DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, a game system 1 in a golf driving range and a game providing method using the game system 1 are described hereafter referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 5. FIG. 1 shows an overall structure of the game system 1. FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show functional blocks of the game system 1, respectively. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show operational flows of the game system 1, respectively.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 1, the game system 1 of the present embodiment has a ball dispenser (ball dispensing means) 2, a dispenser controller (dispenser control means) 3, a display (display means) 4 and a first ID reader (first ID reading means) 5. The ball dispenser 2 dispenses a golf ball G to each hitting area or bay D. The dispenser controller 3 manages the ball dispenser 2. The display 4 shows an image. The ID reader 5 reads an ID number of the ball G supplied to each bay D. Each means 2, 3, 4 and 5 is disposed on each of the bays D.

[0039] A basket 6a, 6b, 6c, a ball detector (ball detecting means) 7a, 7b, 7c and a second ID reader (second ID reading means) 8a, 8b, 8c are disposed at a target position far from the bay D by a fixed distance. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the basket 6a, 6b, 6c, the ball detector 7a, 7b, 7c and the second ID reader 8a, 8b, 8c are located at three positions of 30 m, 50 m and 70 m from the bay D, for example. The basket 6a, 6b, 6c receives the ball G. The ball detector 7a, 7b, 7c detects the ball G entering into the basket 6a, 6b, 6c. The second ID reader reads out an ID number of each of the balls G entering into the basket 6a, 6b, 6c.

[0040] Each of the means 2 to 8 is described more in detail. The ball dispenser 2 is connected to a not-shown conveyor (conveying means) for carrying the balls G along a line of plurality of the bays D. The conveyor is arranged under a floor of each of the bays D. The ball dispenser 2 is composed of an automatic teeing-up device 2a and a feeding path 2b. The teeing-up device 2a tees the ball G up. The feeding path 2b sends the balls G carried by the conveyor to the teeing-up device 2a. The ball dispenser 2 automatically tees the balls G up one by one, thereby saving a lot of time of a player M. The teeing-up device 2a and the feeding path 2b are conventional, so that their specific description is eliminated.

[0041] The dispenser controller 3 is placed at the back of each of the bays D, for example, so as to manage a start and end of operation of especially the teeing-up device 2. The dispenser controller 3 has an insertion opening 10 for inserting and taking out a storage medium not shown. The storage medium stores a number of balls that the player M is allowed to hit in the bay, i.e. the number of the balls G teed up by the teeing-up device 2. A counter (counting means) 11 is disposed near the teeing-up device 2, as shown in FIG. 3. The counter 11 detects an up-and-down movement of the teeing-up device 2 so as to count a number of hitting operations of the player M.

[0042] The display 4 has a liquid crystal display (LCD) or the like and is controller by a display controller (display controlling means) 9. The display 4 shows the number of balls G counted by the counter 11 and a score table in each game.

[0043] The ball G is described next. An IC chip not shown is embedded in at a center of the ball G. The IC chip has an integrated circuit in a housing that is made of a synthetic resin. As functional elements, the IC chip has a receiver unit, a charger-discharger unit, a memory unit, a response control unit. The receiver unit receives radio waves transmitted from the first ID reader 5 or the second ID reader 8. The charger-discharger unit stores energy by the received radio waves and outputs the stored energy as an electric power for operating the response control unit. Each of the ID numbers is written in the memory unit beforehand so that the ID numbers become different from each other. The response control unit has an information transmitter and a command receiver. When a response command is input in the command receiver, the response control unit sends back the ID number written in the memory unit to the first ID reader 5 or the second ID reader 8a, 8b, 8c via the information transmitter. Specifically, the IC chip has no power source like a conventional battery charger. In contrast, the IC chip collects the radio waves from the first ID reader 5 or the second ID reader 8a, 8b, 8c as response energy. Then, the IC chip sends back data relating to the ID number in reply to the response command.

[0044] The first ID reader 5 recognizes the ID number written in the memory unit of the ID chip. As shown in FIG. 2, the first ID reader 5 is composed of a transmitter unit (transmitting means) 12, a receiver unit (receiving means) 13, a recognizer unit (recognizing means) 14 and so on. The transmitter unit 12 sends radio waves to the ball G when the same ball G is supplied to a fixed position by the ball dispenser 2. The transmitted radio waves are stored as the response energy in the IC chip. The transmitter unit 12 commands the IC chip to send the ID number back after the response energy has been stored in the IC chip. The receiver unit 13 receives data relating to the ID number that was sent from the transmitter unit of the IC chip, thereby to output the data to the recognizer unit 14. The recognizer unit 14 recognizes the ID number on the basis of the received data.

[0045] The output signal of the first ID reader 5 is sent to an ID number storage device (ID number storing means) 15. The storage device 15 stores the ID number of the balls G supplied to each of the players M so as to correspond to the each of the bays D.

[0046] The three baskets 6a, 6b, 6c shown in FIG. 1 are made of containers each of which has an upper end opened. A bottom of the container is connected with an outlet path not shown. The ball detectors 7a, 7b, 7c are composed of proximity switches or the like and attached to peripheral surfaces of the baskets 6a, 6b, 6c, respectively. Specifically, the ball detector 7a, 7b, 7c senses change of an output of the proximity switch so as to recognize whether the ball G has entered into the basket 6a, 6b, 6c. The output of the ball detector 7a, 7b, 7c is sent to the second ID reader 8a, 8b, 8c as shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 only depicts the ball detector 7a and the second ID reader 8a arranged on the basket 6a that is located at the front line or nearest the bay 5. The ball detectors 7b, 7c and the second ID readers 8b, 8c are provided on the baskets 6b, 6c in the same way.

[0047] The second ID reader 8a, 8b, 8c is provided on the outlet path and recognizes the ID number written in the IC chip of the ball G. As shown in FIG. 2, the second ID reader 8a, 8b, 8c has a transmitter unit (transmitting means) 17, a receiver unit (receiving means) 18, a recognizer unit (recognizing means) 19 and so on. The configuration and operation of the second ID reader 8a, 8b, 8c are the same as those of the first ID reader 5, so that their detailed description is omitted. The second ID reader 8a, 8b, 8c constitutes an ID number recognizing device of the present invention.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 2, the game system 1 has a specifying device (specifying means) 20 as a functional configuration using a computer. When it is detected that the ball G comes into the basket 6a, 6b, 6c, the specifying device 20 specifies or identifies the bay D of the player M who hit the same ball G among the plural bays D on the basis of the ID number stored in the ID number storage device 15 and the output from the second ID reader 8a, 8b, 8c. Specifically, the specifying device 20 selects an ID number corresponding to the output of the second ID reader 8a, 8b, 8c from the ID number stored in the ID number storage device 15. Then, the specifying device 20 identifies the bay D corresponding to the selected ID number. That is, if the ID number of the ball G dispensed to one of the bays D coincides with the ID number of the ball G entering into the basket 6a, 6b, 6c thereafter, the specifying device 20 deems that they are the same ball G. Then, the specifying device 20 specifies the bay D corresponding to the ball G as the bay D from which the ball G is shot. The specifying device 20 is independently provided corresponding to each of the baskets 6a, 6b and 6c. Namely, as shown in FIG. 3, a first specifying device 20a, a second specifying device 20b and a third specifying device 20c are arranged so as to correspond to the baskets 6a, 6b and 6c, respectively.

[0049] The present embodiment of the game system 1 has a plurality of individual processor device (individual processing means) 22 and one supervisor device (supervising means) 23, as shown in FIG. 3. In case plural players M enjoy the game, the individual processor devices 22 and the supervisor device 23 make display a score table that shows a number of balls counted by the counter 11 in each of the bays D as well as counted values of all the players M. The individual processor device 22 is provided on each of the bays D. The supervisor device 23 is provided so as to communicate with all the individual processor devices 22.

[0050] The individual processor device 22 includes the ball dispenser 2, the counter 11, the display 4 and the display controller 9. Moreover, the individual processor device 22 has a hit recognizer unit (landing recognizing means) 24 and an output unit (output means) 25 as functional configurations using a computer. When one of the specifying device 20 transmits a signal or has specified the bay D of the player M who could hit the ball G into the basket 6a, 6b, 6c, the hit recognizer unit 24 sends out the signal to the output unit 25. If the signal comes from the hit recognizer unit 24, the output unit 25 transmits information relating to a number of the balls counted by the counter 11 and the kind of the basket 6a, 6b, 6c.

[0051] The supervisor device 23 is made up of a general-purpose computer installed with a supervising program. As functional configurations, the supervisor device 23 has a count data storage unit (count date storage means) 27, a player data register unit (player data registering means) 28 and a score table maker unit (score table making means) 29. When data are sent from one of the output device 25, the count data storage unit 27 receives and stores the data as a table. The player data register unit 28 stores information relating to the player M such as a name and a number of the bay D. The score table maker unit 29 makes up a list or table for a score of the player M on the basis of the information from the count data storage unit 27 and the player data register unit 28. The table data made by the score table maker unit 29 are transmitted to the display controller 9 of the bay D at which the player M is registered. Thus, the display 4 disposed in each of the bays D shows scores of all the players M in the form of tables. The score table maker unit 29 has a comparator unit (comparing means) 30 that compares the counted values C of the players M so as to decide ranking. The comparator unit 30 makes it possible to arrange the score table in an order of scores or determine the ranking of the players M.

[0052] Next described is an operation of the present embodiment of the game system 1, particularly procedures in the individual processor device 22 and procedures in the supervisor unit 23. As shown in FIG. 4, the individual processor device 22 in each of the bays D determines whether or not a bay D is registered as a bay D of a specific player M (STEP S1). Procedures for such register are carried out before the game starts. Registered data are written in the player data register unit 28 of the supervisor device 23. Accordingly, in STEP S1, the above determination is enabled by comparing data relating to the bay D of the specific player M and data stored in the player data register unit 28.

[0053] If the bay D is a registered one or it is YES in STEP S, “0” is input as a counted value C (STEP S2) and “1” is input into a variable n for setting an order of the baskets 6a, 6b, 6c as targets (STEP S3). Then, if the ball G is supplied to the player M by the teeing-up device 2a of the ball dispenser 2 or it is YES in STEP S4, “1” is added to the counted value C for increment of the counted value C (STEP 5). Procedures of STEP S3 to STEP S5 are repeated while STEP S6 is NO, that is, until it is determined that the ball G enters into 20 the first basket (nearest basket 6a for example) or the first specifying device 20a specifies it. Thus, the counted value C is increased one by one each time the ball G is dispensed. At this time, the counted value C is shown on the display 4.

[0054] If it is determined by the first specifying device 20a that the ball G enters into the nearest basket 6a or it is YES in STEP S6, the counted value C is transmitted to the supervisor device 23 from the output device 25 (STEP S7). Then, it is decided whether or not the value of the variable n is “3” or the ball G enters into all three baskets: the front basket 6a, the middle basket 6b and the rear basket 6c. If the rear basket 6c has no ball G entered or it is NO in STEP S8, “1” is added to the variable n and the execution returns to STEP S4. That is, it is decided in STEP S6 thereafter whether or not the ball G enters into the second target basket 6b. Thus, each time the ball G enters into the basket 6a, 6b, 6c, the target basket 6a, 6b, 6c is changed. The counted value C is added until the balls G enter into all the baskets 6a, 6b and 6c.

[0055] If the balls G are shot up to the last basket 6c or it is YES in STEP S8, an end signal is sent to the supervisor device 23 and the execution is finished.

[0056] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, data relating to the player M is recorded in the player data register unit 28 or it is YES in STEP T1, the supervisor device 23 decide whether or not the counted value C is transmitted from anyone of the individual processor devices 22 or the counted value C is received. If the supervisor device 23 receives the counted value C or it is YES in STEP T2, the supervisor device 23 makes the count data storage unit 27 store the counted value C corresponding to the bay D (STEP T3). Then, the supervisor device 23 prepares the score table by the score table maker unit 29 and sends out data relating to the score table to all the individual processor devices 22 (STEP T4 and STEP T5). Specifically, a table of a score of the player M is made up on the basis of the information from the count data storage unit 27 and the player data register unit 28. Thereby, the display 4 of each of the individual processor device 22 shows the score table. The score table indicates a name of the player M, a number of balls counted until the ball G enters into each of the baskets 6a, 6b, 6c and the like.

[0057] Procedures from STEP T2 to STEP T5 are repeated until the supervisor device 23 receives end signals from all the individual processor devices 22 or it is NO in STEP T6. Then, the score table is renewed each time the counted value C is received. On the other hand, if the end signals are received from all the individual processor devices 22 or it is YES in STEP T6, the supervisor device 23 rearrange the score table by the comparator unit 30 and outputs the score table. That is, the data of the score table is rearranged in an order of better scores or in an order of less total scores. Moreover, a ranking is shown at the same time.

[0058] As described above, it is possible to provide a game for plural players M if the game system I is installed in the golf driving range. With the game system 1, each of the players M is allowed to play a game or competition only by hitting the ball at his or her bay D. Therefore, a group of people can readily enjoy the game.

[0059] Moreover, since shots are repeated aiming at the plural targets 6a, 6b and 6c in order, the player M needs skill. Consequently, even a skilled person will amuse him or herself sufficiently.

[0060] Furthermore, since there are baskets 6a, 6b and 6c at the target 20 positions, the player M can strain every nerve to hit the target. In addition, he or she can see easily if the ball G reaches or hits the target position or not. The player M is given a sense of distance by the baskets 6a, 6b and 6c, so that the player M can control swing in hitting operation when the target position is changed.

[0061] The bay D is specified by the ID number read out from the IC chip embedded in the ball G. Therefore, even if plural players M hit the balls G at the same timing, the game system 1 can surely specify the bay D of the player M who could enter the ball G into the basket 6a, 6b, 6c among the plural bays D. Consequently, the game system 1 can exactly recognize a number of balls when the ball G hits the basket 6a, 6b, 6c and correctly estimate skill of the player M or outcome of the game.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the game system 1 has three baskets 6a, 6b and 6c disposed in a longitudinal direction of the driving course. However, the number of the baskets is not limited thereto. The number may be one, two or more than three. As the number of the targets increases, the player M needs more skill. To the contrary, as the number decreases, the game is simplified and will be played more easily. Therefore, if the number is set while taking the balance of such two conditions into account, the game system 1 is able to amuse a wide range of people from a beginner to a skilled player.

[0063] While, in the above embodiment, the basket 6a, 6b, 6c is placed at the target position so that the ball G is shot into the basket 6a, 6b, 6c, another mark may be placed at the target position so that the ball G hits the mark. In place of the basket 6a, 6b, 6c, a hole may be bored on the ground so that the ball G enters into the target hole.

[0064] While, in the above embodiment, the game system 1 shows both the counted value C and the score result (rearranged one and ranking), the game system 1 may show at least one of them. However, if both of them are displayed, the player can easily recognize how his or her game is running and how the final result is. Consequently, the player is amused more and can play the game smoothly.

[0065] The preferred embodiments described herein are illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated in the appended claims and all variations which come within the meaning of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.