Virtual golf device displaying deformed green region and virtual golf system

Abstract

To provide a virtual golf device displaying a deformed green region and a virtual golf system.SOLUTION: A virtual golf device includes: a display unit for displaying a video of a virtual golf course where a user plays; a storage unit for storing information on the virtual golf course; and a calculation unit for performing a calculation step of calculating movements of a virtual golf ball corresponding to an actual golf ball on the virtual golf course on the basis of a state of an actually-hit golf ball when the user actually hits the golf ball. The virtual golf course includes a green region where a hole cup is located. The information about the virtual golf course includes original data about the green region. At a patting stage of the user, it is possible to display deformed green region video based on deformed data that is obtained by deforming original data instead of original green region video based on the original data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a virtual golf device and a virtual golf system that display a modified green area so that the topographical characteristics of the green area can be easily understood. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, golf has become more popular, and the number of people playing golf is 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 more 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, so it is popular among modern people who find it difficult to play on an outdoor field due to time or financial reasons.

[0003] As the number of people playing screen golf increases, user expectations for screen golf are also rising. Compared to real golf, screen golf has the advantage that it can provide users with technical services that are difficult to provide in real golf, which is played in an open outdoor space, because it is played in an enclosed indoor space. Therefore, it is necessary to improve user convenience in playing screen golf by utilizing such advantages and providing various technical services. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has as its object to provide a virtual golf device that is configured to enable a user to easily grasp the topographical characteristics of the green area. Another object of the present invention is to provide a virtual golf system that is configured to allow a user to easily grasp the topographical characteristics of the green area. 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 an image of a virtual golf course played by a user, a storage unit that stores information about the virtual golf course, and a calculation unit that executes a calculation process to calculate a movement of a virtual golf ball corresponding to the real golf ball on the virtual golf course based on a state of the hit real golf ball when the user hits the real golf ball, the virtual golf course includes a green area where a hole cup is located, and the information about the virtual golf course includes original data about the green area, and during a user's putting step, a modified green area image based on modified data obtained by modifying the original data can be displayed instead of an original green area image based on the original data.

[0006] In the virtual golf device, the transformed green area image shows an exaggerated slope of the green area compared to an original slope. In the above-mentioned virtual golf device, the green area includes a first point having a first height and a second point having a second height, and in the transformed green area image, the distance between the first point and the second point is displayed as L times the distance in the original data (L is a positive number), and the first and second heights are displayed as M1 times the first height in the original data (M1 is a positive number greater than L) and M2 times the second height (M2 is a positive number greater than L), respectively.

[0007] In the above virtual golf device, when the first height is smaller than the second height, the M1 is equal to or smaller than the M2. In the virtual golf device, M1 and M2 can be determined according to a user's selection.

[0008] A virtual golf device according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a display unit that displays an image of a virtual golf course played by a user, and a calculation unit that executes a calculation process for calculating a movement of a virtual golf ball corresponding to the real golf ball on the virtual golf course based on a state of the hit real golf ball when the user hits the real golf ball, the virtual golf course includes a green area where a hole cup is located, and during a user's putting step, the green area is divided into a plurality of areas and displayed, and each edge portion of the plurality of areas may be displayed differently from other edge portions due to an inclination of the corresponding portion.

[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 coupled to the service device, the virtual golf device being any of the virtual golf devices described above. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, since the user is configured to easily grasp the topographical characteristics of the green area, it has an effect of increasing convenience for the user. [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] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a playing process entering a putting stage and a normal screen image during the putting stage; [Diagram 3] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a playing process entering a putting stage and a normal screen image during the putting stage; [Figure 4] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating the principle of forming a modified green area that can represent the topographical characteristics of the green area during a putting stage. [Diagram 5] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating the principle of forming a modified green area that can represent the topographical characteristics of the green area during a putting stage. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen for selecting whether or not to display a modified green area image. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of utilizing a modified green area image. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of utilizing a modified green area image. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of utilizing a modified green area image. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen image for explaining another method for displaying topographical characteristics of a green area during a putting phase. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a virtual golf device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a virtual golf system 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), and a display unit (60). The striking plate (10) is the area where a user stands to strike 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 is positioned, rather than a separate object. Although not shown in the drawings, the striking plate 10 is provided with a striking mat on which golf balls to be struck are placed, and the striking mat is provided with an auto tee that is structured to be movable up and down. Golf balls to be struck can be automatically provided to the user through the auto tee.

[0016] The control unit 20 controls the overall operation between the components of the virtual golf device. For example, the control unit 20 controls an auto tee installed on a hitting mat so that the auto tee provides a golf ball for hitting according to the time when the user hits the ball. Specifically, immediately after the user hits a golf ball placed on the hitting mat, the control unit 20 detects that the hit has been made and controls the auto tee to provide a golf ball for the next hit. The control unit 20 includes a calculation unit 21, an image unit 22, and a storage unit 23 (the calculation unit 21, the image unit 22, the storage unit 23, etc. may be configured to be provided independently and separated from the control unit 20). The calculation unit 21 performs a calculation process to calculate a trajectory of the golf ball when it is assumed that the golf ball moves on a real golf course in a physical state based on the physical state of the golf ball hit by the user. The image unit 22 plays a role of forming an image to be displayed on the display unit 60. For example, when a user selects a particular golf course, the imaging unit (22) forms an image of the golf course selected by the user, and the image is transmitted to the display unit (60) and displayed. The storage unit (23) 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), the calculation unit (21), the imaging unit (22), etc. For example, when the imaging unit (22) forms an image of the golf course, the storage unit (23) stores information about the golf course required to form the image. The storage unit (23) does not necessarily have to be provided in the virtual golf device, and may be provided in the central server when the virtual golf device is connected to the central server.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] The sound unit 50 includes audio equipment such as a speaker, 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. 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] The virtual golf device is a device that is installed at a screen golf course to enable a user to play 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 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.

[0022] 2 and 3 are diagrams showing a playing process entering the putting stage and a typical screen image during the putting stage. 2, when a user starts playing on a particular virtual golf course, the user's virtual golf ball is initially located at a first position (L0) corresponding to a tee box, and when the user hits his / her golf ball placed on a hitting mat, the trajectory of the virtual golf ball on the virtual golf course is calculated based on the physical state of the hit golf ball. For example, if the user's first hit causes the virtual golf ball at the first position (L0) to move to a first position (L1), the user's second hit causes the virtual golf ball at the first position (L1) to move to a second position (L2), and the user's third hit causes the virtual golf ball at the second position (L2) to move to a green area where a hole cup is located, the putting stage is started when the virtual golf ball enters the green area.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 3, in the putting stage, the virtual golf ball located in the green area and the hole cup as the target point are displayed on the screen. The user rolls the real golf ball on the hitting mat and puts, and the virtual golf ball displayed on the screen moves in the green area based on the physical state of the putted real golf ball. If the virtual golf ball enters the hole cup as a result, the putting is successful and the play on the corresponding virtual golf course is completed. To successfully putt, the user needs to grasp the distance between the virtual golf ball and the hole cup and also grasp the terrain characteristics between the virtual golf ball and the hole cup to roll the golf ball in the appropriate direction and strength. In real golf, the terrain of the green area is often complex and sloped, rather than being a simple flat land. Most virtual golf courses displayed on the screen of the virtual golf device are modeled after golf courses on real golf courses, so the green area of ​​the virtual golf course is often sloped. However, since the virtual golf course on the screen is displayed on a two-dimensional flat screen, it is difficult for the user to grasp the slope of the green area only from the image on the screen. 3 illustrates a situation where a hole cup is located in front of a virtual golf ball, and in this situation, even if a real golf ball corresponding to the virtual golf ball is putted in front, if the green area is inclined, the putting is unlikely to be successful. For example, if the terrain of the green area displayed on the screen is not flat but has a slope with the left side being higher and the right side being lower, even if the virtual golf ball is putted in front, the virtual golf ball is likely to roll to the right side of the hole cup due to the influence of the slope. Therefore, in the putting stage, the user must putt while considering the terrain characteristics of the green area in the virtual golf course, and for this, it is necessary to provide convenience for the user to easily grasp the terrain characteristics of the green area. According to an embodiment of the present invention, two different methods are used to enable the user to easily grasp the terrain characteristics of the green area, and the two methods will be described below with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 4 to 9 and 10).

[0024] Figures 4 and 5 are diagrams for explaining the principle of forming a modified green area that can show the topographical characteristics of the green area during the putting stage, Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen for selecting whether or not to display a modified green area image, and Figures 7 to 9 are diagrams showing various examples of using the modified green area image.

[0025] According to the present embodiment, when the green area is displayed on the screen, the topographical characteristics of the green area can be exaggerated so that the user can easily recognize the topographical characteristics of the green area. The image of the green area displayed on the screen is formed by the imaging unit (22) and provided to the user by the display unit (60). The imaging unit (22) forms an image of the green area using the data of the virtual golf course stored in the storage unit (23). The data for forming the image of the virtual golf course stored in the storage unit (23) is called "original data" for convenience, and the imaging unit (22) generally forms an image of the virtual golf course using the original data as it is. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when an image showing the topography of a first point (P1) and a second point (P2) of the green area is formed, the original data includes information about the first point (P1) and information about the second point (P2). The information about the first point (P1) includes position and height information, which are called a first position (x1, y1) and a first height (h1) for convenience. The information about the second point (P2) also includes position and height information, which will be called the second position (x2, y2) and the second height (h2) for convenience. In this case, according to a conventional method, the imaging unit (22) forms an image of the first and second points (P1, P2) by forming the first point (P1) having the first height (h1) at the first position (x1, y1) and forming the second point (P2) having the second height (h2) at the second position (x2, y2) using the original data as is. As a result, the terrain between the first and second points (P1, P2) in the image has the following slope (a1). a1=(h2-h1) / d (d is the distance between the first and second points (P1, P2))

[0026] In contrast, according to a method different from the conventional method (a method of exaggerating the topographical characteristics of the green area), before forming an image, the original data for the first and second points (P1, P2) are first transformed, and the image of the green area is formed based on the transformed data. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, in the transformed data, in a first position (x1, y1) and a first height (h1) at a first point (P1), the first height (h1) is transformed to a height greater than the original height (e.g., 2 x h1, which is twice the original height), and in a second position (x2, y2) and a second height (h2) at a second point (P2), the second height (h2) is transformed to a height greater than the original height (e.g., 2 x h2, which is twice the original height). In this way, when the original data is transformed into transformed data and an image of a green area is formed based on the transformed data, a first point (P1) is formed at a height twice the first height (h1) at a first position (x1, y1), and a second point (P2) is formed at a height twice the second height (h2) at a second position (x2, y2). As a result, the terrain between the first and second points (P1, P2) in the image based on the transformed data has the following slope (a2): a2=(2×h2-2×h1) / d (d is the distance between the first and second points (P1, P2))

[0027] When comparing a green area image in a normal manner (meaning an image based on original data, hereafter referred to as an "original green area image") with a green area image in a different manner from the normal manner (meaning an image based on modified data, hereafter referred to as a "modified green area image"), the green area in the modified green area image has a higher height at each point and a greater gradient between each point compared to the green area in the original green area image (for example, in the example shown in Figures 4 and 5, the modified green area image has twice the height at each point and twice the gradient between each point compared to the original green area image). Therefore, when the modified green area image is displayed, the user can more clearly grasp the topographical characteristics of the green area, such as the gradient of the green area.

[0028] The simplest method for generating transformed data from original data has been described by way of example in which the height of each point in the green area is collectively doubled, but there are various other methods for generating transformed data.

[0029] (1) For the first and second points (P1, P2) of the original data, when the distance (d) between the first and second points is displayed on the screen at L times the original data (L x d) (L is a number greater than zero, including an integer, rational number, irrational number, etc.), if the first height (h1) is displayed on the screen at L times the first height (L x h1) and the second height (h2) is displayed on the screen at L times the second height (L x h2), the distance (d) and heights (h1, h2) are all changed to L times the original data. However, since the distance (d) and heights (h1, h2) are changed to the same value, it cannot be said that the topographical characteristics of the green area have substantially changed compared to the original, and it can be said that the original data has been enlarged and displayed as is.

[0030] In contrast, while displaying the distance (d) between the first and second points of the original data on the screen as L times the distance (L×d) of the original data (L is a number greater than zero including integers, rational numbers, irrational numbers, etc.), and displaying the first height (h1) on the screen as M1 times the first height (M1×h1) (M1 is a number greater than zero including integers, rational numbers, irrational numbers, etc.) and the second height (h2) on the screen as M2 times the second height (M2×h2) (M2 is a number greater than zero including integers, rational numbers, irrational numbers, etc.), since the ratio (L) by which the distance (d) is deformed compared to the original data and the ratios (M1, M2) by which the heights (h1, h2) are deformed compared to the original data are different from each other, depending on how the value of L / M1 / M2 is set, the topographical characteristics of the green area can be exaggerated and displayed on the screen. In the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, it is set to "L = 1 / M1 = M2 = 2".

[0031] (2) If the requirement "L < M1, M2" is satisfied, the transformed data is formed such that the first and second heights (h1, h2) are always changed more greatly compared to the distance (d) between the first and second points (P1, P2). Thus, in the video of the transformed green area, the topographical characteristics of the green area can always be exaggerated and expressed. When the requirement "M1 = M2" is satisfied in a state where the requirement "L < M1, M2" is satisfied, it becomes substantially the same requirement as the embodiment mentioned in (1), and it is also possible to set M1 and M2 so as to satisfy the requirement "M1 ≠ M2" different from (1). In this case, by setting M1 and M2 so as to satisfy the requirement "M1 < M2 (set such that the transformed height of the point with a higher height is larger than the transformed height of the point with a lower height)", the topographical characteristics of the green area can be made to be identified more clearly.

[0032] (3) In the examples (1) and (2), the height of the first and second points (P1, P2) was multiplied by a predetermined ratio to increase the corresponding height. Instead of modifying the original data in this way, it is also possible to use a method of adding a predetermined increment to the height of the first and second points (P1, P2) to increase the height. For example, after transforming the first and second heights (h1, h2) into the first and second transformed heights (h1 + N1, h2 + N2) respectively, an image of the green area can be formed based on the transformed data. Here, N1 and N2 can be set to be the same as each other, or set such that "N1 < N2 (the transformed height of the point with a higher height is set to be greater than the transformed height of the point with a lower height)".

[0033] The image of the transformed green area can be automatically provided to the user at the padding stage. Alternatively, the image of the transformed green area may be provided according to whether the user selects it or not. When leaving it to the user's selection, whether the image of the transformed green area is provided can be selected on the menu screen.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 6, a menu screen for selecting a user's play option can be displayed on the screen or a kiosk that is not shown in the drawing but is provided separately. Usually, a real golf course is composed of 18 holes (18 different golf courses), and in screen golf, if a user selects a specific golf course that he / she wants to play, the user can play on multiple holes (multiple golf courses) that compose the golf course. In screen golf, the user can play all 18 holes as in real golf, or play 9 holes, which is half of the 18 holes, as an informal play, and this can be selected in the play option menu screen. In addition, through the play option menu screen, the user can select a unit for displaying distance and speed. In addition, through the play option menu screen, the user can select whether to display an image of the original green area (normal screen) or an image of the modified green area (modified screen) in the putting stage. When selecting the modified screen, the user can select how many times the normal screen (for example, a value corresponding to twice in the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, or the above-mentioned values ​​M1, M2, N1, N2, etc.) the modified screen is to be formed as a detailed selection item.

[0035] When the transformed green image is displayed in the putting stage, additional information useful for the user's putting can be provided. Referring to FIG. 7, when the transformed green image obtained by transforming the image of the original green area (a part of the entire green is displayed in the "A" portion of FIG. 7) is displayed, the putting guide (PG) is displayed on the transformed green image. The putting guide (PG) provides the user with information on the putting direction that allows the user to successfully make a hole-in, taking into consideration the topographical characteristics of the green area (the inclination direction, the gradient, etc., of the area between the virtual golf ball and the hole cup). For example, the putting guide (PG) can be expressed as an arrow indicating the direction in which the virtual golf ball should be rolled. Since the topographical characteristics of the green area can be more easily grasped in the transformed green image, the user can consider the putting direction according to the topographical characteristics of the green area that the user has grasped without the putting guide (PG), and if the putting guide (PG) is then displayed, the user can verify the validity of the putting direction that the user has determined by comparing the putting direction that the user has determined with the direction of the putting guide (PG). Through the verification process, the user can have an opportunity to train the process of considering a course strategy on his or her own.

[0036] 8, in the image of the modified green area, the putting guide may be displayed on the screen as an animation of the virtual golf ball starting from the current position, moving along a predetermined trajectory, and then going in to the hole, instead of an arrow (or the trajectory of the virtual golf ball may be displayed on a still screen instead of an animation). The trajectory may represent an ideal straight or curved trajectory along which the virtual golf ball rolls when the putt is successful.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 9, in the image of the modified green area, a moving image showing a state where the virtual golf ball starts from the current position and moves along a predetermined trajectory to successfully make a hole-in and a state where the virtual golf ball starts from the current position and moves along a specific trajectory to fail to make a hole-in may be displayed on the screen (or a plurality of virtual golf ball trajectories may be displayed on a still screen instead of a moving image). The trajectory of the failed hole-in may be any direction selected from the directions in which the user often putts, and may be displayed in a single or multiple ways. Since the image of the modified green area allows the user to more easily grasp the topographical characteristics of the green area, the user can understand why the trajectory of the virtual golf ball displayed on the screen is successful in making a hole-in or why it is unsuccessful in making a hole-in, keeping in mind the topographical characteristics of the green area that the user has grasped. Although not shown in the drawing, when the user completes putting, the trajectory of the virtual golf ball corresponding to the user's actual putting and the trajectory of the ideal virtual golf ball that will allow for successful putting may be displayed together, and thus the user can compare the trajectory of the golf ball in the ideal putting with the trajectory of the actual putting.

[0038] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen image for illustrating another method for displaying topographical characteristics of the green area during the putting phase. Referring to Fig. 10, during the putting stage, a virtual golf ball located on the green area and a hole cup as a target point are displayed on the screen. According to this embodiment, a grid (G) consisting of a plurality of horizontal lines (G1) and vertical lines (G2) is displayed on the green area on the screen, and the green area is divided into a plurality of areas by the grid (G). The divided plurality of areas are surrounded by the horizontal lines (G1) and vertical lines (G2) of the grid (G), and according to this embodiment, the topographical characteristics of the green area can be grasped by the horizontal lines (G1) and vertical lines (G2) that form the edges of each of the plurality of areas.

[0039] Referring to the enlarged view of FIG. 10, the edge of one of the multiple divided regions is composed of two horizontal lines (b1, b2) and two vertical lines (b3, b4). In the drawing, the two horizontal lines (b1, b2) are shown with the same hatching, and the two vertical lines (b3, b4) are shown with different hatching. The state of the hatching can indicate the topographical characteristics of the corresponding lines. It is also possible to indicate the same or different state of the lines by using color instead of the hatching. For example, in an image of a green area on a screen, the same hatching can be expressed with the same color, and different hatching can be expressed with different colors. The hatching / color changes depending on the slope of the corresponding area. Thus, a user can understand the topographical characteristics, such as the slope of the green area, through the change in hatching (or color) of the edge of the multiple areas divided by the grid (G). For example, two horizontal lines (b1, b2) displayed with the same hatching (or color) can be understood to have no change in height between the two horizontal lines (b1, b2) in the first direction (D1). Also, two vertical lines (b3, b4) displayed with different hatching (or colors) can be understood to have a slope between the two vertical lines (b3, b4) in the second direction (D2). Specifically, if the left vertical line (b3) is displayed in red and the right vertical line (b4) is displayed in yellow, and the red indicates that the yellow is higher, it can be understood that there is a downward slope as moving in the second direction (D2). In this way, when the horizontal lines (G1) and vertical lines (G2) of the grid (G) are displayed with color (or hatching) for the entire green area, the user can understand the topographical characteristics (e.g., the slope) of the entire green area through the color change of the horizontal lines (G1) and vertical lines (G2).

[0040] In FIG. 10, the state of the horizontal lines (b1, b2) and vertical lines (b3, b4) can be expressed through brightness and / or saturation. For example, in an image of a green area on an actual screen, the same hatching can be expressed with the same brightness of the same color, and different hatching can be expressed with different brightness of the same color. The brightness changes depending on the slope of the corresponding area. Therefore, a user can understand the topographical characteristics such as the slope of the green area through the change in brightness of the edges of the multiple areas divided by the grid (G). For example, in FIG. 10, two horizontal lines (b1, b2) displayed with the same hatching are displayed with the same brightness of the same color, and it can be understood through this that there is no change in height between the two horizontal lines (b1, b2) in the first direction (D1). In addition, the two vertical lines (b3, b4) shown with different hatching in Fig. 10 are shown with different brightness of the same color (here, the two vertical lines (b3, b4) are the same color, and the horizontal lines (b1, b2) are shown with the same or different color as the vertical lines (b3, b4)), and it can be seen that there is a slope between the two vertical lines (b3, b4) in the second direction (D2). Specifically, if the left vertical line (b3) is shown darker and the right vertical line (b4) is shown brighter, it can be seen that there is a downward slope while moving in the second direction (D2), assuming that the dark part is higher than the bright part. In this way, by displaying brightness and / or saturation on the horizontal lines (G1) and vertical lines (G2) of the grid (G) for the entire green area, the user can grasp the topographical characteristics (e.g., slope) of the entire green area through changes in brightness and / or saturation of the horizontal lines (G1) and vertical lines (G2).

[0041] The green area image (also called the "modified green area image" for convenience) showing the color / brightness / saturation changes of the edge of each area divided by the grid (G) may be automatically provided to the user during the putting stage. Alternatively, the modified green area image may be provided depending on the user's selection. In the case where the user's selection is left to the discretion of the user, the user may select whether or not to provide the modified green area image on a menu screen. Also, the selection menu may provide an option for the user to select which element of the change in color / brightness / saturation is to be expressed in the modified green area image. When forming the modified green area image, the menu screen may be configured to allow the user to select details such as changing only one of the color / brightness / saturation at the edge of the grid (G) or changing at least two of the color / brightness / saturation in a complex manner.

[0042] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a virtual golf device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 11, 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) equipped with a kiosk screen, 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. In the virtual golf device according to this embodiment, the computer device 101b can function as the control unit in the above-described embodiment, and can display and provide a modified green area image to a user during the putting stage.

[0043] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a virtual golf system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 12, the virtual golf system according to the present embodiment includes a virtual golf device 100 and a service device 200. The virtual golf device 100 may be any of the virtual golf devices shown in Figures 1 to 11. Thus, like the virtual golf devices in the previous embodiments, the virtual golf device 100 may display a modified green area image during the putting stage and provide it to the user.

[0044] The virtual golf device (100) is installed at 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 at each screen golf course, so that a total of multiple virtual golf devices are provided. The virtual golf device (100) is connected to a service device (200) via a wired or wireless communication network. The service device (200) includes a central server used by a service provider operating multiple screen golf courses to manage the virtual golf devices (100) installed at the multiple screen golf courses.

[0045] When a user who wishes to use a screen golf service first logs in to receive the service, the service device (200) checks the user's identity and determines whether or not to approve the login. For the login operation, the service device (200) is provided with a storage unit (210), which stores information for checking the user's identity. The storage unit (210) can also store information other than the information for checking the user's identity. For example, the storage unit (210) stores the user's play record and / or data required for forming an image of a virtual golf course in the virtual golf device (100). As various information is stored in the storage unit (210) in this manner, a plurality of virtual golf devices (100) connected to the service device (200) by wired and / or wireless communication can use the information stored in the storage unit (210), and each virtual golf device (100) does not need to separately store user information and information required for forming an image of a virtual golf course.

[0046] 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]

[0047] 10: Striking plate 20: Control unit 30: Sensing part 40: Input section 50: Sound section 60: Display section 100: Virtual golf device 200: Service equipment

Claims

1. a display unit that displays an image of a virtual golf course on which a user plays; a storage unit for storing information regarding the virtual golf course; a calculation unit that performs a calculation process of calculating a movement of a virtual golf ball corresponding to the actual golf ball on the virtual golf course based on a state of the actual golf ball when a user hits the actual golf ball; Including, the virtual golf course includes a green area in which a hole cup is located; the information about the virtual golf course includes original data about the green area; During the user's putting step, instead of the original green area image based on the original data, a modified green area image based on modified data obtained by modifying the original data may be displayed. Virtual golf equipment.

2. The virtual golf device of claim 1 , wherein the transformed green area image shows a slope of the green area exaggerated as compared to an original slope.

3. the green area includes a first point having a first height and a second point having a second height; 2. The virtual golf device of claim 1, wherein in the transformed green area image, the distance between the first point and the second point is displayed as L times the distance in the original data (L is a positive number), and the first and second heights are displayed as M1 times the first height in the original data (M1 is a positive number greater than L) and M2 times the second height in the original data (M2 is a positive number greater than L), respectively.

4. The virtual golf device of claim 3 , wherein said M1 is less than or equal to said M2 when said first height is less than said second height.

5. The virtual golf device of claim 3, wherein M1 and M2 can be determined according to a user selection.

6. a display unit that displays an image of a virtual golf course on which a user plays; a calculation unit that performs a calculation process of calculating a movement of a virtual golf ball corresponding to the actual golf ball on the virtual golf course based on a state of the actual golf ball when a user hits the actual golf ball; Including, the virtual golf course includes a green area in which a hole cup is located; In a user's putting step, the green area may be divided into a plurality of areas and displayed, and an edge portion of each of the plurality of areas may be displayed differently from other edge portions due to an inclination of the corresponding portion. Virtual golf equipment.

7. Service equipment, at least one virtual golf device communicatively connected to the service device; Including, The virtual golf machine comprises the virtual golf machine according to claim 1 or 6. Virtual golf system.

Images