WO2012091511A2

WO2012091511A2 - Virtual golf simulation apparatus and method allowing user-definition of golf ball

Info

Publication number: WO2012091511A2
Application number: PCT/KR2011/010369
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jae Yoon Ok
Original assignee: Golfzon Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2010-12-31
Filing date: 2011-12-30
Publication date: 2012-07-05
Also published as: JP2014501154A; CA2823533C; CN103379942A; CN103379942B; JP5799440B2; KR101059259B1; WO2012091511A3; CA2823533A1

Abstract

Disclosed herein are a virtual golf simulation apparatus, system, and method that allow a user to directly define a virtual golf ball to be hit by the user in a simulation image provided by the virtual golf simulation apparatus, including a so-called screen golf system, thereby inducing much more user interest with the result that the user can play a round of virtual golf using his/her own virtual golf ball. The virtual golf simulation apparatus, configured to perform golf simulation on a virtual golf course, includes a simulation means to perform golf simulation with respect to the virtual golf course and a user on the virtual golf course and a golf ball setting means for allowing the user to define and set a virtual golf ball to be hit by the user during the golf simulation.

Description

VIRTUAL GOLF SIMULATION APPARATUS AND METHOD ALLOWING USER-DEFINITION OF GOLF BALL

The present invention relates to a virtual golf simulation apparatus and method, and, more particularly, to a virtual golf simulation apparatus and method wherein a virtual golf ball defined by a user is simulated by a user hitting a ball.

With the recent upsurge of the golfing population, a so-called screen golf system has gained popularity, which allows a golfer to practice golf and to enjoy a virtual golf game using a virtual golf simulation apparatus.

The screen golf system senses the velocity and direction of a golf ball that a golfer hits onto a screen installed indoors for displaying a virtual golf range, and displays the progress of the golf ball on the screen.

The screen golf system realized by the virtual golf simulation apparatus characteristically offers the same sense of reality that a golfer would feel in a real golf course, when the golfer hits a golf ball in the same manner as in a golf practice range.

It is necessary for the virtual golf simulation apparatus to provide various contents based on various kinds of advanced apparatuses and systems, which cannot be provided by a real golf course or a golf practice range, thereby inducing interest of golfers, in addition to provision of the same sense of reality that a golfer would feel playing a round of golf on a real golf course.

Also, screen golf based on virtual golf simulation, which is different from a round of golf on a real golf course, occupies an independent culture or an e-sport field. Therefore, it is necessary to provide various contents such that people wishing to enjoy such an independent culture can sufficiently enjoy their culture.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a virtual golf simulation apparatus and method that allow a user to directly define a virtual golf ball to be hit by the user in a simulation image provided by the virtual golf simulation apparatus, including a so-called screen golf system, thereby inducing much more user interest with the result that the user can play a round of virtual golf using his/her own virtual golf ball.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a virtual golf simulation apparatus to perform a golf simulation on a virtual golf course, including a simulation means to perform golf simulation with respect to the virtual golf course and a user on the virtual golf course and a golf ball setting means for allowing the user to define and set a virtual golf ball to be hit by the user during the golf simulation.

The virtual golf simulation apparatus may further includes a database to store information regarding a plurality of golf balls, at least one selected from among the kind, structure, shape, form, color, and size of which is different from each other, wherein the golf ball setting means may be configured to set a ball selected by the user from among balls stored in the database as a virtual golf ball to be used by the corresponding user.

The golf ball setting means may include a tool means to display a tool related to at least one selected from among text and a picture to be formed on the ball, and the golf ball setting means may be configured to set a ball designed by the user using the tool means as a virtual golf ball to be used by the corresponding user.

Also, the golf ball setting means may include an object display means to display information regarding an object comprising at least one selected from among a sound, voice, and image to be inserted into the ball, and the golf ball setting means may be configured to set a ball, into which a specific object selected by the user using the object display means has been inserted, as a virtual golf ball to be used by the corresponding user.

Also, the golf ball setting means may include an object definition means for allowing the user to define information regarding an object comprising at least one selected from among a sound, voice, and image to be inserted into the ball, and the golf ball setting means may be configured to set a ball, into which a specific object defined by the user using the object definition means has been inserted, as a virtual golf ball to be used by the corresponding user.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a virtual golf simulation method to perform golf simulation on a virtual golf course, including performing user login, user-defining a virtual golf ball to be used by a corresponding user during the golf simulation, setting the defined virtual golf ball as a golf ball to be used during the golf simulation with respect to the corresponding user, and performing the golf simulation with respect to the corresponding user using the set virtual golf ball.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a virtual golf simulation method using a virtual golf simulation apparatus connected to a server via a network, including a golf ball setting step including accessing the server through user login via a predetermined terminal device, user-defining a virtual golf ball to be used by a corresponding user, and setting the defined virtual golf ball as a golf ball to be used during golf simulation with respect to the corresponding user, and a virtual golf simulation step including accessing the virtual golf simulation apparatus through login of the corresponding user, receiving information regarding the virtual golf ball set at the golf ball setting step through the server, and performing the golf simulation with respect to the corresponding user using the set virtual golf ball.

The virtual golf simulation step may include applying physical properties of the virtual golf ball defined and set by the corresponding user during the golf simulation with respect to the corresponding user in a simulation result.

In the virtual golf simulation apparatus and method according to the present invention, it is possible for a user to directly define a virtual golf ball to be hit by the user in a simulation image provided by the virtual golf simulation apparatus, including a so-called screen golf system, thereby inducing much more user interest with the result that the user can play a round of virtual golf using his/her own virtual golf ball.

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view showing a screen golf system to which a virtual golf simulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the construction of the virtual golf simulation apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the construction of a virtual golf simulation system including the virtual golf simulation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIGs. 4 and 5 are views showing an example of an interface screen for setting a golf ball in the virtual golf simulation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention or in the system including the virtual golf simulation apparatus;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing a text tool box in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a simulation image provided by the virtual golf simulation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGs. 8 and 9 are divided from a flow chart showing a virtual golf simulation method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Now, exemplary embodiments of a virtual golf simulation apparatus and method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A virtual golf simulation apparatus according to the present invention and a virtual golf simulation system including the same include all components for allowing a user to define and use a virtual golf ball to be used in golf simulation.

In a virtual golf simulation apparatus as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it is possible for a user to directly define a golf ball. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, user terminals (for example, a personal computer, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smart phone, etc.) may be connected to a server via so that it is possible to define a virtual golf ball in the server. In this case, data regarding a user-defined golf ball may be transmitted and executed via a network when a golf game is played through the virtual golf simulation apparatus.

First, a virtual golf simulation apparatus and a system including the same will be described in brief with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a virtual golf simulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a sensing device 50, a manipulation means 60, a simulator GS, and an image output unit 40.

The image output unit 40 may be provided in the form of a beam projector which outputs an image to a screen 100 as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, an apparatus to directly display an image through a large-sized screen may be used as the image output unit 40.

The simulator GS, provided at one side of a golf booth, is a device to store and process all data necessary for virtual golf simulation. The simulator GS may include an image processing unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a controller M.

The virtual golf simulation apparatus is an apparatus that senses a golf ball 1, placed on a golf mat 20, hit by a user P on a hitting box 10, provided at the floor of the golf booth, using the sensing device 50 and outputs a simulation image obtained from the sensed results to the screen using the image output device 40.

At this time, an image of a virtual golf course 110 is output to the screen 100. A virtual golf ball 101 moves according to the trajectory of the simulated golf ball in a virtual golf course 110 on the screen 100 based on results obtained by sensing the golf ball 1 hit by the user using the sensing device 50.

The storage unit 32 is provided to store various kinds of information and data regarding the virtual golf simulation apparatus and image data necessary to realize images of a golf course.

The image processing unit 31 is provided to process all images related to virtual golf simulation, such as images of a virtual golf course, images showing movement of a golf ball, and images for menu selection, stored in the storage unit 32. Image data processed by the image processing unit 31 are transmitted to the image output unit 40, which outputs an image like the screen 100 shown in FIG. 1.

The controller M is provided to perform various kinds of calculation for virtual golf simulation and control of components.

The simulator GS is provided with a data transmission unit, which communicates with the server S via a network, such as the Internet (both wireless Internet and wired Internet are included).

Although not clearly shown in FIG. 1, the sensing device 50 (see FIG. 2) may be constituted by infrared light transmitting and receiving sensors installed at the hitting box 10 side or by a camera sensor installed at the ceiling or the wall. Other kinds of sensing means may also be used.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a virtual golf simulation system including the virtual golf simulation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the virtual golf simulation system is configured so that a plurality of golf simulators GS is connected to the server S via a network, such as the Internet.

Various user terminals may be connected to the network so that users can access the server S through respective user terminals to receive desired information.

As shown in FIG. 3, on the other hand, the server S may include components for allowing users to define a virtual golf ball. The users may access the server S through their user terminals and execute various means for allowing the users to define virtual golf balls to be used in golf simulation.

As shown in FIG. 3, the server S includes a central processing unit 200, a database 300, and a golf ball setting means 400.

The database 300 stores data related to various kinds of information provided through connection of the user terminals and data related to various kinds of information provided through connection of the respective simulators GS. Also, the database 300 stores various data related to user definition of a virtual golf ball.

That is, the database 300 may include a system information storage unit 310 to store various data related to driving of the system, a user information storage unit 320 to store information regarding users registered in the system, and a data storage unit 330 to store all data regarding setting of a virtual golf ball.

Here, the

respective storage units

310, 320 and 330 may be provided as individual storage devices or as partial physical spaces in a single storage device.

Meanwhile, the golf ball setting means 400 includes a means to define the kind, structure, shape, form, color, and size of a virtual golf ball from various data necessary to set a virtual golf ball stored in the data storage unit 330 of the database 300, to form specific text or a specific picture on the virtual golf ball, or to insert an object, such as a specific sound, voice and image, into the virtual golf ball.

That is, the golf ball setting means 400 includes an interface 410 to display information regarding a plurality of golf balls, at least one selected from among the kind, structure, shape, form, color, and size of which is different from each other, stored in the database 300 and to allow a user to select one of the golf balls.

Also, the golf ball setting means 400 may include a tool means 420 to display a tool corresponding to at least one selected from among text and a picture to be formed on a golf ball. In addition, the golf ball setting means 400 may include an object display means 430 to display information regarding an object including at least one selected from among a sound, voice, and image to be inserted into a golf ball. Furthermore, the golf ball setting means 400 may include an object definition means 440 for allowing a user to define information regarding to an object including at least one selected from among a sound, voice, and image to be inserted into a golf ball.

The golf ball setting means 400 may include one or more selected from among the interface 410, the tool means 420, the object display means 430, and the object definition means 440. Of course, the golf ball setting means 400 may include the interface 410, the tool means 420, the object display means 430, and the object definition means 440 in whole.

Meanwhile, when a user sets a virtual golf ball using the golf ball setting means 400 and performs golf simulation using the set virtual golf ball through the virtual golf simulation apparatus, the simulator GS (see FIG. 2) may apply physical properties of the set virtual golf ball to perform simulation.

For example, a ball flight distance may be further increased, spin may be further increased, and accuracy may be further improved as the result of golf simulation depending upon what kind of golf ball is selected.

Real golf balls may be configured to have various structures, such as a one piece structure, a two piece structure, a three piece structure, and a four piece structure. Also, physical properties of the golf balls may differ based on the structures of the golf balls. When a two piece golf ball is selected as a virtual golf ball through the golf ball setting means and when a four piece golf ball is selected as a virtual golf ball through the golf ball setting means, different simulation results may occur although the same user hits the golf ball through the same swing. This is because the simulator applies different physical properties to the two piece golf ball and the four piece golf ball during simulation.

Also, the number and shape of dimples formed on a golf ball, the size of the golf ball, and the shape of the golf ball may affect physical properties of the golf ball. Different physical properties are applied depending upon how the user sets the dimples with respect to the virtual golf ball with the result that different simulation results may be obtained.

That is, the simulator constructs a database related to physical properties of golf balls of various kinds, structures, and shapes and applies the constructed database in a simulation result so that the virtual golf simulation can more closely approximate real golf, thereby further improving reality and accuracy of the virtual golf simulation.

Hereinafter, an example of user definition of a virtual golf ball through the golf ball setting means in the virtual golf simulation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention or in the system including the virtual golf simulation apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

As shown in FIG. 4, an interface screen 70 for golf ball setting includes a golf ball display unit 71 to display various golf balls stored in the database and a setting menu display unit 72 to display a golf ball setting menu. The interface screen 70 is preferably configured to provide a preview screen so that a user can preview a virtual golf ball selected or defined by the user.

The setting menu display unit 72 displays various setting items to define a virtual golf ball. In an example shown in FIG. 4, an item regarding ‘definition of a ball’, an item regarding ‘definition of ball design’, and an item regarding ‘insertion of an object’ are displayed.

The item regarding definition of the ball may include sub-items regarding the structure, kind, shape, form, color, and size of a ball. Here, various kinds of golf balls, such as a one piece ball, a two piece ball, a three piece ball, and a four piece ball, are included based on the structure thereof. These golf balls are displayed through the golf ball display unit 71.

The kind of the ball may include the brand-based kind of a golf ball. Various balls, such as a baseball, a football, a basket ball, and a billiard ball, may be included based on the kind thereof.

The shape of the ball may include various shapes, such as a spherical shape, a rugby ball shape, and an egg shape. The form of the ball may include various forms related to dimples formed at a golf ball. The color of the ball is defined by a user so that a golf ball is painted with the defined color.

In the item regarding definition of the ball design, on the other hand, a tool means to express text or a picture to be formed on a virtual golf ball is executed. That is, when a text tool is selected in the item regarding definition of ball design as shown in FIG. 5, a text tool box 73 is displayed(more detailed view of the text tool box shown in FIG. 6). A text input window 74 is displayed at one side of the interface screen 70 so that a user can input desired text.

The input text is displayed on the virtual golf ball. As shown in FIGs. 5 and 6, it can be seen that the text input in the text input window 74 is displayed on the surface of the golf ball in a preview window.

Although not shown in the drawing, a picture tool box is displayed, when a picture tool is selected, so that a user can draw a desired picture on the virtual golf ball.

In the item regarding insertion of the object, on the other hand, the object display means 430 (see FIG. 3) or the object definition means 440 (see FIG. 3) for allowing a user to select or define an object to be inserted into a virtual golf ball is executed.

That is, the object display means displays various virtual golf balls, in which predetermined objects stored in the database are inserted and allows a user to select one of the virtual golf balls, and the object definition means allows a user to directly define an object to be inserted into a virtual golf ball. That is, the object definition means allows the user to directly create an object or import an external object.

In a case in which an object is inserted into a virtual golf ball, for example in a case in which a sound object, such as a fart sound or a thunder sound, is inserted into a virtual golf ball, the virtual golf ball may be simulated while making the fart sound or the thunder sound when a user hits a golf ball in the virtual golf simulation apparatus.

Also, in a case in which an image object regarding propulsion of a rocket is inserted into a virtual golf ball, the virtual golf ball may be simulated while displaying an image as if the golf ball were driven by rocket propulsion when a user hits a golf ball in the virtual golf simulation apparatus.

Meanwhile, FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of an image screen in which virtual golf simulation is performed using the virtual golf ball set through the interface screen shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 shows a screen in which a virtual golf ball 101 is putt on a green G of a virtual golf course.

In a main screen, the virtual golf ball 101 moves toward a hole cup H in the green G. At this time, the simulator displays a screen showing that a virtual golf ball 510 moves toward the hole cup H as an enlarged image 500 at one side of the main screen through an enlarged image display means so that a user can view the virtual golf ball 510 defined by the user in more detail through the enlarged image 500.

Hereinafter, a virtual golf simulation method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGs. 8 and 9. FIGs. 8 and 9 are divided from a flow chart. "A", "B", "C" and "D" drawn in FIG. 8 are correspondent to the same alphabet in FIG. 9.

As shown in FIGs. 8 and 9, a user accesses the system through user login (S10), and the golf ball setting means is executed (S20). If the golf ball setting means is not executed, another process may be performed (S21).

The golf ball setting means may include at least one selected from among an interface for definition of a ball, a tool means for definition of ball design, and an object display means and an object definition means for insertion of an object. In FIGs. 8 and 9, all of these means are included.

First, when a ball definition step is carried out (S30), the interface for definition of a ball may be executed, and the structure, kind, shape, form, color, and size of the ball may be defined in the interface screen (see FIG. 4). A plurality of balls, with respect to the above-mentioned features have been preset, may be displayed so that a user can select one of the balls, or the user may directly define the above-mentioned features to set a golf ball (S31).

When a ball design definition step is carried out (S40), the tool means for definition of the ball design may be executed, and text and a picture to be formed on the ball may be defined in the interface screen (see FIGs. 5 and 6). A plurality of balls, with respect to specific text or a specific picture to be formed on the balls have been preset, may be displayed so that a user can select one of the balls, or the user may directly define the text or the picture using the tool means to set a golf ball (S41).

When an object insertion step is carried out (S50), the object display means for insertion of the object may be executed, or the object definition means for insertion of the object may be executed. When the object display means is executed, objects preset as objects to be inserted into the ball may be displayed so that a user can select one of the objects to define a golf ball, and, when the object definition means is executed, the user may directly define an object to be inserted into a ball to define a golf ball (S51).

When setting of the golf ball is completed through the above-mentioned processes (S60), a virtual golf ball is set, and the set data are stored in the database (S70).

Consequently, the user may enjoy a round of golf on a virtual golf course through the virtual golf simulation apparatus using the set virtual golf ball (S80).

Various embodiments of a virtual golf simulation apparatus and method have been described in the best mode for carrying out the invention.

In the virtual golf simulation apparatus and method the according to the present invention as described above, it is possible for a user to directly define a virtual golf ball to be hit by the user in a simulation image provided by the virtual golf simulation apparatus, including a so-called screen golf system, thereby inducing much more user interest with the result that the user can play a round of virtual golf using his/her own virtual golf ball. Consequently, the present invention can be widely used in industries related to the virtual golf simulation apparatus and method.

Claims

A virtual golf simulation apparatus comprising:

a simulation means to perform golf simulation with respect to a virtual golf course and a user on the virtual golf course; and

a golf ball setting means for allowing the user to define and set a virtual golf ball to be hit by the user during the golf simulation.
The virtual golf simulation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a database to store information regarding a plurality of golf balls, at least one selected from among the kind, structure, shape, form, color, and size of which is different from each other, wherein

the golf ball setting means is configured to set a ball selected by the user from among balls stored in the database as a virtual golf ball to be used by the corresponding user.
The virtual golf simulation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the golf ball setting means comprises a tool means to display a tool related to at least one selected from among text and a picture to be formed on the ball, and

the golf ball setting means is configured to set a ball designed by the user using the tool means as a virtual golf ball to be used by the corresponding user.
The virtual golf simulation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the golf ball setting means comprises an object display means to display information regarding an object comprising at least one selected from among a sound, voice, and image to be inserted into the ball, and

the golf ball setting means is configured to set a ball, into which a specific object selected by the user using the object display means has been inserted, as a virtual golf ball to be used by the corresponding user.
The virtual golf simulation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the golf ball setting means comprises an object definition means for allowing the user to define information regarding an object comprising at least one selected from among a sound, voice, and image to be inserted into the ball, and

the golf ball setting means is configured to set a ball, into which a specific object defined by the user using the object definition means has been inserted, as a virtual golf ball to be used by the corresponding user.
The virtual golf simulation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the simulation means comprises an enlarged image display means to display an enlarged image of the virtual golf ball defined and set by the corresponding user during the golf simulation with respect to the corresponding user.
The virtual golf simulation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the simulation means is configured to apply physical properties of the virtual golf ball defined and set by the corresponding user during the golf simulation with respect to the corresponding user in a simulation result.
A virtual golf simulation method comprising:

performing user login;

user-defining a virtual golf ball to be used by a corresponding user during the golf simulation on a virtual golf course;

setting the defined virtual golf ball as a golf ball to be used during the golf simulation with respect to the corresponding user; and

performing the golf simulation with respect to the corresponding user using the set virtual golf ball.
A virtual golf simulation method using a virtual golf simulation apparatus connected to a server via a network, comprising:

a golf ball setting step comprising accessing the server through user login via a predetermined terminal device, user-defining a virtual golf ball to be used by a corresponding user, and setting the defined virtual golf ball as a golf ball to be used during golf simulation with respect to the corresponding user; and

a virtual golf simulation step comprising accessing the virtual golf simulation apparatus through login of the corresponding user, receiving information regarding the virtual golf ball set at the golf ball setting step through the server, and performing the golf simulation with respect to the corresponding user using the set virtual golf ball.
The virtual golf simulation method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the step of user-defining the virtual golf ball comprises user selecting at least one from among a plurality of virtual golf balls, at least one selected from among the kind, structure, shape, form, color, and size of which is different from each other, stored in a database.
The virtual golf simulation method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the step of user-defining the virtual golf ball comprises displaying at least one selected from among specific text and a specific picture on the virtual golf ball.
The virtual golf simulation method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the step of user-defining the virtual golf ball comprises user inserting an object comprising at least one selected from among a specific sound, voice, and image into the virtual golf ball.
The virtual golf simulation method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the virtual golf simulation step comprises displaying an enlarged image of the virtual golf ball defined and set by the corresponding user during the golf simulation with respect to the corresponding user.
The virtual golf simulation method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the virtual golf simulation step comprises applying physical properties of the virtual golf ball defined and set by the corresponding user during the golf simulation with respect to the corresponding user in a simulation result.