Patent Description:
A golf player needs to perform various tasks in parallel during play, such as selecting a club, searching for a ball, and managing a score. For this reason, various golf tools have been proposed for the purpose of reducing the workload of a player (for example, refer to Patent Literature <NUM>).

In golf play, it often happens that a ball is thrown more than <NUM> yards. When a ball stops on a fairway after having flown, it is possible to find the ball relatively easily. On the other hand, when a ball flies to a rough, it can be difficult to find the ball afterwards. In particular, when a ball flies into a deep rough or forest, it may be even difficult to determine the approximate position of the ball. To solve such problems, a technology that facilitates a search for a ball by generating an odor from a ball or generating light or sound from a ball has been proposed. <CIT> relates to golf and hunting, and more particularly to systems and devices to aid in these activities and devices and systems for use with tagged objects such as golf balls, arrows and bullets. <CIT> relates to a device and method for locating a golf ball. <CIT> relates to a method and an apparatus which search the position of a wireless tag using a radio wireless machine. <CIT> relates to RFID positioning and a mobile communication terminal capable of pinpointing a tag's location. <CIT> relates to detecting the location of movable objects embedded with or attached to a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag such as, for example, golf balls on a golf course or golf practice range or household items such as keys or TV remotes.

However, it is often difficult to find a ball by an odor because a golf course is filled with odors of, for example, trees and grass. In addition, when a ball goes into a deep rough, it will be very difficult to detect the light and sound emitted from the ball. For this reason, it still remains unsolved how to find a golf ball.

In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a technology capable of find a golf ball more easily.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a user terminal is defined in the appended set of claims.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a search system is defined in the appended set of claims.

According to the present invention, it is possible to find a golf ball more easily.

Hereinafter, a specific configuration example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> is a schematic block diagram which shows a system configuration of a search system <NUM> of the present invention. The search system <NUM> includes a golf ball <NUM>, a user terminal <NUM>, and an information providing apparatus <NUM>. The golf ball <NUM> and the user terminal <NUM> perform wireless communication with each other. The user terminal <NUM> and the information providing apparatus <NUM> communicate with each other via a network <NUM>. The network <NUM> may be a network using wireless communication or a network using wired communication. The network <NUM> may be configured by combining a plurality of networks.

The golf ball <NUM> includes a wireless communication tag. The wireless communication tag may be attached to the outside of the golf ball <NUM> or may be embedded inside the golf ball <NUM>. The wireless communication tag stores identification information assigned in advance. The wireless communication tag may be configured using, for example, a passive type IC tag or a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The wireless communication tag may be configured using, for example, a passive type Bluetooth (registered trademark) chip. In particular, by using a passive type tag or chip, the golf ball <NUM> does not need to include a battery, and safety and availability can be improved. When a passive type IC tag, an RFID tag, or a Bluetooth (registered trademark) chip is used, the wireless communication tag may transmit identification information by reflecting radio waves emitted from the user terminal <NUM>. It is desirable that the identification information of the golf ball <NUM> be unique information. However, the identification information of the golf ball <NUM> may also be configured such that one of a plurality of candidate values is selected so that a probability of a golf ball <NUM> to which the same identification information is assigned being used in the same round has a very low value (for example, <NUM>% or less). A wireless communication tag of the golf ball <NUM> transmits identification information to the user terminal <NUM> by performing wireless communication with the user terminal <NUM>.

The user terminal <NUM> is a device that performs wireless communication with the wireless communication tag of the golf ball <NUM>. The user terminal <NUM> is a device whose weight and size are designed so that it can be carried by a user. The user terminal <NUM> may also be, for example, a portable information processing device such as a smartphone, a tablet device, or a wearable computer. As a specific example of a wearable computer, there is a device such as a smart watch or a smart glass. <FIG> is a schematic block diagram which shows a functional configuration of the user terminal <NUM>. The user terminal <NUM> includes a first communication unit <NUM>, a second communication unit <NUM>, an input unit <NUM>, an output unit <NUM>, a position acquiring unit <NUM>, a storage unit <NUM>, and a control unit <NUM>.

The first communication unit <NUM> is configured using a communication device. The first communication unit <NUM> performs wireless communication with the wireless communication tag of the golf ball <NUM>. The first communication unit <NUM> outputs radio waves with a predetermined frequency according to, for example, a Bluetooth protocol. The first communication unit <NUM> outputs radio waves with a predetermined frequency according to, for example, an RFID protocol. The first communication unit <NUM> 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 <NUM> is a passive type, the first communication unit <NUM> is configured using a device capable of communicating with the passive type wireless communication tag. The first communication unit <NUM> may perform communication using radio waves in a frequency band of, for example, <NUM>. When the first communication unit <NUM> performs wireless communication with the golf ball <NUM> according to a Bluetooth protocol, it is desirable that pairing processing be performed between the golf ball <NUM> and the user terminal <NUM> before the golf ball <NUM> is hit.

The second communication unit <NUM> is configured using a communication device. The second communication unit <NUM> communicates with other communication devices and information processing devices via the network <NUM>. The second communication unit <NUM> transmits or receives data to or from, for example, the information providing apparatus <NUM>.

The input unit <NUM> is configured using existing input devices such as a keyboard, a pointing device (a mouse, a tablet, or the like), buttons, and a touch panel. The input unit <NUM> is operated by a user when an instruction of the user is input to the user terminal <NUM>. The input unit <NUM> may be an interface for connecting an input device to the user terminal <NUM>. In this case, the input unit <NUM> inputs an input signal generated in response to an input by the user in the input device to the user terminal <NUM>.

The output unit <NUM> is configured using an output device that can provide a user with information. The output unit <NUM> may be configured using, for example, a lamp such as an LED. The output unit <NUM> may be configured using, for example, a speaker. The output unit <NUM> may be configured using, for example, an image display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic electro-luminescent (EL) display. The output unit <NUM> may be configured using a device (a vibrator) that outputs vibrations. The output unit <NUM> may be configured using any device as long as it can provide a user with information.

The position acquiring unit <NUM> acquires positional information indicating a current position of the user terminal <NUM>. The position acquiring unit <NUM> may be configured using, for example, a Global Positioning System (GPS) device. The position acquiring unit <NUM> may be configured to acquire positional information on the basis of, for example, a reception strength of signals received from a plurality of base stations of mobile communication, or the like. In this case, some functions of the position acquiring unit <NUM> may be implemented in the control unit <NUM>.

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

The storage unit <NUM> stores, for example, an output mode table. <FIG> is a diagram which shows a specific example of the output mode table. The output mode table has a plurality of output mode records <NUM>. The output mode record <NUM> has values of reception strength and an output mode. Reception strength indicates reception strength of radio waves received from the golf ball <NUM> in the first communication unit <NUM>. A value of reception strength in the output mode record <NUM> may also be information indicating a range of the value.

An output mode indicates an output mode performed by the output unit <NUM> when the reception strength in the first communication unit <NUM> is within a range of the value of the reception strength in the output mode record <NUM>. The output mode is defined as an output mode in which a higher value of the reception strength in the first communication unit <NUM> indicates that a ball is closer.

For example, the output mode may indicate a volume to be output when the output unit <NUM> is a speaker. In this case, the output mode table may be defined so that a sound with a larger volume is output as the value of the reception strength is higher. The output mode may indicate a pitch to be output when the output unit <NUM> is a speaker. In this case, the output mode table may be defined so that a sound with a higher pitch is output as the value of the reception strength is higher. However, an output pitch is a pitch that can be sufficiently heard by a human ear. The output mode may indicate a type of voice to be output when the output unit <NUM> is a speaker. For example, a voice indicating a degree of a distance to a ball may be output according to the value of the reception strength. For example, a human voice saying "the ball is very close" is output when the value of the reception strength is in a highest range, a human voice saying "the ball is nearby" is output when the value of the reception strength is in an intermediate range, a human voice saying "the ball might be nearby" is output when the value of the reception strength is in a low range, and a human voice saying "the ball is not nearby" is output when the value of the reception strength is in a lowest range. The output mode may indicate an image display mode when the output unit <NUM> is configured using an image display device. For example, a size of an image of a ball may be changed and displayed according to the value of the reception strength.

The output mode may indicate a brightness of light output from a lamp when the output unit <NUM> is the lamp. In this case, the output mode table may be defined so that brighter light is output as the value of the reception strength is higher. The output mode may indicate the number of lamps to be lit when the output unit <NUM> is a plurality of lamps. In this case, the output mode table may be defined so that more lamps are lit as the value of the reception strength is higher. The output mode may indicate positions of the lamps to be lit when the output unit <NUM> is a plurality of lamps. In this case, the output mode table may be defined so that a lamp indicating that a ball is closer is lit as the value of the reception strength is higher. The examples of the output mode table described above are merely specific examples. The output mode table may be defined in any manner.

Returning to description of <FIG>, the control unit <NUM> is configured using a processor such as a CPU and a memory. The control unit <NUM> functions as a target ball information registration unit <NUM> and a search unit <NUM> when a processor executes a program. All or some functions of the control unit <NUM> may be realized using hardware such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The program described above may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium. A computer-readable recording medium is a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disc, a ROM, a CD-ROM, or a semiconductor storage device (for example, a solid state drive (SSD)), or a storage device such as a hard disk or a semiconductor storage device embedded in a computer system. The program described above may be transmitted via an electric telecommunication line.

The target ball information registration unit <NUM> registers identification information of the wireless communication tag of the golf ball <NUM> in a search target table according to an operation of a user. For example, the target ball information registration unit <NUM> is in a state of receiving an input of an identification target to be registered (hereinafter referred to as a "registration state") in response to a predetermined registration operation being performed on the input unit <NUM>. The target ball information registration unit <NUM> may receive identification information from the wireless communication tag of the golf ball <NUM> positioned at a communicable distance by operating the first communication unit <NUM> in such a registration state. In the registration state, the target ball information registration unit <NUM> may set strength of radio waves output from the first communication unit <NUM> to a lower strength than that in a search state. With this configuration, identification information can be received only from the wireless communication tag of a golf ball <NUM> that a user intends to register, and it is possible to prevent identification information from being received from the wireless communication tag of a golf ball <NUM> that a user does not intend and being registered by mistake. The target ball information registration unit <NUM> registers the identification information received during the registration state in the search target table. Processing of registering the identification information of the wireless communication tag in the search target table in this manner may be implemented as Bluetooth pairing. In this case, the registration state described above may also be implemented as a Bluetooth pairing connection standby state.

The search unit <NUM> searches for the golf ball <NUM> in response to the operation of a user. For example, when a predetermined start operation is performed on the input unit <NUM>, the search unit <NUM> then shifts to a state of performing a search (hereinafter referred to as a "search state") and starts a search. In the search state, the search unit <NUM> receives identification information from the wireless communication tag of a golf ball <NUM> positioned at a communicable distance by operating the first communication unit <NUM>. When radio waves containing the identification information are received, the search unit <NUM> determines an output mode according to the reception strength of the received radio waves on the basis of the output mode table. The search unit <NUM> operates the output unit <NUM> according to the determined output mode.

When identification information is registered in the search target table, the search unit <NUM> operates the output unit <NUM> only when radio waves containing the identification information registered in the search target table are received. With this configuration, even in a situation in which there are many golf balls around, it is possible to search only for a golf ball <NUM> registered in the search target table in advance, and it is possible to find a desired golf ball <NUM> more easily.

The search unit <NUM> estimates the position of a golf ball <NUM> on the basis of the reception strength of radio waves and positional information acquired by the position acquiring unit <NUM>. For example, a region inside a circle having a radius corresponding to the reception strength may be estimated as a position at which a golf ball <NUM> is positioned, depending on the positional information acquired by the position acquiring unit <NUM>. For example, the search unit <NUM> may estimate a region included in all of the estimated regions at a plurality of positions as a position at which a golf ball <NUM> is positioned. The search unit <NUM> outputs information indicating a result of the estimation via the output unit <NUM>. For example, the search unit <NUM> may receive map information from the information providing apparatus <NUM> that provides the map information, and cause the output unit <NUM> to display a screen on which the position of the estimation result is superimposed on the map information.

<FIG> is a diagram which shows a display example in the output unit <NUM>. In the example of <FIG>, the output unit <NUM> displays a map of a hole (a 12th hole) of a golf course where the user terminal <NUM> is positioned, a frame <NUM> indicating an estimated position (region), and a point <NUM> indicating the position of the user terminal <NUM>. In the example of <FIG>, the frame <NUM> is circular, but it does not necessarily have to be circular. As described above, when a region included in all of the estimated regions at a plurality of positions is estimated as the position of a golf ball <NUM>, a frame <NUM> indicating a shape of the region is displayed.

The information providing apparatus <NUM> is configured using an information processing device such as a server or a personal computer. The information providing apparatus <NUM> is configured to be able to communicate with other information processing devices via the network <NUM>. The information providing apparatus <NUM> provides a service related to a search using the user terminal <NUM>. For example, the information providing apparatus <NUM> may be configured to perform authentication processing or on-line activation to enable the user terminal <NUM> or an application running on the user terminal <NUM>. The information providing apparatus <NUM> may perform, for example, processing for realizing cooperation with another application that provides a map of a golf course. In response to such cooperation, the information providing apparatus <NUM> may provide the user terminal <NUM> with information indicating the map of the golf course.

<FIG> is a flowchart which shows a specific example of a flow of the operation of the user terminal <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> waits without outputting radio waves from the first communication unit <NUM> until a predetermined start operation is performed on the input unit <NUM> by a user (NO in step S101). When a user performs a predetermined start operation on the input unit <NUM> (YES in step S101), the control unit <NUM> causes radio waves to be output from the first communication unit <NUM> (step <NUM>). Upon receiving the radio waves transmitted from the wireless communication tag of the golf ball <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> determines the reception strength of the received radio waves (step S103). The control unit <NUM> determines an output mode according to a result of determining the reception strength (step S104). The control unit <NUM> controls the output unit <NUM> in the determined output mode and performs an output (step S105). Thereafter, the control unit <NUM> repeatedly executes processing of steps S102 to S105 at a predetermined cycle until an end operation is performed (NO in step S106). When the end operation is performed (YES in step S106), the control unit <NUM> ends the processing in the search state.

The control unit <NUM> may be configured to perform the processing of step S105 only when a radio wave containing predetermined identification information is received. The predetermined identification information may be identification information in a predetermined format (for example, identification information in which a predetermined character string is included in first n characters) that is used in advance for the identification information of the wireless communication tag of the golf ball <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> may be configured to perform the processing of step S105 only when a radio wave containing identification information registered in the search target table is received.

In the search system <NUM> configured in this manner, the output unit <NUM> of the user terminal <NUM> operates in response to communication with the wireless communication tag assigned in advance to the golf ball <NUM>. For this reason, a user can easily estimate the position of an invisible golf ball <NUM> on the basis of an output of the output unit <NUM>. As a result, the golf ball <NUM> can be found in a shorter time. As a result, it is possible to reduce an anxiety of a user that the golf ball <NUM> cannot be found or his or her own golf ball <NUM> can be found by asking someone else to find it, and it is possible to improve a mental state of a user who plays a golf play.

In addition, in the search system <NUM> configured in this manner, a general-purpose user terminal <NUM> may be used instead of a dedicated device as a device for searching the golf ball <NUM>. Specifically, the golf ball <NUM> can be searched for using a device such as a smartphone or a wearable computer usually carried by a user. For this reason, a burden on the user can be reduced and the convenience can be improved as compared with a case in which a dedicated device is used.

The search unit <NUM> may be configured to variably control an output cycle of radio waves by the first communication unit <NUM> according to the reception strength. For example, the output cycle of the radio waves by the first communication unit <NUM> may be controlled so that it becomes longer as the reception strength is higher. With this configuration, in a state in which an approximate position of the golf ball <NUM> is not known yet (a state in which the reception strength is zero), it is possible to find out the approximate position at a timing as early as possible by outputting radio waves in a relatively short cycle. On the other hand, when the radio waves from the golf ball <NUM> to be searched for has already been received with a high reception strength, the position is almost in sight, so even if the radio waves are output in a relatively long cycle, a user can sufficiently find the golf ball <NUM>. Moreover, it is possible to suppress power consumption by outputting radio waves in a relatively long cycle.

The search system <NUM> may be configured as a system including a golf ball <NUM> and a user terminal <NUM>.

The user terminal <NUM> may be configured only in one pattern of an output mode without changing the output mode. Even when the user terminal <NUM> configured in this manner is used, it is possible to find the golf ball <NUM> more easily than ever before.

A part or all of the processing performed by the control unit <NUM> of the user terminal <NUM> may be performed by the information providing apparatus <NUM>. In this case, the user terminal <NUM> may be configured such that information such as reception strength is transmitted to the information providing apparatus <NUM>, and the user terminal <NUM> receives a result of processing in the information providing apparatus <NUM>.

<FIG> is a sequence chart showing the case in which a part of the processing performed by the control unit <NUM> of the user terminal <NUM> is performed by the information providing apparatus <NUM>. In the example of <FIG>, the position of the golf ball <NUM> is estimated by the information providing apparatus <NUM> instead of the user terminal <NUM>.

When the reception strength is obtained, the user terminal <NUM> generates data (reception strength information) indicating the reception strength. The user terminal <NUM> acquires the positional information thereof (step S202). The user terminal <NUM> generates request information including reception strength information and positional information. Then, the user terminal <NUM> transmits the request information to the information providing apparatus <NUM> (step S203).

When the information providing apparatus <NUM> receives the request information, it estimates the position of the golf ball <NUM> on the basis of the positional information and the reception strength included in the request information (step S204). At this time, the position of the golf ball <NUM> may be estimated as a region. The information providing apparatus <NUM> generates response information including an image of the hole of a golf course in which the user terminal <NUM> is positioned and a result of estimating the position of the golf ball <NUM>. Then, the information providing apparatus <NUM> transmits the response information to the user terminal <NUM> (step S205).

When the user terminal <NUM> receives the response information, it generates an image showing the position of the golf ball <NUM> on the basis of the image and the estimation result included in the response information (step S206). Then, the user terminal <NUM> displays the generated image on the output unit <NUM> (step S207).

The golf ball <NUM> may include one or more sensors. For example, the golf ball <NUM> may include a weight sensor. When a pressure is measured by the weight sensor, a result of the measurement is transmitted to the user terminal <NUM> by wireless communication. When the user terminal <NUM> receives the result of the measurement via the first communication unit <NUM>, the user terminal <NUM> counts the number of strokes in golf according to a result of the reception. For example, when the result of the measurement by the weight sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold value due to an impact generated at the time of a shot, the search unit <NUM> of the user terminal <NUM> counts the number of strokes assuming that there was one shot, and counts a score. In this case, another device (for example, a golf-related device) linked with the user terminal <NUM> may correct erroneous detection information. Moreover, the search unit <NUM> may record a score of an entire play on the basis of putt information recorded by other devices.

The search unit <NUM> of the user terminal <NUM> may determine information indicating strength of a shot or swing on the basis of the result of the measurement by the weight sensor. The search unit <NUM> may output a result of the determination to the output unit <NUM>. A user can determine whether each swing is good or bad on the basis of this result. Generally, when a flying club such as a driver is used, it is better to have a larger value. The search unit <NUM> may record and display the highest value of the score of the user in a ranking format.

The golf ball <NUM> may include an acceleration sensor. The search unit <NUM> of the user terminal <NUM> may determine a movement of the golf ball <NUM> on the basis of a result of the measurement by the acceleration sensor. For example, the search unit <NUM> may determine the number of revolutions of the golf ball <NUM> on the basis of the result of the measurement by the acceleration sensor.

The golf ball <NUM> may include a memory in a micro controller unit (MCU). The memory may record the result of the measurement by the sensor.

The search unit <NUM> may output various types of information obtained on the basis of the result of the measurement by the sensor using the output unit <NUM>. For example, elements of a flying distance of a golf ball are a "ball initial speed," a "hitting angle," and a "backspin," but the three elements described above may be recorded at the time of swing and differences from ideal values may also be output. For example, according to one theory, it is better to have a faster ball initial speed, it is said that a value of about <NUM> to <NUM> degrees is appropriate for a hitting angle, and it is said that a backspin of <NUM> to <NUM> rotations is appropriate. The differences from such ideal values may be output. Moreover, in order to suppress excessive bending to the left and right, it may be determined whether the number of lateral rotations is <NUM> times or less and a result of the determination may be output to a user.

The user terminal <NUM> may be configured to receive an input of a user and register it whenever a ball is found. With such a configuration, the number of ball strokes can be easily counted after play.

The search unit <NUM> of the user terminal <NUM> may count the number of times Bluetooth pairing has been performed with an identical golf ball <NUM>. The search unit <NUM> may treat a result of this counting as the number of strokes. For example, the search unit <NUM> may also determine a result of the counting until a pairing with one golf ball <NUM> is performed and a pairing with another golf ball <NUM> is performed as the number of strokes until the golf ball <NUM> is lost (lost). The search unit <NUM> may calculate a statistical value such as an average value of the number of strokes until the golf ball is lost.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, a specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and includes designs and the like within a range not departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claim 1:
A user terminal (<NUM>) comprising:
a communication unit (<NUM>) configured to receive radio waves transmitted from a wireless communication tag provided on or in a golf ball (<NUM>);
an output unit (<NUM>) configured to output information to a user; and
a control unit (<NUM>) configured to control the output unit and output information according to radio waves received from the wireless communication tag provided on the golf ball;
characterized in that it also comprises
a position acquiring unit (<NUM>) configured to acquire positional information indicating a current position of the user terminal,
wherein the control unit (<NUM>) is configured to
estimate a plurality of regions at which the golf ball could be positioned, the estimation being performed on a basis of a reception strength of the radio waves received by the communication unit and the positional information acquired by the position acquiring unit at a plurality of positions, and
estimate a region included in all of the estimated plurality of regions as the region at which the golf ball is positioned.