search system comprising a golf ball equipped with a wireless communication tag that transmits radio waves, and a user terminal, the user terminal comprising a communication unit that receives the radio waves transmitted from the wireless communication tag equipped on the golf ball, an output unit that outputs information to a user, and a control unit that controls the output unit in response to the radio waves received from the wireless communication tag equipped on the golf ball to output information. Effect of the Invention

[0011] The present invention makes it easier to find a golf ball. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a system configuration of a search system 100 according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the functional configuration of a user terminal 20. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of an output mode table. [Figure 4] 13 is a diagram showing a display example on the output unit 24. FIG. [Diagram 5] 13 is a flowchart showing a specific example of the flow of operations of the user terminal 20. [Figure 6] 11 is a sequence chart when the user terminal 20 and the information providing device 30 operate in cooperation with each other. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, specific configuration examples of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the system configuration of a search system 100 of the present invention. The search system 100 includes a golf ball 10, a user terminal 20, and an information providing device 30. The golf ball 10 and the user terminal 20 communicate wirelessly. The user terminal 20 and the information providing device 30 communicate via a network 40. The network 40 may be a network using wireless communication or a network using wired communication. The network 40 may be configured by combining a plurality of networks.

[0014] The golf ball 10 includes a wireless communication tag. The wireless communication tag may be attached to the outside of the golf ball 10 or embedded inside the golf ball 10. The wireless communication tag stores identification information assigned in advance. The wireless communication tag may be configured using, for example, a passive IC tag or an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag. The wireless communication tag may be configured using, for example, a passive Bluetooth (registered trademark) chip. In particular, by using a passive tag or chip, the golf ball 10 does not need to include a battery, and safety and availability can be improved. When a passive IC tag, an RFID tag, or a Bluetooth (registered trademark) chip is used, the wireless communication tag may transmit the identification information by reflecting radio waves emitted from the user terminal 20. It is desirable that the identification information of the golf ball 10 is unique information. However, the identification information of the golf ball 10 may be configured so that one of a large number of candidate values ​​is selected to such an extent that the probability that golf balls 10 assigned with the same identification information are used in the same round is very low (for example, 1% or less). The wireless communication tag of the golf ball 10 transmits identification information to the user terminal 20 by wirelessly communicating with the user terminal 20.

[0015] The user terminal 20 is a device that wirelessly communicates with the wireless communication tag of the golf ball 10. The user terminal 20 is a device designed in weight and size so that it can be carried by a user. The user terminal 20 may be a portable information processing device such as a smartphone, a tablet device, or a wearable computer. Specific examples of wearable computers include devices such as a smart watch and smart glasses. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the functional configuration of the user terminal 20. The user terminal 20 includes a first communication unit 21, a second communication unit 22, an input unit 23, an output unit 24, a position acquisition unit 25, a memory unit 26, and a control unit 27.

[0016] The first communication unit 21 is configured using a communication device. The first communication unit 21 wirelessly communicates with the wireless communication tag of the golf ball 10. The first communication unit 21 outputs radio waves of a predetermined frequency according to, for example, a Bluetooth protocol. The first communication unit 21 outputs radio waves of a predetermined frequency according to, for example, an RFID protocol. The first communication unit 21 may be configured to output directional radio waves, or may be configured to output non-directional radio waves. When the wireless communication tag of the golf ball 10 is a passive type, the first communication unit 21 is configured using a device capable of communicating with a passive type wireless communication tag. The first communication unit 21 may communicate using radio waves in, for example, a 2.4 GHz frequency band. When the first communication unit 21 wirelessly communicates with the golf ball 10 according to the Bluetooth protocol, it is desirable that a pairing process is performed between the golf ball 10 and the user terminal 20 before hitting the golf ball 10.

[0017] The second communication unit 22 is configured using a communication device. The second communication unit 22 communicates with other communication devices and information processing devices via the network 40. The second communication unit 22 transmits and receives data to and from the information providing device 30, for example.

[0018] The input unit 23 is configured using existing input devices such as a keyboard, a pointing device (mouse, tablet, etc.), buttons, a touch panel, etc. The input unit 23 is operated by a user when inputting a user's instruction to the user terminal 20. The input unit 23 may be an interface for connecting the input device to the user terminal 20. In this case, the input unit 23 inputs to the user terminal 20 an input signal generated in the input device in response to a user's input.

[0019] The output unit 24 is configured using an output device capable of notifying the user of information. The output unit 24 may be configured using, for example, a lamp such as an LED. The output unit 24 may be configured using, for example, a speaker. The output unit 24 may be configured using, for example, an image display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescent) display. The output unit 24 may be configured using a device that outputs vibrations (vibrator). The output unit 24 may be configured using any device as long as it is capable of notifying the user of information.

[0020] The location acquisition unit 25 acquires location information indicating the current location of the user terminal 20. The location acquisition unit 25 may be configured using, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) device. The location acquisition unit 25 may be configured to acquire location information based on, for example, the reception strength of signals received from multiple base stations for mobile communication. In this case, part of the functions of the location acquisition unit 25 may be implemented in the control unit 27.

[0021] The storage unit 26 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk drive or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 26 stores information required for processing by the control unit 27. The storage unit 26 stores, for example, a search target table. The search target table has one or more pieces of identification information registered by the user as identification information of the golf ball 10 to be searched for.

[0022] The storage unit 26 stores, for example, an output mode table. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of the output mode table. The output mode table has a plurality of output mode records 261. The output mode record 261 has a value of reception strength and an output mode. The reception strength indicates the reception strength of the radio wave received from the golf ball 10 at the first communication unit 21. The value of the reception strength in the output mode record 261 may be information indicating a range of values.

[0023] The output mode indicates the mode of output performed by the output unit 24 when the reception strength at the first communication unit 21 is within the range of the reception strength value in the output mode record 261. The output mode is defined as an output mode that indicates that the ball is closer as the value of the reception strength at the first communication unit 21 is higher.

[0024] For example, the output mode may indicate the volume of the sound to be output when the output unit 24 is a speaker. In this case, the output mode table may be defined so that the higher the value of the reception intensity, the louder the sound is output. The output mode may indicate the pitch of the sound to be output when the output unit 24 is a speaker. In this case, the output mode table may be defined so that the higher the value of the reception intensity, the higher the sound is output. However, the output pitch is a pitch that can be fully heard by the human ear. The output mode may indicate the type of sound to be output when the output unit 24 is a speaker. For example, a sound indicating the degree of distance to the ball may be output according to the value of the reception intensity. For example, when the value of the reception intensity is in the highest range, a human voice saying "There is a ball nearby" is output, when the value of the reception intensity is in the medium range, a human voice saying "There is a ball nearby" is output, when the value of the reception intensity is in the low range, a human voice saying "The ball may be nearby" is output, and when the value of the reception intensity is in the lowest range, a human voice saying "The ball is not nearby" may be output. The output mode may indicate the display mode of an image when the output unit 24 is configured using an image display device. For example, the size of the image of the ball may be changed depending on the value of the reception strength.

[0025] The output mode may indicate the brightness of the light output from the lamp when the output unit 24 is a lamp. In this case, the output mode table may be defined so that the higher the value of the reception intensity, the brighter the light output. The output mode may indicate the number of lamps that are turned on when the output unit 24 is a plurality of lamps. In this case, the output mode table may be defined so that the higher the value of the reception intensity, the more lamps that are turned on. The output mode may indicate the position of the lamp that is turned on when the output unit 24 is a plurality of lamps. In this case, the output mode table may be defined so that the higher the value of the reception intensity, the more lamps that indicate that the ball is closer are turned on. The above-mentioned example of the output mode table is merely one specific example. The output mode table may be defined in any way.

[0026] Returning to the description of FIG. 2, the control unit 27 is configured using a processor such as a CPU and a memory. The control unit 27 functions as a target ball information registration unit 271 and a search unit 272 by the processor executing a program. All or part of the functions of the control unit 27 may be realized using hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium is, for example, a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, or a semiconductor storage device (for example, an SSD: Solid State Drive), or a storage device such as a hard disk or a semiconductor storage device built into a computer system. The above program may be transmitted via an electric communication line.

[0027] The target ball information registration unit 271 registers the identification information of the wireless communication tag of the golf ball 10 in the search target table in response to a user's operation. For example, in response to a predetermined registration operation being performed on the input unit 23, the target ball information registration unit 271 may enter a state in which it accepts input of an identification target to be registered (hereinafter referred to as a "registration state"). During such a registration state, the target ball information registration unit 271 may operate the first communication unit 21 to receive identification information from the wireless communication tag of the golf ball 10 located within a communicable distance. In the registration state, the target ball information registration unit 271 may set the intensity of the radio wave output from the first communication unit 21 to a lower intensity than in the search state. With this configuration, it is possible to receive identification information only from the wireless communication tag of the golf ball 10 that the user intends to register, and it is possible to prevent the user from erroneously receiving and registering identification information from the wireless communication tag of a golf ball 10 that is not intended by the user. The target ball information registration unit 271 registers the identification information received during the registration state in the search target table. The process of registering the identification information of the wireless communication tag in the search target table may be implemented as Bluetooth pairing. In this case, the registration state may be implemented as a Bluetooth pairing connection standby state.

[0028] The search unit 272 searches for the golf ball 10 in response to a user's operation. For example, in response to a predetermined start operation being performed on the input unit 23, the search unit 272 transitions to a state in which it performs a search (hereinafter referred to as a "search state") and starts the search. In the search state, the search unit 272 operates the first communication unit 21 to receive identification information from a wireless communication tag of the golf ball 10 located within a communicable distance. When radio waves including the identification information are received, the search unit 272 determines an output mode according to the reception strength of the received radio waves based on an output mode table. The search unit 272 operates the output unit 24 in accordance with the determined output mode.

[0029] When the identification information is registered in the search target table, the search unit 272 operates the output unit 24 only when radio waves including the identification information registered in the search target table are received. By configuring in this manner, even in a situation where there are many golf balls in the vicinity, it is possible to search only for golf balls 10 registered in advance in the search target table, making it easier to find the desired golf ball 10.

[0030] The search unit 272 estimates the position of the golf ball 10 based on the reception strength of the radio wave and the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit 25. For example, the area inside a circle having a radius according to the reception strength and centered on the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit 25 may be estimated as the position where the golf ball 10 is located. The search unit 272 may estimate, for example, an area included in all of the areas of the estimation results at a plurality of positions as the position where the golf ball 10 is located. The search unit 272 outputs information indicating the estimation result via the output unit 24. For example, the search unit 272 may receive map information from the information providing device 30 that provides map information, and cause the output unit 24 to display a screen in which the position of the estimation result is superimposed on the map information.

[0031] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of display on the output unit 24. In the example of Fig. 4, the output unit 24 displays a map of a hole (hole number 12) of the golf course where the user terminal 20 is located, a frame 241 indicating the estimated position (area), and a point 242 indicating the position of the user terminal 20. In the example of Fig. 4, the frame 241 is circular, but it does not necessarily have to be circular. As described above, when an area included in all of the areas of the estimation results at multiple positions is estimated as the position of the golf ball 10, the frame 241 indicating the shape of that area is displayed.

[0032] The information providing device 30 is configured using an information processing device such as a server or a personal computer. The information providing device 30 is configured to be able to communicate with other information processing devices via a network 40. The information providing device 30 provides a service related to a search using a user terminal 20. For example, the information providing device 30 may be configured to perform an authentication process or online activation to enable the user terminal 20 or an application running on the user terminal 20 to be used. The information providing device 30 may perform a process to realize a link with another application that provides, for example, a map of a golf course. In response to such a link, the information providing device 30 may provide the user terminal 20 with information showing a map of the golf course.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a specific example of the operation flow of the user terminal 20. The control unit 27 waits without outputting radio waves from the first communication unit 21 until a predetermined start operation is performed by the user on the input unit 23 (step S101-NO). When the user performs a predetermined start operation on the input unit 23 (step S101-YES), the control unit 27 outputs radio waves from the first communication unit 21 (step 102). When the control unit 27 receives radio waves transmitted from the wireless communication tag of the golf ball 10, it judges the received reception strength (step S103). The control unit 27 determines the output mode according to the judgment result of the reception strength (step S104). The control unit 27 controls the output unit 24 in the determined output mode to perform output (step S105). Thereafter, the control unit 27 repeatedly executes the processes of steps S102 to S105 at a predetermined cycle until an end operation is performed (step S106-NO). When the end operation is performed (step S106-YES), the control unit 27 ends the process in the search state.

[0034] Control unit 27 may be configured to perform the process of step S105 only when radio waves including predetermined identification information are received. The predetermined identification information may be identification information in a predetermined format (e.g., identification information including a predetermined character string in the first n characters) that is previously used in the identification information of the wireless communication tag of golf ball 10. Control unit 27 may be configured to perform the process of step S105 only when radio waves including identification information registered in the search target table are received.

[0035] In the search system 100 configured in this manner, the output unit 24 of the user terminal 20 operates in response to communication with the wireless communication tag previously attached to the golf ball 10. Therefore, the user can easily estimate the position of the golf ball 10 even if it is invisible, based on the output from the output unit 24. As a result, the golf ball 10 can be found in a shorter time. As a result, the user's anxiety about not being able to find the golf ball 10 or having someone else find his / her golf ball 10 can be alleviated, and the user's mental state when playing golf can be improved.

[0036] Furthermore, in the search system 100 configured in this manner, a general-purpose user terminal 20 may be used as a device for searching for the golf ball 10, rather than a dedicated device. Specifically, the golf ball 10 can be searched for using a device such as a smartphone or a wearable computer that the user normally carries with them. Therefore, compared to the case where a dedicated device is used, the burden on the user can be reduced and convenience can be improved.

[0037] (Modification) The search unit 272 may be configured to variably control the output period of the radio waves from the first communication unit 21 according to the reception strength. For example, the output period of the radio waves from the first communication unit 21 may be controlled so that the higher the reception strength, the longer the output period. With this configuration, in a state where the approximate position of the golf ball 10 has not yet been determined (a state where the reception strength is zero), it is possible to determine the approximate position as early as possible by outputting radio waves at a relatively short period. On the other hand, when radio waves from the golf ball 10 to be searched for have already been received with high reception strength, the position is almost known, so the user can sufficiently find the golf ball 10 even if radio waves are output at a relatively long period. In addition, by outputting radio waves at a relatively long period, it is possible to reduce power consumption.

[0038] The search system 100 may be configured as a system including a golf ball 10 and a user terminal 20.

[0039] The user terminal 20 may be configured with only one pattern of output mode without changing the output mode. Even when the user terminal 20 configured in this way is used, it becomes possible to find the golf ball 10 more easily than before.

[0040] A part or all of the processing performed by the control unit 27 of the user terminal 20 may be performed by the information providing device 30. In that case, the user terminal 20 may be configured to transmit information such as reception strength to the information providing device 30, and the user terminal 20 may receive the results of the processing in the information providing device 30.

[0041] 6 is a sequence chart in the case where part of the processing performed by the control unit 27 of the user terminal 20 is performed by the information providing device 30. In the example of FIG.

[0042] When the user terminal 20 obtains the reception strength, it generates data indicating the reception strength (reception strength information). The user terminal 20 acquires location information of the user terminal 20 (step S202). The user terminal 20 generates request information including the reception strength information and the location information. Then, the user terminal 20 transmits the request information to the information providing device 30 (step S203).

[0043] When the information providing device 30 receives the information request, it estimates the position of the golf ball 10 based on the position information and reception strength included in the information request (step S204). At this time, the position of the golf ball 10 may be estimated as an area. The information providing device 30 generates response information including an image of the hole of the golf course where the user terminal 20 is located and the estimation result of the position of the golf ball 10. Then, the information providing device 30 transmits the response information to the user terminal 20 (step S205).

[0044] When the user terminal 20 receives the response information, the user terminal 20 generates an image showing the position of the golf ball 10 based on the image included in the response information and the estimation result (step S206). Then, the user terminal 20 displays the generated image on the output unit 24 (step S207).

[0045] The golf ball 10 may include one or more sensors. For example, the golf ball 10 may include a weight sensor. When the pressure is measured by the weight sensor, the measurement result is transmitted to the user terminal 20 by wireless communication. When the user terminal 20 receives the measurement result via the first communication unit 21, it counts the number of strokes in golf according to the received result. For example, when the measurement result of the weight sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold due to an impact occurring during a shot, the search unit 272 of the user terminal 20 may count the number of strokes as if one shot had occurred, and calculate the score. In this case, another device (for example, a golf-related device) linked to the user terminal 20 may correct the erroneous detection information. The search unit 272 may also record the score of the entire play based on putt information recorded by another device.

[0046] The search unit 272 of the user terminal 20 may determine information indicating the strength of a shot or swing based on the measurement results of the weight sensor. The search unit 272 may output the determination results to the output unit 24. Based on these results, the user can determine the quality of each swing. In general, when a long-distance club such as a driver is used, a larger value is better. The search unit 272 may record and display the highest score of the user in a ranking format.

[0047] The golf ball 10 may be equipped with an acceleration sensor. The search unit 272 of the user terminal 20 may determine the movement of the golf ball 10 based on the measurement results of the acceleration sensor. For example, the search unit 272 may determine the number of rotations of the golf ball 10 based on the measurement results of the acceleration sensor.

[0048] The golf ball 10 may include a memory in an MCU (Micro Controller Unit). The memory may record the measurement results of the sensors.

[0049] The search unit 272 may output various information obtained based on the measurement results of the sensor at the output unit 24. For example, the elements of the flight distance of a golf ball are "initial speed of the ball," "launch angle," and "backspin." The above three elements may be recorded during a swing, and the difference from the ideal value may be output. For example, according to one theory, the faster the initial speed of the ball, the better, the launch angle is said to be about 12 degrees to 14 degrees, and the backspin is said to be appropriate at 2200 to 2500 rotations. The difference from such ideal values ​​may be output. In addition, in order to suppress excessive curvature to the left and right, it may be determined whether the lateral rotation is 500 rotations or less, and output to the user.

[0050] The user terminal 20 may be configured to receive and register a user's input each time a ball is found. This configuration allows the number of strokes of a ball to be easily counted after play.

[0051] The search unit 272 of the user terminal 20 may count the number of times Bluetooth pairing has been performed with the same golf ball 10. The search unit 272 may treat this counting result as the number of strokes. For example, the search unit 272 may determine the counting result from when pairing is performed with a certain golf ball 10 until pairing is performed with another golf ball 10 as the number of strokes until the golf ball 10 is lost. The search unit 272 may calculate a statistical value such as an average value of the number of strokes until the golf ball 10 is lost.

[0052] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and designs that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention are also included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 100...search system, 10...golf ball, 20...user terminal, 21...first communication unit, 22...second communication unit, 23...input unit, 24...output unit, 25...position acquisition unit, 26...storage unit, 27...control unit, 271...target ball information registration unit, 272...search unit, 30...information providing device, 40...network

Claims

1. a communication unit that transmits radio waves to a radio communication tag provided on a golf ball and receives radio waves transmitted from the radio communication tag that transmits radio waves using power generated by receiving the radio waves; an output unit for outputting image information to a user; a control unit that controls the output unit in response to radio waves received from a wireless communication tag attached to the golf ball to output image information; a location acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating a current location of the device; Equipped with the control unit, when in a state of registering a golf ball, sets the intensity of the radio wave transmitted from the communication unit to a lower intensity compared to when in a state of searching for the golf ball; When the control unit is in a state of searching for the golf ball, the control unit performs an estimation process to estimate an area where the golf ball may be located at the position indicated by the position information based on the reception strength of the radio wave received by the communication unit and the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit, estimates a plurality of areas where the golf ball may be located by performing the estimation process at a plurality of positions indicated by the position information, and estimates an area included in all of the plurality of areas as the area where the registered golf ball is located, The control unit controls the output unit to output image information indicating the area where the golf ball is located according to the estimation result of the area.

2. The communication unit is capable of outputting radio waves, The user terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit outputs radio waves from the communication unit so that the output period becomes longer as the reception strength of the radio waves received from the wireless communication tag becomes higher.

3. The user terminal according to claim 2 , wherein the radio waves output by the communication unit are in the 2.4 GHz band.

4. A search system including a golf ball equipped with a wireless communication tag that transmits radio waves and a user terminal, The user terminal, a communication unit that transmits radio waves to a radio communication tag provided on the golf ball and receives radio waves transmitted from the radio communication tag that transmits radio waves using power generated by receiving the radio waves; an output unit for outputting image information to a user; a control unit that controls the output unit in response to radio waves received from a wireless communication tag attached to the golf ball to output image information; a location acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating a current location of the device; Equipped with the control unit, when in a state of registering a golf ball, sets the intensity of the radio wave transmitted from the communication unit to a lower intensity compared to when in a state of searching for the golf ball; When the control unit is in a state of searching for the golf ball, the control unit performs an estimation process to estimate an area where the golf ball may be located at the position indicated by the position information based on the reception strength of the radio wave received by the communication unit and the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit, estimates a plurality of areas where the golf ball may be located by performing the estimation process at a plurality of positions indicated by the position information, and estimates an area included in all of the plurality of areas as the area where the registered golf ball is located, The control unit controls the output unit to output image information indicating the area where the golf ball is located according to an estimation result of the area.

Images