Virtual golf apparatus and virtual golf system equipped with wind provision means

Abstract

To provide a virtual golf apparatus and a virtual golf system equipped with wind provision means.SOLUTION: The virtual golf apparatus comprises: a display unit that shows a virtual golf course; a calculation unit which, when a user hits an actual golf ball, calculates movement of a virtual golf ball corresponding to the actual golf ball on the virtual golf course; and wind provision means that generates and delivers wind during the user's play. The wind provision means can operate under different operating conditions depending on where on the virtual golf course the virtual golf ball is located before the user hits the actual golf ball.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a virtual golf device and a virtual golf system, and more particularly to a virtual golf device and a virtual golf system capable of generating and providing wind during a user's play in a virtual golf game such as a screen golf game. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, the number of people enjoying golf has been increasing. Golf is not only played on outdoor golf courses, but also screen golf, which allows players to play golf using virtual golf devices, is becoming increasingly popular. In screen golf, images of a golf course are displayed on a screen, giving the player the feeling of playing a real game outdoors. In addition, screen golf saves time and money compared to playing on an outdoor field, making it popular among modern people who find it difficult to play on an outdoor field due to time or financial reasons.

[0003] In screen golf and the like, in order to provide the user with the reality of playing on an outdoor field, the user sets the play environment, such as the wind direction and wind strength, and the set contents are displayed on the screen so that the user can recognize them. However, in conventional technology, the play environment set by the user is simply displayed on the screen, and the user cannot experience it with his or her body, so there is a limit to providing the user with the reality of actual golf. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a virtual golf device equipped with a wind providing means so that a user can physically experience the windy environment of an outdoor actual field while playing virtual golf. Another object of the present invention is to provide a virtual golf system having a wind providing means so that a user can physically experience the windy environment of an outdoor actual field during virtual golf play. Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, a virtual golf device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a display unit that displays a virtual golf course, a calculation unit that calculates a movement of a virtual golf ball corresponding to the actual golf ball on the virtual golf course when a user hits the actual golf ball, and a wind providing means that generates and provides wind while the user is playing, and the wind providing means can operate under different operating conditions depending on where the virtual golf ball is located on the virtual golf course before the user hits the actual golf ball. The virtual golf device further includes a hitting mat on which a user places and hits the actual golf ball, the virtual golf course including a plurality of different areas, the plurality of different areas including virtual fairways corresponding to the fairways of the actual golf course and virtual non-fairways corresponding to non-fairways other than the fairways on the actual golf course, and the hitting mat consisting of a single area corresponding to the virtual fairway.

[0006] The virtual golf device further includes a hitting mat on which a user places the actual golf ball and hits it, the virtual golf course including a plurality of different areas, the plurality of different areas including virtual fairways corresponding to fairways on the actual golf course and virtual non-fairways corresponding to non-fairways other than the fairways on the actual golf course, and the wind providing means operates in a first operating condition when the virtual golf ball is located on the virtual fairway before the user hits the actual golf ball, and operates in a second operating condition when the virtual golf ball is located on the virtual non-fairway.

[0007] In the above-mentioned virtual golf device, when the user sets the direction in which he hits the actual golf ball as the hitting direction, in the first and second operating conditions, the wind direction is opposite to the hitting direction, and the wind speed in the first operating condition is set to be smaller than the wind speed in the second operating condition.

[0008] In the above-mentioned virtual golf device, when the user sets the direction in which the actual golf ball is hit as the hitting direction, no wind is generated under the first operating condition, and the wind direction is set to the opposite direction to the hitting direction under the second operating condition. In the virtual golf device, the virtual non-fairway includes a plurality of different regions, and the second operating condition depends on in which of the plurality of different regions of the virtual non-fairway the virtual golf ball is located.

[0009] A virtual golf system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a service device and at least one virtual golf device communicatively connected to the service device, the virtual golf device including a display unit that displays a virtual golf course, a calculation unit that calculates a movement of a virtual golf ball corresponding to the actual golf ball on the virtual golf course when a user hits an actual golf ball, and a wind providing means that generates and provides wind during a user's play, the wind providing means being capable of operating under different operating conditions depending on where the virtual golf ball is located on the virtual golf course before the user hits the actual golf ball. Effect of the Invention

[0010] The virtual golf device and virtual golf system of the present invention have the effect of allowing a user to physically experience the environment of an outdoor actual field with wind blowing while playing virtual golf. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a virtual golf device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wind providing means that can be used in the virtual golf device of FIG. 1; [Diagram 3] 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for adjusting the operating conditions of the wind providing means according to the position of the virtual golf ball before hitting. FIG. [Figure 4] 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for adjusting the operating conditions of the wind providing means according to the position of the virtual golf ball before hitting. FIG. [Diagram 5] 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for adjusting the operating conditions of the wind providing means according to the position of the virtual golf ball before hitting. FIG. [Figure 6] 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for adjusting the operating conditions of the wind providing means according to the position of the virtual golf ball before hitting. FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for adjusting the operating conditions of the wind providing means according to the position of the virtual golf ball before hitting. FIG. [Figure 8] 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for adjusting the operating conditions of the wind providing means according to the position of the virtual golf ball before hitting. FIG. [Figure 9] 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for adjusting the operating conditions of the wind providing means according to the position of the virtual golf ball before hitting. FIG. [Figure 10] 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for adjusting the operating conditions of the wind providing means according to the position of the virtual golf ball before hitting. FIG. [Figure 11] 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for adjusting the operating conditions of the wind providing means according to the position of the virtual golf ball before hitting. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a virtual golf device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a virtual golf stem according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the following examples. The objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be readily understood from the following examples. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein, and may be embodied in other forms. The embodiments described herein are provided so that the disclosed content will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the present invention to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited by the following examples.

[0013] In this specification, the terms "first", "second" and the like are used to describe various elements, but the elements should not be limited by such terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish the elements from each other. Also, when a layer (film) is said to be on another layer (film) or substrate, it means that it can be formed directly on the other layer (film) or substrate, or a third layer (film) can be interposed between them.

[0014] In the drawings, the size of elements or the relative size between elements may be somewhat exaggerated for a clearer understanding of the present invention. In addition, the shapes of the illustrated elements may be somewhat changed due to variations in the manufacturing process, etc. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments disclosed in this specification should not be limited to the shapes illustrated, and should be understood to include some modifications.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a virtual golf device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a virtual golf device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a hitting plate (10), a control unit (20), a sensing unit (30), an input unit (40), a sound unit (50), a display unit (60), and a wind providing means.

[0016] The striking plate 10 is an area where a user stands to hit a golf ball. The striking plate 10 may be a separately provided plate-like object, or may be a floor where the virtual golf device is installed and where the user stands, rather than a separate object. Although not shown in the drawings, the striking plate 10 is provided with a striking mat on which a golf ball to be hit is placed. The striking mat is also provided with a golf ball providing means for providing a golf ball to be hit to the user. The golf ball providing means includes an auto tee that is structured to be movable up and down, and when a golf ball is placed on the auto tee, the auto tee moves upward past the striking mat to provide a golf ball to be hit to the user.

[0017] The control unit 20 controls the overall operation among the components of the virtual golf device. For example, the control unit 20 can control the golf ball providing means to provide a golf ball for hitting according to the time when the user hits the golf ball. Specifically, immediately after the user hits a golf ball placed on the hitting mat, the control unit 20 can detect the hitting and cause the golf ball providing means to provide the next golf ball for hitting. Also, when the user selects a specific golf course, the control unit 20 performs a related operation so that the user can play on the selected golf course. For example, the control unit 20 includes an image processing means for processing an image, forms an image of the specific golf course selected by the user, and transmits the image to the display unit 60 to display the image. The control unit 20 includes a calculation unit 21 and a storage unit 22 (the calculation unit 21 and the storage unit 22 can be configured to be provided independently of the control unit 20). The calculation unit 21 performs a calculation process to calculate a trajectory of a golf ball when the golf ball moves on an actual golf course in a physical state based on the physical state of the golf ball hit by the user. The storage unit 22 includes a storage device such as a memory or a hard disk, and stores various programs and / or data required for the operation of the control unit 20 and / or the calculation unit 21.

[0018] The sensing unit 30 senses the movement of the golf club and / or the movement of the golf ball hit by the user when hitting the golf ball, and obtains information necessary for the calculation process. The sensing unit 30 may use sensing means such as a camera or a sensor that can capture the movement of the golf club or the golf ball. The sensing means may use various sensing methods such as image sensing, light emission / reception sensing, and laser sensing, and such sensing methods may be used to obtain status information of the golf club or the golf ball hit by the user. The camera or the sensor may be used alone or together, and may be used alone or in combination. The information sensed by the sensing unit 30 is transmitted to the control unit 20, and the calculation unit 21 of the control unit 20 performs the calculation process based on the information from the sensing unit 30.

[0019] The input unit 40 is for receiving various information from the user, and may use a keyboard, mouse, touch screen, etc. When login is required to use the virtual golf device, the user may use the input unit 40 to input his / her ID and password for login, or to select the golf course he / she wants to play or the difficulty level of play, etc.

[0020] The sound unit 50 includes audio devices such as speakers, through which the user is informed of the progress of the game and various sound effects are reproduced according to the progress of the game.

[0021] The display unit 60 includes devices for display operations such as a projector and a screen. The projector projects golf-related images onto the screen so that the golf course and golf balls are displayed on the screen, and the screen displays the projected golf-related images and provides them to the user. Although not shown in the drawings, the display unit 60 may further include a display device such as a kiosk that serves as an auxiliary display in addition to the screen.

[0022] In this specification, some objects displayed on the screen may be referred to as "virtual." This is to avoid confusion with objects that exist in the real world, and means that they do not exist in the real world but are displayed in an image on the screen. For example, a "virtual golf course" means a golf course displayed on the screen, and a "virtual golf ball" means a golf ball displayed on the screen.

[0023] The wind providing means 70 generates wind to embody an environment where wind is blowing on an actual field golf course, thereby allowing the user to directly experience the wind with his / her body while playing.

[0024] The virtual golf device is a device that is installed in a screen golf course and allows a user to play golf such as screen golf. The operation process of the virtual golf device when a user plays screen golf is as follows. When a user hits a golf ball, the sensor unit (30) senses parameters indicating the movement of the golf club and the physical state of the golf ball hit by the user, such as the moving speed and moving direction. The information sensed by the sensor unit (30) is transmitted to the control unit (20), and the calculation unit (21) in the control unit (20) performs a calculation process to calculate the trajectory of the golf ball based on the transmitted information. The display unit (60) displays an image of the virtual golf ball moving according to the trajectory calculated by the calculation process, and at this time, the virtual golf ball moves according to the calculated trajectory and lands at a specific point on the virtual golf course displayed on the screen, and the user continues the next shot from the point where the virtual golf ball landed. The above operation process is repeated for the user's next shot.

[0025] While the user is playing screen golf using the above method, wind can be generated by the wind providing means 70, and the wind can be maintained in a state set by the user. This is because the control unit 20 controls the wind providing means 70 so that the playing environment is maintained according to the user's settings. Hereinafter, the detailed operation of the wind providing means 70 will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a wind providing means that can be used in the virtual golf device of FIG. Referring to FIG. 2, the wind providing means is provided in the form of a driving fan as an example (however, the wind providing means does not necessarily have to be in the form of a driving fan, and may be in other forms as long as it can generate wind). The driving fan has a rotor and can generate wind by rotating the rotor when it receives power from a driving source. The driving fan can change the direction of the rotor. For this, the driving fan has a function of turning the body itself forward, backward, left, right, etc. Alternatively, the driving fan may have a function of rotating. By using the above function, the direction of the driving fan can be set to a specific direction. As a result, the direction of the wind (wind direction) generated by the driving fan can be adjusted. In addition, the driving fan has a function of adjusting the rotation speed of the rotor to adjust the strength of the wind (wind speed), and a desired wind speed can be generated using this. Although FIG. 2 illustrates a state in which one driving fan is installed on the ceiling, the number of driving fans can be multiple, and the position of the driving fan does not necessarily have to be the ceiling, but may be on the side or floor.

[0027] The driving fan can create a windy environment in the indoor golf course where the virtual golf device is installed, and the user can experience the reality of playing at an outdoor golf course where the wind actually blows. The wind direction and / or wind speed of the driving fan can be created according to the user's desire. That is, the user can set the play environment in a menu for selecting play options before starting play, and when the user sets the wind requirements (wind direction / wind speed, etc.) in the play environment to the requirements he / she desires, the control unit (20) controls the driving fan to generate the wind set by the user. The user can set the wind requirements by specifically specifying the wind direction / wind speed (e.g., northeast wind of 0.5 m / s). Alternatively, the user can set a specific date to create a wind with the same requirements as the wind that actually blew on that date. Alternatively, the user can select random to arbitrarily set the wind. Alternatively, the user can select a no-wind option when he / she desires an environment without wind.

[0028] The user can set other factors besides wind as the play environment. For example, in real golf, it may be that the golfer plays golf when it is raining, and the user can set the play environment to reflect such real conditions, such as whether it is raining or not, and the amount of precipitation if it is raining. When the user sets the requirement for precipitation, an image of rain falling is displayed on the screen, instead of creating an environment in which it actually rains.

[0029] As described above, the wind conditions (wind direction, wind speed, etc.) created by the driving fan can be set according to the user's will, but as a different method, the wind conditions can be automatically set according to the progress of golf play regardless of the user's will. An embodiment in which the wind direction, wind speed, etc. are automatically set according to the progress of golf play will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0030] 3 to 11 are diagrams for explaining an example of a method for adjusting the operating conditions of the wind providing means according to the position of the virtual golf ball before hitting.

[0031] FIG. 3 shows an example of a virtual golf course displayed on the screen of the virtual golf device of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 3, the virtual golf course displayed on the screen can be reproduced and expressed as an actual golf course. For example, an actual golf course has terrains with various attributes such as a fairway, rough, bunker, etc., and such terrains with various attributes can be reproduced and expressed as an actual golf course displayed on the screen. The fairway is a grass area where the grass is short and managed, making it easy to play. The rough is a grass area where the grass is not managed and the grass is longer than the fairway. The rough with long grass is more difficult to hit than the fairway with short grass, making it more difficult to hit. The bunker is an area mainly made of sand, and when a golf ball is hit in the bunker, sand scatters, making it very difficult to hit. As shown in FIG. 3, the virtual golf course displayed on the screen includes terrains with various attributes such as a virtual fairway, virtual rough, virtual bunker, etc., which correspond to the fairway, rough, bunker, etc. of the actual golf course, and is displayed as an actual golf course reproduced as it is.

[0032] FIG. 4 shows an example of a hitting mat that can be used in the virtual golf device. Referring to FIG. 4, a multi-area mat having multiple areas that are separated from one another can be used as the hitting mat. In the multi-area hitting mat, each separated area can be configured to correspond to a terrain having various attributes on an actual golf course. For example, the multi-area hitting mat is configured to include a fairway area corresponding to a fairway on an actual golf course and a non-fairway area corresponding to a non-fairway on an actual golf course (areas other than the fairway, such as rough and bunkers, which are trouble areas that are more difficult to hit than fairways, are conveniently named "non-fairway"). In addition, the non-fairway area includes a rough area and a bunker area that respectively correspond to the rough and bunker on an actual golf course. When manufacturing a multi-area hitting mat, the fairway area and the rough area are all made of artificial turf, but the lengths of the artificial turf in the fairway area and the rough area are formed to be different from each other, and the bunker area can be made of a material that can give a hitting feeling like hitting with sand. In real golf, there are other terrains such as water hazards other than fairways, roughs, and bunkers, and roughs and bunkers are also subdivided into light roughs, heavy roughs, fairway bunkers, and green bunkers, so the hitting mat can be constructed in various forms to reflect the terrains of real golf courses in various ways. Therefore, the multi-area hitting mat is not limited to the structure shown in FIG. 4.

[0033] In screen golf play, when a user hits a golf ball, the user actually hits an actual golf ball on a hitting mat, but in the setting of screen golf play, it is assumed that the golf ball is hit at a point on the screen where a virtual golf ball is placed. If the hitting mat is divided into a plurality of areas corresponding to the plurality of areas displayed on the screen, the user places the actual golf ball and then hits the actual golf ball so that the area on the screen where the virtual golf ball is placed corresponds to the area on the hitting mat where the actual golf ball is placed.

[0034] For example, as shown in Fig. 5(a), when the virtual golf ball (VB) is located on a virtual fairway in the virtual golf course on the screen, the user places the actual golf ball (RB) in the fairway area of ​​the hitting mat and hits it, assuming that the user is hitting a golf ball located on the fairway. Also, as shown in Fig. 5(b) and Fig. 5(c), when the virtual golf ball (VB) is located in a virtual rough / virtual bunker in the virtual golf course on the screen, the user places the actual golf ball (RB) in the rough area / bunker area of ​​the hitting mat and hits it, assuming that the user is hitting a golf ball located in the rough or bunker.

[0035] By using a hitting mat with multiple areas in this manner, the user can create a hitting situation on the hitting mat that corresponds to the situation in which the virtual golf ball on the screen is located (the virtual golf ball is located on either the virtual fairway / virtual rough / virtual bunker) and the hitting situation on the hitting mat (the actual golf ball is located in either the fairway area / rough area / bunker area), and then hit the actual golf ball.This allows the user to experience the same hitting feeling as when making a fairway shot / rough shot / bunker shot in actual golf, even in screen golf.

[0036] However, when using a multi-area hitting mat, a user may mistakenly or intentionally place a real golf ball in a wrong position on the hitting mat and hit it. For example, when a virtual golf ball is located in a virtual rough or a virtual bunker on a virtual golf course on a screen, a user may place a real golf ball in a fairway area of ​​the hitting mat and hit it. Since a golf ball providing means for providing a real golf ball to a user mainly operates to provide a golf ball in a fairway area of ​​the hitting mat, in order to make a correct hit when a virtual golf ball is located in a virtual rough or a virtual bunker, the user must move the real golf ball provided in the fairway area of ​​the hitting mat to a rough area or a bunker area of ​​the hitting mat before hitting it. However, a user may mistakenly or intentionally not move the real golf ball provided in the fairway area to the correct area (rough or bunker area) and hit it. When using a multi-area hitting mat, such a problem can be solved through the operation of a wind providing means (see reference numeral 70 in FIG. 1) in the virtual golf device according to the above embodiment.

[0037] FIG. 6 shows an example of a hitting mat that can be used in the virtual golf device of FIG. 1, and FIGS. 7 to 11 are diagrams for explaining the operating process of the virtual golf device in which the hitting mat of FIG. 6 is used to operate the drive fan under various operating conditions. 6, a hitting mat consisting of only a single area can be used in a virtual golf device equipped with a driving fan, where the single area is mainly a fairway area. According to this embodiment, since a single area hitting mat is used, the golf ball providing means provides golf balls only in the single area, that is, the fairway area, and the user can hit the provided golf balls without having to move them to other areas. When using a multiple area hitting mat, there is a problem that the golf ball provided in the fairway area by the golf ball providing means should be moved to a non-fairway area and hit, but the golf ball is hit in the wrong position without being moved, but this embodiment does not have such a problem.

[0038] In the virtual golf device according to the present embodiment, a driving fan can be used as the wind providing means, and the driving fan can operate under three different operating conditions. Referring to FIG. 7, the driving fan operates under a first operating condition (C1) when the virtual golf ball displayed on the screen is located on the virtual fairway. Referring to FIG. 8, the driving fan operates under a second operating condition (C2) when the virtual golf ball displayed on the screen is located on the virtual rough. Referring to FIG. 9, the driving fan operates under a third operating condition (C3) when the virtual golf ball displayed on the screen is located on the virtual bunker. That is, the control unit (see reference numeral 20 in FIG. 1) of the virtual golf device checks whether the golf ball currently displayed on the screen is located on the virtual fairway / virtual rough / virtual bunker before the user hits the ball, and selects one of the first to third operating conditions (C1, C2, C3) according to the checked result and controls the driving fan to operate under the selected operating condition. Comparing this method of using a single-area hitting mat and operating the drive fan under different operating conditions depending on the position of the virtual golf ball on the screen with the method of using a multiple-area hitting mat, when a multiple-area hitting mat is used, the difference in environment when the virtual golf ball displayed on the screen is in the virtual fairway / virtual rough / virtual bunker is realized by the fairway area / rough area / bunker area that are distinguished from each other in the multiple-area hitting mat, whereas when a single-area hitting mat is used, the difference in environment when the virtual golf ball displayed on the screen is in the virtual fairway / virtual rough / virtual bunker is realized through the different operating conditions of the drive fan instead of the hitting mat.In the method using a multiple-area hitting mat, a user action (e.g., moving a golf ball provided in a fairway area to a non-fairway area) is required to create an actual environment that is identical to the current environment of the screen, and problems may occur due to the user action (such as when the user makes a mistake or intentionally hits the golf ball without moving it to the correct area). However, in the method of operating a drive fan under multiple operating conditions, a user action (e.g., moving a golf ball provided in a fairway area to a non-fairway area) is not required to create an actual environment that is identical to the current environment of the screen, so no problems due to the user action occur.

[0039] In a method for operating a driving fan under different operating conditions according to the position of a virtual golf ball displayed on a screen while using a single-area hitting mat, the first to third operating conditions (C1, C2, C3) cause differences in physical characteristics of a golf ball hit by a user. Even if a user performs the same hit (meaning hitting a golf ball with the same swing and the same impact, etc.) under the first to third operating conditions (C1, C2, C3), the golf ball hit under the first operating condition (C1) as shown in Fig. 7 becomes a golf ball having a first state (conveniently named a first golf ball (B1)), the golf ball hit under the second operating condition (C2) as shown in Fig. 8 becomes a golf ball having a second state (conveniently named a second golf ball (B2)), and the golf ball hit under the third operating condition (C3) as shown in Fig. 9 becomes a golf ball having a third state (conveniently named a third golf ball (B3)).

[0040] When the calculation unit (see reference numeral 21 in FIG. 1) performs a calculation process to calculate the trajectory of the golf ball, various methods can be applied. In one of the various methods, a parameter value indicating the physical state of the golf ball after hitting is sensed and the trajectory is calculated from the parameter value. Referring to FIG. 10, examples of the parameters include the speed (V) of the golf ball (B), the horizontal angle (φ) indicating the direction of the golf ball on the horizontal plane when the golf ball is hit, the launch angle (θ) indicating the angle at which the golf ball is tilted with respect to the horizontal plane, and the spin (S) indicating the rotation state of the golf ball. The trajectory of the golf ball can be calculated by applying a calculation model using physical laws based on parameters such as the speed (V), the horizontal angle (φ), the launch angle (θ), and the spin (S). Although not shown in the drawing, it is also possible to sense not only the physical state of the golf ball but also the movement of the golf club when the user hits the golf ball and use the sensed information about the golf club to calculate the trajectory of the golf ball.

[0041] Since the first to third operating conditions (C1, C2, C3) are different, the physical state values ​​after the hit of the first to third golf balls (B1, B2, B3) are different from each other. That is, the post-hit velocity (V1) / left-right angle (φ1) / launch angle (θ1) / spin (S1) of the first golf ball (B1), the post-hit velocity (V2) / left-right angle (φ2) / launch angle (θ2) / spin (S2) of the second golf ball (B2), and the post-hit velocity (V3) / left-right angle (φ3) / launch angle (θ3) / spin (S3) of the third golf ball (B3) have different values ​​for the same hit, and as a result, the virtual golf balls corresponding to the first to third golf balls (B1, B2, B3) have different trajectories for the same hit. Here, the meaning that the speed (V), left / right angle (φ), launch angle (θ), and spin (S) have different values ​​includes the case where the speed (V), left / right angle (φ), launch angle (θ), and spin (S) all have different values, or the case where only some of them have different values.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 11, as an example of the first to third operating conditions (C1, C2, C3), it is assumed that the wind direction is the same in the first to third operating conditions (C1, C2, C3) and only the wind speed is different. Specifically, it is assumed that the wind direction in all of the first to third operating conditions (C1, C2, C3) is from the screen to the user, and the wind speed is the smallest in the first operating condition (C1), intermediate in the second operating condition (C2), and the largest in the third operating condition (C3). If a user hits an actual golf ball toward the screen in the same way, the first to third golf balls (B1, B2, B3) after hitting move toward the screen, but since the driving fan operates in the different first to third operating conditions (C1, C2, C3) and a headwind blows from the screen toward the user, the headwind directly affects the speed of the first to third golf balls (B1, B2, B3). (Although a headwind can also affect the direction angle (φ) / launch angle (θ) / spin (S), it is assumed here that there is no effect of a headwind on the direction angle (φ) / launch angle (θ) / spin (S). As a result, the first to third golf balls (B1, B2, B3) have the same direction angle (φ1=φ2=φ3) / launch angle (θ1=θ2=θ3) / spin (S1=S2=S3), and there is only a speed difference (V1≠V2≠V3). That is, the wind speed in the first operating condition (C1) is the smallest, so the speed (V1) of the first golf ball (B1) is the largest, the wind speed in the third operating condition (C3) is the largest, so the speed (V3) of the third golf ball (B3) is the smallest, and the speed (V2) of the second golf ball (B2) in the second operating condition (C2) with an intermediate wind speed has an intermediate value (V1>V2>V3). In this case, due to the speed difference, for the same hit, the first golf ball (B1) has the longest flight distance, the second golf ball (B2) has an intermediate flight distance, and the third golf ball (B3) has the shortest flight distance.Considering that the order of difficulty of hitting in actual golf is fairway (easy), rough (medium), and bunker (difficult), and the higher the difficulty of hitting, the shorter the flight distance, a fairway shot (a hit when the virtual golf ball is on the virtual fairway) can be made to have the longest flight distance by generating the weakest headwind, a rough shot (a hit when the virtual golf ball is on the virtual rough) can be made to have a medium flight distance by generating a medium headwind, and a bunker shot (a hit when the virtual golf ball is on the virtual bunker) can be made to have the shortest flight distance by generating the strongest headwind.

[0043] Here, the first to third operating conditions (C1, C2, C3) may be set in slightly modified forms. For example, the first operating condition (C1) is a state where no wind is generated (windless state) and the driving fan does not operate, and the second and third operating conditions (C2, C3) have the same wind direction (headwind from the screen to the user), but the wind speed of the second operating condition (C2) can be set to be smaller than the wind speed of the third operating condition (C3).

[0044] As an example of a method for operating the driving fan under different operating conditions according to the position of the virtual golf ball on the screen, a method in which the driving fan has the same wind direction and the wind speed increases due to a fairway shot / rough shot / bunker shot has been described above, but this is only one example to facilitate understanding, and there are various operating conditions for operating the driving fan according to the position of the virtual golf ball on the screen. For example, the wind direction of the driving fan can change depending on a fairway shot / rough shot / bunker shot so as to interfere with the traveling direction of the hit golf ball. Specifically, in actual golf, the order of difficulty of hitting is fairway (easy), rough (medium), and bunker (difficult). Considering that the higher the difficulty of hitting, the more likely the golf ball hit by the user will deviate from the path intended by the user, for fairway shots, a first operating condition (C1) is set so that the wind direction of the driving fan hardly interferes with the traveling direction of the hit golf ball, thereby guiding the ball to a trajectory close to the user's intention, for rough shots, a second operating condition (C2) is set so that the wind direction of the driving fan interferes to some extent with the traveling direction of the hit golf ball, thereby guiding the ball to a trajectory that is slightly different from the user's intention, and for bunker shots, a third operating condition (C3) is set so that the wind direction of the driving fan greatly interferes with the traveling direction of the hit golf ball, thereby guiding the ball to a trajectory that is significantly different from the user's intention.

[0045] As described above, in this embodiment, the driving fan is operated under different operating conditions such as wind direction and / or wind speed, thereby having the effect of reproducing fairway shots / rough shots / bunker shots in actual golf with screen golf. In addition, in this embodiment, a single-area hitting mat can be used instead of a multiple-area hitting mat, which can prevent problems that arise from using a multiple-area hitting mat (problems with rough shots or bunker shots where the user places the golf ball in the wrong area and hits it without moving it to the rough or bunker area).

[0046] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a virtual golf device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 12, the virtual golf device according to the present embodiment includes a number of booths (101, 102, 103). Each booth (101, 102, 103) is configured identically. For example, the first booth (101) includes a hitting plate (101a), a computer device (101b) that includes a kiosk screen and can function as a control device in the above embodiment, a screen (101c), etc., and the other booths (102, 103) also have the same components. Although not shown in the drawing, each booth (101, 102, 103) is further equipped with other devices such as a camera for detecting the movement of the golf club / golf ball when hitting. In each booth (101, 102, 103), multiple users can take turns playing golf. Alternatively, in each booth (101, 102, 103), a single user can play solo while being separated from users in other booths. The virtual golf device according to the present embodiment is equipped with the driving fan of the above-mentioned embodiment, and can realistically reproduce the situation of an actual golf course where wind blows through the driving fan. Also, by setting various operating conditions of the driving fan according to the position of the virtual golf ball on the screen (101c), it is possible to reproduce shots in various situations such as fairway shots, rough shots, bunker shots, etc. using a single-area hitting mat.

[0047] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a virtual golf stem according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 13, the virtual golf system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a virtual golf device 100 and a service device 200. The virtual golf device 100 may be one as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 12. The virtual golf device 100 is installed in a home or public screen golf course where screen golf can be played, and when there are multiple screen golf courses, a virtual golf device 100 is installed for each screen golf course, and a total of multiple virtual golf devices 100 are provided. The virtual golf device is equipped with the driving fan of the above embodiment, and the situation of an actual golf course where wind blows through the driving fan can be realistically reproduced. In addition, by variously setting the operating conditions of the driving fan according to the position of the virtual golf ball on the screen, it is possible to reproduce shots in various situations such as fairway shots, rough shots, and bunker shots using a single-area hitting mat.

[0048] The virtual golf device 100 is connected to a service device 200 via a wired or wireless communication network, etc. The service device 200 includes a central server used by a service provider operating a plurality of screen golf courses to manage the virtual golf devices 100 installed in the plurality of screen golf courses.

[0049] The service device (200) includes a storage unit (210). The storage unit (210) stores various information including user information. When a user who wishes to use a screen golf service first logs in to receive the service, the service device (200) confirms the user's identity and determines whether or not to approve the login. To determine whether or not to approve the login, the storage unit (210) stores information for confirming the user's identity.

[0050] The storage unit (210) stores information about a plurality of users, classified for each user. The storage area for each user stores user identification information, play information, setting information, etc. The identification information is for verifying the identity of the user, and can be used for the login process, etc. The play information includes the user's past play records and the user's personal records obtained from the past play records (average driving distance by club, average number of strokes, etc.). The setting information includes information about items set by the user. For example, the user may store golf courses that he or she has played in the past, playing difficulty, playing style, preferred operating conditions, etc. as setting information. There may be users who find it troublesome to input various selection items every time they play, and if such users do not input the selection items, the selection items may be automatically set based on the setting information.

[0051] As various user information is stored in the storage unit (210) in this manner, a plurality of virtual golf devices (100) connected to the service device (200) via wired and / or wireless connections can use the information stored in the storage unit (210), and each virtual golf device (100) does not need to separately store user information or other information held by the storage unit (210).

[0052] Specific examples of the present invention have been discussed above. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be embodied in modified forms without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should be considered in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. The scope of the present invention is defined in the claims, not in the above description, and all differences within the scope of the claims should be interpreted as being included in the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 10: Strike plate 20: Control unit 30: Sensing part 40: Input section 50: Sound section 60: Display section 70: Wind provision means 100: Virtual golf device 200: Service equipment

Claims

1. a display unit for displaying a virtual golf course; a calculation unit that calculates a motion of a virtual golf ball corresponding to the actual golf ball on the virtual golf course when a user hits the actual golf ball; A wind providing means for generating and providing wind while the user is playing. Including, The wind providing means may operate at different operating conditions depending on where the virtual golf ball is located on the virtual golf course prior to a user striking the actual golf ball. Virtual golf equipment.

2. a hitting mat on which a user places and hits the actual golf ball; the virtual golf course includes a plurality of different areas, the plurality of different areas including virtual fairways corresponding to fairways of an actual golf course and virtual non-fairways corresponding to non-fairways other than the fairways on the actual golf course; The virtual golf device of claim 1 , wherein the hitting mat comprises a single area corresponding to the virtual fairway.

3. a hitting mat on which a user places and hits the actual golf ball; the virtual golf course includes a plurality of different areas, the plurality of different areas including virtual fairways corresponding to fairways of an actual golf course and virtual non-fairways corresponding to non-fairways other than the fairways on the actual golf course; 2. The virtual golf device of claim 1, wherein the wind providing means operates in a first operating condition when the virtual golf ball is located on the virtual fairway and in a second operating condition when the virtual golf ball is located on the virtual non-fairway before a user hits the actual golf ball.

4. When the user sets the direction of hitting the actual golf ball as the hitting direction, 4. The virtual golf device according to claim 3, wherein in the first and second operating conditions, the wind direction is opposite to the hitting direction, and the wind speed in the first operating condition is set to be smaller than the wind speed in the second operating condition.

5. When the user sets the direction of hitting the actual golf ball as the hitting direction, 4. The virtual golf device according to claim 3, wherein no wind is generated in the first operating condition, and a wind direction is set opposite to the hitting direction in the second operating condition.

6. the virtual non-fairway includes a plurality of distinct regions; The virtual golf device of claim 3 , wherein the second operating condition depends on where the virtual golf ball is located among a plurality of different regions of the virtual non-fairway.

7. A service device; at least one virtual golf device communicatively connected to the service device; Including, The virtual golf device includes a display unit that displays a virtual golf course, a calculation unit that calculates a movement of a virtual golf ball corresponding to the actual golf ball on the virtual golf course when a user hits the actual golf ball, and a wind providing means that generates and provides wind while the user is playing; The wind providing means may operate at different operating conditions depending on where the virtual golf ball is located on the virtual golf course prior to a user striking the actual golf ball. Virtual golf system.

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