Virtual golf device and virtual golf system capable of reproducing striking at slope land

Abstract

To provide a virtual golf device and a virtual golf system capable of reproducing striking at a slope point.SOLUTION: The virtual golf device includes a display part for display a virtual golf course on which a user plays, a detection part for detecting a state of a stricken actual golf ball when the user actually strikes the golf ball, and a calculation part for executing a calculation step for calculating movement of a virtual golf ball corresponding to the actual golf ball in the virtual golf course by using a result detected by the detection part. The calculation step includes a first calculation step for executing the detection result without deformation and a second calculation step for executing the detection result by deforming at least a portion of the detection result, and the calculation part executes the first calculation step or the second calculation step according to the possibility / impossibility of a slope at a point the virtual golf ball is located in the virtual golf course before the user strikes the actual golf ball.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for playing virtual golf, and more particularly to a virtual golf device and a virtual golf system that can reflect the difference between hitting a golf ball on flat ground and on a slope in the playing result in a virtual golf play. [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 screen golf, which allows players to play golf using virtual golf devices, is also becoming more popular. In screen golf, images of a golf course are displayed on a screen, allowing players to experience the reality 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] In real golf, the terrain of a golf course includes flat ground and sloping areas, so the hitting feeling and the hitting result when a user hits a golf ball change depending on where the golf ball is placed. However, in a screen golf course, the hitting plate on which the golf ball is placed and hit is installed on a flat floor, so there is a problem in that it is difficult to experience the difference between hitting on flat ground and hitting on a sloping area in real golf in screen golf. Therefore, there is a need to develop a technology that can reproduce the difference between hitting on flat ground and hitting on a sloping area in virtual golf play such as screen golf. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention has been invented taking into consideration the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a virtual golf device that allows the user to experience the reality of hitting on a slope by calculating the hitting result by reflecting the difference between hitting on flat ground and hitting on a slope. Another object of the present invention is to provide a virtual golf system that allows a user to experience the reality of hitting on a slope by calculating a hitting result that reflects the difference between hitting on flat ground and hitting on a slope. 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 on which a user plays, a detection unit that detects a state of the hit real golf ball when the user hits the real golf ball, and a calculation unit that executes a calculation process that calculates a movement of a virtual golf ball corresponding to the real golf ball on the virtual golf course using a result detected by the detection unit, the calculation process includes a first calculation process that is executed using the detection result without modification and a second calculation process that is executed by modifying at least a part of the detection result, and before the user hits the real golf ball, the calculation unit executes the first calculation process or the second calculation process depending on whether a point where the virtual golf ball is located on the virtual golf course is inclined.

[0006] In the above-mentioned virtual golf device, when the direction in which the user intends to send the virtual golf ball by hitting it is defined as the hitting direction, the slope includes at least one of a side hill slope formed toward the side in the hitting direction and an up-down hill slope formed along the hitting direction.

[0007] In the virtual golf device, parameters indicating the physical state of the actual golf ball hit by the user can be grasped by the sensing operation of the sensing unit, and the parameters include at least one of speed, direction angle, launch angle, and side spin. In the first calculation process, the grasped parameters are used as they are to calculate the movement of the virtual golf ball, and in the second calculation process, at least one of the grasped parameters is modified to calculate the movement of the virtual golf ball.

[0008] The virtual golf device further includes a striking plate on which a user places and hits the real golf ball and has an adjustable inclination, and before the user hits the real golf ball, if a point on the virtual golf course where the virtual golf ball is located is a slope point and the striking plate is inclined corresponding to the slope of the slope point, the calculation unit executes the first calculation process, and if there is a difference between the slope of the striking plate and the slope of the slope point, the calculation unit executes the second calculation process.

[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 on which a user plays, a sensing unit that senses a state of the hit real golf ball when the user hits the real golf ball, and a calculation unit that executes a calculation process that calculates a movement of a virtual golf ball corresponding to the real golf ball on the virtual golf course using a result sensed by the sensing unit, the calculation process including a first calculation process that is executed using the sensing result without modification and a second calculation process that is executed by modifying at least a part of the sensing result, and the calculation unit executes the first calculation process or the second calculation process depending on whether a point where the virtual golf ball is located on the virtual golf course is inclined before the user hits the real golf ball.

[0010] In the above-mentioned virtual golf system, when the direction in which the user intends to send the virtual golf ball by hitting it is defined as the hitting direction, the slope includes at least one of a side hill slope formed toward the side in the hitting direction and an up-down hill slope formed along the hitting direction.

[0011] In the virtual golf system, parameters indicating the physical state of the actual golf ball hit by the user can be grasped by the sensing operation of the sensing unit, and the parameters include at least one of speed, direction angle, launch angle, and side spin. In the first calculation process, the grasped parameters are used as they are to calculate the movement of the virtual golf ball, and in the second calculation process, at least one of the grasped parameters is modified to calculate the movement of the virtual golf ball.

[0012] In the above-mentioned virtual golf system, the virtual golf device further includes a striking plate on which a user places and hits the real golf ball and has an adjustable tilt, and before the user hits the real golf ball, if a point on the virtual golf course where the virtual golf ball is located is a tilt point and the striking plate is tilted corresponding to the tilt of the tilt point, the calculation unit executes the first calculation process, and if there is a difference between the tilt of the striking plate and the tilt of the tilt point, the calculation unit executes the second calculation process. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the virtual golf device and virtual golf system of the present invention, by calculating the hitting result by reflecting the difference between hitting on flat ground and hitting on an incline, the user can experience the reality of hitting on an incline. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [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 showing an example of a screen displayed on the virtual golf device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the virtual golf device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the principles of the first and second calculation processes. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example in which the second calculation process is applied. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example in which the second calculation process is applied. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example in which the second calculation process is applied. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example in which the second calculation process is applied. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example in which the second calculation process is applied. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example in which the second calculation process is applied. [Figure 11] 13 shows an example of a screen shot that notifies the user when the second calculation step is being used. [Figure 12] 13 shows an example of a screen shot that notifies the user when the second calculation step is being used. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a tilting striking plate. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a tilting striking plate. [Figure 15] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating examples of tilt adjustment means. [Figure 16] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating the operating mechanism of the tilt adjustment means. [Figure 17] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating the operating mechanism of the tilt adjustment means. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of using the second calculation process while using a tilting striking plate. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a virtual golf device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] 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

[0015] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to 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 examples described herein, and may be embodied in other forms. The examples presented herein are provided so that the disclosed content will be thorough and complete, and so that the concept of the present invention will be fully conveyed to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited by the following examples.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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).

[0019] The striking plate 10 is an 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 a 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 struck is placed, and the striking mat is provided with an auto tee that is structured to be movable up and down. A golf ball to be struck can be automatically provided to the user through the auto tee.

[0020] 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 a 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] The virtual golf device is a device that is installed in 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 (or the sensor unit (30) can also function as obtaining information for grasping the physical state). 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 based on the transmitted information. When the movement and trajectory of the golf ball are calculated in the calculation process, the image unit (22) forms an image of the virtual golf ball moving according to the trajectory calculated in the calculation process, and the image is transmitted to the display unit (60) and displayed on the screen. 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 hit from the point where the virtual golf ball landed. The above operation process is repeated for the user's next hit.

[0026] 2 and 3 are diagrams showing examples of images displayed on the screen of the virtual golf device of FIG. The points where a golf ball lands on an actual golf course are terrains with various attributes such as fairways, roughs, bunkers, etc., and most virtual golf courses displayed on the screen of a virtual golf device are modeled after golf courses on actual golf grounds, so that the screen displays terrains with various attributes such as virtual fairways, virtual roughs, virtual bunkers, etc. Also, the points where a golf ball lands on an actual golf course are flat ground or sloping points, and the virtual golf ball displayed on the screen also lands on flat ground or sloping points. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the virtual golf ball (VB) may land on a flat point on the virtual golf course, or as shown in FIG. 3, the virtual golf ball (VB) may land on a sloping point on the virtual golf course.

[0027] In real golf, if the landing point is flat or on a slope, the user hits a flat or on a slope at the landing point. However, in a screen golf course where a virtual golf device is installed, the hitting plate on which the golf ball to be hit is placed is always flat, so it is difficult to feel the impact sensation when hitting on a slope. In consideration of this problem, the virtual golf device according to the present embodiment is configured to include a first calculation process and a second calculation process, which are different calculation processes, and to execute the first calculation process or the second calculation process depending on whether the point where the virtual golf ball is located is on a slope, so that the difference in hitting is reflected when the virtual golf ball in the screen is located on flat ground and when it is located on a slope.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the principles of the first and second calculation processes, and FIGS. 5 to 10 are diagrams showing several examples in which the second calculation process is applied. Before the user hits the golf ball, the control unit (20) (or the calculation unit (21)) determines whether the point where the virtual golf ball is located on the virtual golf course before the hit is flat or on a slope. Since the virtual golf ball moves according to the calculation result by the calculation unit (21), the position of the virtual golf ball on the virtual golf course can be determined by the control unit (20), and since data of the virtual golf course currently played by the user is stored in the storage unit (23), it is possible to determine whether the current position of the virtual golf ball is on flat or on a slope by using the position of the virtual golf ball and the data of the virtual golf course. If the virtual golf ball is located on flat ground, a first calculation process is performed when calculating the trajectory of the golf ball hit by the user, and if the virtual golf ball is located on a slope, a second calculation process is performed when calculating the trajectory of the golf ball hit by the user.

[0029] Various methods can be applied to the calculation process, one of which is to grasp parameter values ​​indicating the physical state of the golf ball after hitting and apply a calculation model using physical laws to the parameter values ​​to calculate the trajectory. Referring to FIG. 4, the calculation unit 21 of the control unit 20 can perform the calculation process using parameter values ​​such as the speed (V) of the golf ball, the direction (φ) indicating the direction on the horizontal plane of the golf ball that flies when 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, based on the information sensed by the sensing unit 30. Here, the spin (S) is composed of multiple components depending on its direction, and in particular, there are a side spin that indicates a left-right component with respect to the traveling direction of the golf ball and a back spin that indicates a component in the opposite direction to the traveling direction, which have an effect on the trajectory of the golf ball. Although not shown in the drawing, it is also possible to sense not only the physical state of the golf ball when the user hits the golf ball but also the movement of the golf club at the time of hitting the golf ball, and to calculate the trajectory of the golf ball using the information sensed about the golf club.

[0030] In the first calculation step, it is assumed that the golf ball has a first velocity (V1), a first direction angle (φ1), a first launch angle (θ1), and a first spin (S1), and a calculation model using physical laws is applied to calculate a first trajectory (T1). In the second calculation step, it is assumed that the golf ball has a second velocity (V2), a second direction angle (φ2), a second launch angle (θ2), and a second spin (S2), and a calculation model using physical laws is applied to calculate a second trajectory (T2).

[0031] Here, the first velocity (V1), the first direction angle (φ1), the first launch angle (θ1), and the first spin (S1) are obtained by sensing the physical state of the hit golf ball, while the second velocity (V2), the second direction angle (φ2), the second launch angle (θ2), and the second spin (S2) are obtained by modifying at least a part of the parameters obtained by sensing the physical state of the hit golf ball. That is, in the first calculation process, the movement of the virtual golf ball is calculated by directly using the parameters of the physical state of the golf ball grasped through the sensing unit (30), and in the second calculation process, the movement of the virtual golf ball is calculated by modifying at least one of the parameters of the physical state of the golf ball grasped through the sensing unit (30). Here, the velocity, direction angle, launch angle, and spin are mentioned as parameters indicating the physical state of the golf ball used in the calculation process, but these are mentioned as examples. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform the calculation process using only the velocity, direction angle, launch angle, and spin. For example, the calculation process may be performed using only some of the velocity, direction angle, launch angle, and spin, or may be performed using other parameters. In the second calculation process, all parameters used in the calculation process may be transformed to calculate the trajectory of the golf ball, or only some of the parameters used in the calculation process may be transformed to calculate the trajectory of the golf ball. For example, if the parameters of the velocity, direction angle, launch angle, and spin are used in the calculation process, the second calculation process may calculate the trajectory by transforming all of the sensed velocity, direction angle, launch angle, and spin, or only some of the sensed velocity, direction angle, launch angle, and spin (e.g., direction angle, launch angle, spin) may be transformed to calculate the trajectory.

[0032] In the following, some specific examples to which the second calculation process is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. There are various situations where the virtual golf ball on the screen is placed on a sloping point. For convenience of explanation, the situations shown in Figures 5 to 8 are named as the first to fourth situations, respectively, and the direction in which the user hits the virtual golf ball on the screen is named the hitting direction.

[0033] 5 and 6, the first and second situations show a case where the virtual golf ball is placed at an inclined point where the horizontal plane and the inclined plane are inclined by an inclination angle (α), and the inclination of the inclined point in the first and second situations is formed to the side of the hitting direction (hereinafter, the inclination of the same situation as the first and second situations is named "side hill inclination"). In the first situation, the user is located at a point with a lower inclination than the virtual golf ball, and in the second situation, the user is located at a point with a higher inclination than the virtual golf ball.

[0034] 7 and 8, the third and fourth situations show a case where a virtual golf ball is placed at an inclined point where the horizontal plane and the inclined plane are inclined by an inclination angle (α), and the inclination of the inclined point in the third and fourth situations is formed along the hitting direction (hereinafter, the inclination in the same situation as the third and fourth situations is named "up-downhill inclination"). In the third situation, an uphill inclination is formed along the hitting direction, and in the fourth situation, a downhill inclination is formed along the hitting direction.

[0035] In actual golf, when the first to fourth situations occur, the trajectory of the golf ball hit by the user can be affected due to the inclination. Specifically, the trajectory and / or the quality of the hit golf ball can be affected. The trajectory depends on the state of the face of the golf club when impacting the golf ball, and in the first and second situations, the inclination is formed in the opposite direction (inclination angle: +α / -α) or the inclination acts to reduce the trajectory of the golf ball regardless of the inclination direction. In the third situation, the face of the golf club acts to lift the golf ball higher when impacting the golf ball due to the uphill inclination, and in the fourth situation, the face of the golf club acts to lift the golf ball lower when impacting the golf ball due to the downhill inclination. In relation to the quality of the golf ball, when hitting at an inclined point, a hook (meaning a quality of the ball that curves left when viewed from the front as a right-handed user) or a slice (meaning a quality of the ball that curves right when viewed from the front as a right-handed user) is more likely to occur than when hitting on flat ground. For example, situations 1 and 3 often result in hooks, while situations 2 and 4 often result in slices.

[0036] In the second calculation process, the launch angle (θ), which is considered to be most related to the trajectory among the parameters (e.g., velocity (V), direction angle (φ), launch angle (θ), spin (S), etc.) indicating the physical state of the actual golf ball hit by the user, may be modified to perform the calculation process, taking into consideration factors such as the inclination affecting the trajectory. For example, the launch angle (θ) of the golf ball sensed by the sensing unit (30) may be modified to a second launch angle (θ2=θ+Δθ), and then the calculation process based on the second launch angle (θ2) may be performed. Here, the modification amount (Δθ) of the launch angle is an increase in the third situation where a positive factor occurs in the trajectory, and is a decrease in the first, second, and fourth situations where a negative factor occurs in the trajectory.

[0037] In addition, in the second calculation process, the calculation process may be performed after modifying the direction angle (φ) and / or spin (S) that may be most related to the ball quality such as hook or slice among the parameters (e.g., velocity (V), direction angle (φ), launch angle (θ), spin (S), etc.) indicating the physical state of the actual golf ball hit by the user, taking into consideration factors such as the inclination affecting the ball quality. For example, the direction angle (φ) of the golf ball sensed by the sensing unit 30 is transformed into a second direction angle (φ2=φ+Δφ), and then the calculation process based on the second direction angle (φ2) is performed. Here, the change in the direction angle (Δφ) is an increase from the front to the left in the first and third situations in which a hook may occur, and an increase from the front to the right in the second and fourth situations in which a slice may occur. In addition, the spin (S) of the golf ball sensed by the sensing unit (30) is transformed into a second spin (S2=S+ΔS), and a calculation process based on the second spin (S2) is then performed (the spin is divided into three components in a three-dimensional space, and among the three components, hooks and slices are mainly affected by side spin, so when the spin is transformed, the spin mainly means side spin). Here, the spin transformation amount (ΔS) is an increase in side spin to the left in the first and third situations where a hook may occur, and an increase in side spin to the right in the second and fourth situations where a slice may occur. In the second calculation process, when the calculation process is performed after transforming the direction angle (φ) and spin (S; mainly meaning side spin) in consideration of the influence on the ball quality such as a hook or slice, both the direction angle (φ) and spin (S) can be transformed, or only one of the direction angle (φ) and spin (S) can be transformed.

[0038] 9, when comparing a trajectory (T0) when the first calculation process is performed in a situation where the virtual golf ball (VB) on the screen is placed on flat ground with trajectories (T1, T2) when the second calculation process is performed in the first and second situations (assuming that the original physical states of the golf ball hit by the user immediately after hitting are all the same at T0, T1, and T2), the trajectory (T0) on flat ground is a straight ball quality to the front, whereas the trajectory (T1) when the second calculation process is performed in the first situation has a lower trajectory compared to the trajectory (T0) on flat ground, a hook occurs, and a path that curves to the left. Also, the trajectory (T2) when the second calculation process is performed in the second situation has a lower trajectory compared to the trajectory (T0) on flat ground, a slice occurs, and a path that curves to the right.

[0039] 10, when comparing a trajectory (T0) when the first calculation process is performed in a situation where the virtual golf ball (VB) on the screen is placed on flat ground with trajectories (T3, T4) when the second calculation process is performed in the third and fourth situations (assuming that the original physical states of the golf ball hit by the user immediately after hitting are all the same at T0, T3, and T4), the trajectory (T3) when the second calculation process is performed in the third situation has a higher trajectory and a curved path to the left with a hook compared to the trajectory (T0) on flat ground, and the trajectory (T4) when the second calculation process is performed in the fourth situation has a lower trajectory and a curved path to the right with a slice compared to the trajectory (T0) on flat ground.

[0040] The second calculation process that can be applied when the virtual golf ball in the screen is on a side-hill slope (first and second situations) and an up-downhill slope (third and fourth situations) has been described above, but the above description can also be applied when the virtual golf ball in the screen is on any slope where a side-hill slope and an up-downhill slope are combined, rather than a side-hill slope or an up-downhill slope. For example, if the virtual golf ball in the screen is on a slope point and the slope has any direction and angle, the slope can be divided into a side-hill slope direction component and an up-downhill slope direction component. Therefore, for the side-hill slope direction component, the parameter value transformation according to the side-hill slope can be applied as described above, and for the up-downhill slope direction component, the parameter value transformation according to the up-downhill slope can be applied as described above. The transformation using the side-hill slope direction component and the transformation using the up-downhill slope direction component are combined to calculate a final transformation, and the trajectory of the virtual golf ball can be calculated using the final transformation.

[0041] For example, the original physical state of the golf ball hit by the user is defined as the original state (velocity (V0), direction angle (φ0), launch angle (θ0), spin (S0), etc.), the deformation due to the side-hill slope directional component of the slope is defined as the side-hill deformation (velocity (ΔVa), direction angle (Δφa), launch angle (Δθa), spin (ΔSa), etc.; here, some of ΔVa, Δφa, Δθa, and ΔSa may be 0, and if ΔVa, Δφa, Δθa, and ΔSa are all 0, this means that there is no slope in the side-hill slope direction), and the deformation due to the up-downhill slope directional component of the slope is defined as the up-downhill deformation (velocity (ΔVb), direction angle (Δφb), launch angle (Δθb), spin (ΔSb), etc.; here, ΔVb, Δφb, Δ (Some of θb and ΔSb may be 0, and if ΔVb, Δφb, Δθb, and ΔSb are all 0, this means that there is no slope in the uphill or downhill slope direction.) Then, the final deformation (speed (ΔVf=ΔVa+ΔVb), direction angle (Δφf=Δφa+Δφb), launch angle (Δθf=Δθa+Δθb), spin (ΔSf=ΔSa+ΔSb), etc.) can be calculated from the deformation due to the sidehill slope direction component of the slope and the deformation due to the uphill and downhill slope direction component of the slope. This can then be applied to the original state (speed (V0+ΔVf), direction angle (φ0+Δφf), launch angle (θ0+Δθf), spin (S0+ΔSf), etc.), and the trajectory of the virtual golf ball can be calculated based on the applied values.

[0042] The above has described the second calculation process in which the parameter values ​​indicating the physical state of the golf ball hit by the user are modified when the virtual golf ball on the screen is at a tilt point, and then a trajectory is calculated based on the modified values. However, this is only one example of a method for deriving a hitting result by reflecting the tilt, and there may be other methods not described here.

[0043] 11 and 12 show an example of a screen shot that notifies the user when the second calculation step is being used. 11 and 12, when the second calculation process is applied, the user can be informed that the hitting result displayed on the screen may differ from the actual hitting result of the user by displaying the information on the screen. When the tilt effect at a sloping point is reflected, the ball quality that would be a straight shot on flat ground may become a slice or hook, so that the golf ball may fly in an unintended direction from the user's point of view, and thus a kind of penalty may be given. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, when a golf ball is hit at a sloping point, the screen may display guidance information to the effect that the ball may become a hook due to the penalty effect of the sloping point. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 12, a caddy may be displayed on the screen as in real golf, and the user can be informed that a penalty effect may occur at a sloping point through the caddy's comments.

[0044] A hitting plate capable of adjusting the inclination may be used as a hitting plate used in the virtual golf device, and the second calculation process described above may be applied even when such a hitting plate capable of adjusting the inclination is used.

[0045] 13 and 14 are schematic diagrams of a tilting striking plate, FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the tilt adjusting means, and FIGS. 16 and 17 are diagrams explaining the operation mechanism of the tilt adjusting means.

[0046] Referring to Fig. 13, the tilting striking plate includes a plate body (1) and a tilt adjustment means (2). The plate body (1) is the portion where a user stands and / or a golf ball is placed. The tilt adjustment means (2) functions to adjust the plate body (1) to have a tilt. As shown in Fig. 14, the plate body (1) is tilted at a predetermined angle by the tilt adjustment means (2), so that a user can hit a golf ball placed thereon with the plate body (1) tilted.

[0047] 15, the tilt adjustment means (2) is disposed under the plate body 1. The tilt adjustment means (2) includes a central body (2a), a plurality of actuators (2b) coupled to the four sides of the central body (2a), a plurality of link boxes (2c) coupled to the actuators (2b), a first movement mechanism (L1) connecting between the actuators (2b) and the link boxes (2c), and a second movement mechanism (L2) coupled to the link boxes (2c).

[0048] When the tilt adjustment means (2) operates, the actuator (2b) is driven, and the first motion mechanism (L1) performs linear motion. The motion of the first motion mechanism (L1) is converted and transmitted to the second motion mechanism (L2) via the link box (2c), and the second motion mechanism (L2) can move in various height directions. This allows the plate body (1) to have tilt in various directions. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, when the first motion mechanism (L1) connected to the right actuator (2b) moves linearly to the right, the second motion mechanism (L2) raises the right part of the plate body (1) upward, and when the first motion mechanism (L1) connected to the left actuator (2b) moves linearly to the right, the second motion mechanism (L2) lowers the left part of the plate body (1) downward, and as a result, the plate body (1) is tilted in a state in which the right side is high and the left side is low. As shown in FIG. 17, when the first motion mechanism (L1) connected to the left actuator (2b) moves linearly to the left, the second motion mechanism (L2) raises the left portion of the plate body (1) upward, and when the first motion mechanism (L1) connected to the right actuator (2b) moves linearly to the left, the second motion mechanism (L2) lowers the right portion of the plate body (1) downward, so that the plate body (1) tilts with the left side higher and the right side lower.

[0049] By using the tilt adjustment means (2) having such a structure, the direction and degree of tilt of the plate body (1) can be adjusted by appropriately controlling the operation of each of the multiple actuators (2b). Here, the tilt adjustment means (2) illustrated in Figures 15 to 17 shows only a schematic structure, and in reality, detailed configurations other than the central body (2a), multiple actuators (2b), multiple link boxes (2c), first motion mechanism (L1), and second motion mechanism (L2) are further added. Note that the structure of the tilt adjustment means (2) has been described only as an example, and tilt adjustment means having a structure different from that described here may be used.

[0050] When the above-mentioned tilt-adjustable striking plate is used, when the golf ball in the screen is located at the tilt point, the tilt of the striking plate is adjusted to form the same tilt as the tilt in the screen, and then the user can strike the golf ball. In this case, the state of the actual golf ball placed on the striking plate can be made the same as the state of the virtual golf ball on the screen, so that the above-mentioned first calculation process, which uses the actual physical state of the struck golf ball without modifying it, can be applied to the calculation process of calculating the trajectory of the golf ball. Also, even when the tilt-adjustable striking plate is used, there may be cases where it is inappropriate to use only the first calculation process, and in such cases, the above-mentioned second calculation process can be applied.

[0051] FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining an example of using the second calculation process while using an inclined striking plate. 18, there may be a difference between the inclination angle (β) of the virtual golf course where the virtual golf ball in the screen is placed and the inclination angle (γ) formed by the striking plate. For example, due to the internal structure of the inclination adjustment means, there may be a limit to the inclination angle that the inclination adjustment means can realize, and the inclination of the point where the virtual golf ball is located on the screen may exceed the maximum inclination degree that can be realized by the inclination adjustment means. Alternatively, if the inclination angle of the striking plate exceeds a certain critical angle, the golf ball may not be placed on the striking plate and may roll down from the striking plate, and if the virtual golf ball on the screen is located at a point on the inclination of the striking plate at an angle where the golf ball can roll down from the striking plate (even though the virtual golf ball is at a large inclination, it is possible that the golf ball will not roll down from the inclination point due to frictional force such as long grass on the virtual golf course), the striking plate must be inclined within a range where the golf ball does not roll down, and a difference will occur between the inclination of the point where the virtual golf ball in the screen is placed and the inclination of the striking plate.

[0052] As described above, when there is a difference between the inclination angle (β) of the point where the virtual golf ball is placed on the screen and the inclination angle (γ) formed by the striking plate, the second calculation process may be applied to a portion corresponding to the inclination angle difference (β-γ). For example, when a user hits a golf ball placed on a striking plate inclined by the inclination angle (γ), the second calculation process may be applied to change (θ'=θ+Δθ) the launch angle (θ) among the parameters of the physical state (velocity (V), direction angle (φ), launch angle (θ), spin (S), etc.) of the golf ball hit by the user to reflect the inclination angle difference (β-γ), and then a calculation process may be performed based on the changed launch angle (θ').

[0053] Alternatively, although not shown in the drawings, there may be a difference between the inclination direction of the point where the virtual golf ball is placed in the screen and the inclination direction formed by the striking plate. This is because the inclination on the golf course is formed in various and complex directions, and when artificially forming an inclination with the striking plate, it is difficult to reproduce the inclination in various and complex directions as in the real golf course due to technical problems. In this way, when there is a difference between the inclination direction of the point where the virtual golf ball is located in the screen and the inclination direction formed by the striking plate on which the real golf ball is placed, a second calculation process can be applied to compensate for the difference in the inclination direction. For example, the calculation process can be performed based on the transformed launch angle (φ′) after the direction angle (φ) is transformed (φ′=φ+Δφ) to reflect the difference in the inclination direction among the parameters of the physical state (velocity (V), direction angle (φ), launch angle (θ), spin (S), etc.) indicated by the golf ball hit by the user.

[0054] If there is a difference between the inclination angle / tilt direction of the point where the virtual golf ball is placed in the screen and the inclination angle / tilt direction formed by the striking plate (whether there is a difference between the inclination angle / tilt direction of the screen and the striking plate can be determined by the control unit, etc.), the second calculation process can be applied by using both the process of reflecting the difference in the inclination angle and the process of reflecting the difference in the inclination direction described above.

[0055] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a virtual golf device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 19, 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) including a kiosk screen, and a screen (101c), and the other booths (102, 103) also include 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-mentioned embodiment, and can therefore use the first calculation process / second calculation process in the calculation process for calculating the trajectory of the golf ball.

[0056] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a virtual golf system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 20, the virtual golf system 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 Figs. 1 to 19. Therefore, the virtual golf device 100 may use the first calculation process / second calculation process in the calculation process for calculating the trajectory of a golf ball, similar to the virtual golf device in the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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. For the login operation, the service device (200) is provided with a storage unit (210), which stores information for confirming the user's identity. The storage unit (210) also stores other information in addition to the information for confirming the user's identity. For example, the storage unit (210) can store the user's play record, data required for forming an image of a virtual golf course in the virtual golf device (100), etc.

[0059] 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) 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 data required to form an image of a virtual golf course.

[0060] 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]

[0061] 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 a virtual golf course on which a user plays; a sensor for sensing a state of the hit real golf ball when a user hits the real golf ball; 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 using the result sensed by the sensing unit; Including, the calculation step includes a first calculation step performed by using the sensing result without modification, and a second calculation step performed by modifying at least a part of the sensing result, Before a user hits the real golf ball, the calculation unit executes the first calculation step or the second calculation step depending on whether a point where the virtual golf ball is located on the virtual golf course has a slope. Virtual golf equipment.

2. 2. The virtual golf device according to claim 1, wherein when a direction in which a user intends to send the virtual golf ball by hitting the ball is defined as a hitting direction, the slope includes at least one of a side hill slope formed toward the side of the hitting direction and an up-down hill slope formed along the hitting direction.

3. A parameter indicating a physical state of the actual golf ball hit by a user may be obtained by the sensing operation of the sensing unit, the parameter including at least one of a speed, a direction angle, a launch angle, and a side spin; 2. The virtual golf device according to claim 1, wherein in the first calculation step, the movement of the virtual golf ball is calculated using the determined parameters as they are, and in the second calculation step, the movement of the virtual golf ball is calculated by modifying at least one of the determined parameters.

4. a striking plate on which a user places and strikes the actual golf ball and which is tilt adjustable; 2. The virtual golf device of claim 1, wherein the calculation unit executes the first calculation process when a point on the virtual golf course where the virtual golf ball is located is a slope point and the striking plate is inclined corresponding to the slope of the slope point before the user hits the actual golf ball, and the calculation unit executes the second calculation process when there is a difference between the slope of the striking plate and the slope of the slope point.

5. Service equipment, 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 on which a user plays, a sensor unit that senses a state of a hit real golf ball when the user hits the real golf ball, and a calculator that executes a calculation process that calculates a movement of a virtual golf ball corresponding to the real golf ball on the virtual golf course using a result sensed by the sensor unit, the calculation step includes a first calculation step performed by using the sensing result without modification, and a second calculation step performed by modifying at least a part of the sensing result, Before a user hits the real golf ball, the calculation unit executes the first calculation step or the second calculation step depending on whether a point where the virtual golf ball is located on the virtual golf course has a slope. Virtual golf system.

6. 6. The virtual golf system of claim 5, wherein when the direction in which the user intends to send the virtual golf ball by hitting it is defined as the hitting direction, the slope includes at least one of a side hill slope formed toward the side in the hitting direction and an up-down hill slope formed along the hitting direction.

7. A parameter indicating a physical state of the actual golf ball hit by a user may be obtained by the sensing operation of the sensing unit, the parameter including at least one of a speed, a direction angle, a launch angle, and a side spin; 6. The virtual golf system according to claim 5, wherein in the first calculation step, the movement of the virtual golf ball is calculated using the determined parameters as they are, and in the second calculation step, the movement of the virtual golf ball is calculated by modifying at least one of the determined parameters.

8. the virtual golf device further includes a tilt-adjustable striking plate on which a user places and strikes the real golf ball; 6. The virtual golf system of claim 5, wherein the calculation unit executes the first calculation process when, before a user hits the actual golf ball, a point on the virtual golf course where the virtual golf ball is located is a slope point and the striking plate is inclined corresponding to the slope of the slope point, and the calculation unit executes the second calculation process when there is a difference between the slope of the striking plate and the slope of the slope point.

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