Virtual golf device and virtual golf system for setting sound of user

Abstract

To provide a virtual golf device and a virtual golf system for setting a sound of a user.SOLUTION: The virtual golf device includes: a display unit for displaying a virtual golf course on which a user plays; a calculation unit for performing a calculation process of calculating a movement of a virtual golf ball corresponding to an actual golf ball in the virtual golf course on the basis of a state of the actual golf ball hit by the user; and a sound setting unit for setting a sound; wherein the sound may be set differently for each of a plurality of users.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a virtual golf device and a virtual golf system, and more particularly, to a virtual golf device and a virtual golf system that enable a user to set options for sounds in virtual golf play or automatically set the optimal sound options for the user.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, as the popularity of golf has been increasing, the number of people playing golf has been rising. Golf can be played not only on outdoor golf courses but also on screen golf using virtual golf devices, etc., and the popularity of screen golf is also increasing. In screen golf, since the video of the golf course is displayed via a screen, users can experience the reality as if they were playing an actual game outdoors. Also, compared to playing a game on an outdoor field, time and cost are saved, so screen golf is popular among modern people who find it difficult to play on an outdoor field for reasons such as time and economic reasons.

[0003] While the number of people using screen golf is increasing, the expectations of users for screen golf are rising. When comparing screen golf with actual golf, screen golf has the advantage of being able to provide users with technical services that are difficult to provide in actual golf played in an open outdoor space due to its characteristics of being serviced in a closed indoor space. Therefore, it is necessary to utilize the advantages unique to screen golf to provide various technical services in order to facilitate the user in virtual golf play.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present invention has been invented in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a virtual golf device configured to be able to optimally set the sound in virtual golf play for the user. Another object of the present invention is to provide a virtual golf system configured to be able to optimally set the sound in virtual golf play for the user. Another object of the present invention can be clearly understood from the following description and the attached drawings.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, a virtual golf apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a display unit that displays a virtual golf course on which a user plays, a calculation unit that executes a calculation process for calculating the movement of a virtual golf ball corresponding to the actual golf ball on the virtual golf course based on the state of the actual golf ball hit by the user, and a sound setting unit for sound setting, and the sound can be set to be different for each of a plurality of users.

[0006] In the virtual golf apparatus, the sound setting unit can recommend a sound selectable by the user or automatically set a specific sound for the user. In the virtual golf apparatus, the sound setting unit can recommend a sound to the user or automatically set a specific sound for the user according to the personal profile information of the user and / or the current play progress status of the user.

[0007] In the virtual golf apparatus, the personal profile information of the user includes at least one of gender and age. In the virtual golf apparatus, the users include a different first user and second user, and a first sound of a first frequency can be set for the first user, and a second sound of a second frequency can be set for the second user. In the virtual golf apparatus, the sound includes at least one of a sound generated during play and a voice message.

[0008] The virtual golf system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a service device and at least one or more virtual golf devices communicatively connected to the service device. The virtual golf device includes a display unit that displays a virtual golf course on which a user plays, and a calculation unit that executes a calculation process for calculating the movement of a virtual golf ball corresponding to the actual golf ball on the virtual golf course based on the state of the actual golf ball hit by the user. The service device or the virtual golf device is provided with a sound setting unit for sound setting, and the sound can be set to be different for each of a plurality of users.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the virtual golf device and the virtual golf system of the present invention, the sound in virtual golf play such as screen golf can be optimally set for the user, thereby having the effect of facilitating the user.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments. The object, features, and advantages of the present invention will be easily understood from the following embodiments. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein and can be embodied in other forms. The embodiments introduced here are provided so that the disclosed content is thorough and complete, and that the idea of the present invention is sufficiently conveyed to those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention pertains. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited by the following embodiments.

[0012] In this specification, terms such as first and second 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 it is mentioned that a certain layer (film) is on another layer (film) or a substrate, it means that it can be formed directly on the other layer (film) or substrate, or a third layer (film) can be interposed therebetween.

[0013] In the drawings, the size of elements or the relative size between elements can be exaggerated somewhat for a clearer understanding of the present invention. Also, the shape of the illustrated elements may be somewhat changed due to variations in the manufacturing process or the like. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in this specification should not be limited to the illustrated shapes unless otherwise specified, and should be understood to include a certain degree of deformation.

[0014] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a virtual golf device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 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).

[0015] The hitting plate (10) is an area where a user positions to hit a golf ball. The hitting plate (10) may be composed of a separately provided plate-like object, or may be composed of a part where the user is located as the floor of the place where the virtual golf device is installed instead of a separate object. Although not shown in the drawings, the hitting plate (10) is provided with a hitting mat on which a golf ball for hitting is placed, and an auto tee having a structure that can move up and down is provided on the hitting mat. A golf ball for hitting can be automatically provided to the user through the auto tee.

[0016] The control unit (20) controls the overall operation among the components of the virtual golf device. For example, the control unit (20) controls the auto-tee provided on the hitting mat so that the auto-tee operates to provide a golf ball for hitting in accordance with the timing when the user hits. Specifically, immediately after the user hits the golf ball placed on the hitting mat, the control unit (20) recognizes that the hitting has been performed, and can control the auto-tee so that the auto-tee provides a golf ball for the next hit. The control unit (20) includes a calculation unit (21), a video unit (22), a sound setting unit (23), and a storage unit (24) (it is also possible to configure the calculation unit (21), the video unit (22), the sound setting unit (23), the storage unit (24), etc. to be separately provided independently of the control unit (20)). The calculation unit (21) performs a calculation process of calculating a trajectory when it is assumed that the golf ball moves in the golf course where the golf ball is currently playing in the physical state based on the physical state of the golf ball hit by the user, etc. The video unit (22) plays a role of forming a video to be displayed on the display unit (60). For example, when the user selects a specific golf course, the video unit (22) forms a video of the golf course selected by the user, and the above video is transmitted to the display unit (60) and displayed. The sound setting unit (23) performs operations related to setting the sounds generated during play, and the detailed operations related to sound setting will be described later. The storage unit (24) includes a storage device such as a memory or a hard disk, and stores various programs and / or data necessary for the operations of the control unit (20) / calculation unit (21) / video unit (22) / sound setting unit (23), etc. For example, when the video unit (22) forms a video of a golf course, the storage unit (24) stores information related to the golf course necessary for forming the video. The storage unit (24) 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) is for sensing the movement of the golf club and / or the movement of the golf ball struck by the user during the hitting of the golf ball, etc., in order to grasp the information necessary for the calculation process. As the sensing unit (30), sensing means such as a camera capable of photographing the movement of the golf club or the golf ball, or a sensing sensor having a sensing function can be used. Various sensing methods such as image sensing, light emission / reception sensing, laser sensing, and radar sensing can be applied to the sensing means, and the state information of the golf club or the golf ball struck by the user can be grasped by such sensing methods. The camera, sensing sensor, etc. can be used alone or together, and only one or a plurality of them can be used. 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 and commands from the user, and a keyboard, mouse, touch screen, etc. can be used as input devices. When the user needs to first log in to use the virtual golf device and enters their own ID and password for logging in, or when the user selects the golf course they want to play, the play difficulty level, etc., the input unit (40) is used.

[0019] The sound unit (50) includes acoustic devices such as speakers, and through this, it guides the user about the progress of the game and reproduces various sound effects 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 the golf ball 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) can further include a display device such as a kiosk that serves as an auxiliary display in addition to the screen.

[0020] In this specification, when expressing some objects displayed on the screen, the term "virtual" may be attached. This is for the purpose of avoiding confusion with objects existing in the real world, meaning that they do not exist in the real world but are displayed in the screen image. For example, "virtual golf course" means a golf course displayed on the screen, and "virtual golf ball" means a golf ball displayed on the screen.

[0021] A virtual golf device is a device installed in a screen golf course or the like that enables a user to play screen golf. The operation process of the virtual golf device when the user plays screen golf is as follows. When the user strikes a golf ball, the sensing unit (30) senses parameters indicating the state of the golf ball, such as the movement of the golf club and the moving speed / direction of the golf ball struck by the user (or the sensing unit (30) only plays the role of obtaining basic information for grasping the above parameters, and the control unit (20) and the calculation unit (21) are configured to grasp the actual parameter values based on the above basic information). The information sensed by the sensing 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, trajectory, etc. of the golf ball are calculated in the calculation process, the video unit (22) forms an image of the virtual golf ball moving along the trajectory calculated in the calculation process, and the said image is transmitted to the display unit (60) and displayed on the screen. At this time, the virtual golf ball lands at a specific point on the virtual golf course displayed on the screen after moving according to the calculated trajectory, and the user continues the next strike from the point where the virtual golf ball lands. In the user's next strike, the above operation process is repeated.

[0022] In the virtual golf device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the sounds generated during play can be set in various ways. Hereinafter, the operations related to sound setting will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for setting various play environments. Referring to FIG. 2, in screen golf play, a user can set various play environments as desired on the menu screen of the screen. For example, as play environments, the hole cup position, green speed, sound, mulligan count, concede range, etc. can be selected. The hole cup position is an option for selecting so that the hole cup can be moved to various positions such as the center or edge of the green area, and the green speed is an option for enabling adjustment of the speed at which the golf ball rolls on the green. Mulligan means that an opportunity to cancel a missed shot and take another shot is given. If the mulligan is set to 3 times, the user can cancel the worst shot up to 3 times during play and then take another shot. Concede means that if the putted golf ball is within a certain distance from the hole cup, it is recognized as a successful hole-in. If the concede is set to 1.5 m, a golf ball located within a radius of 1.5 m from the hole cup is considered to have entered the hole cup after adding one stroke to the score. In this way, the user can set their own personal environment, and although not shown in the drawing, the control unit (20) may include components such as a setting unit for performing operations related to the above-described play environment setting. Among the items that can be set in the play environment is sound, and operations related to sound setting can be processed by the sound setting unit (23). For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the user can select any one of a plurality of sounds (Sound 1, Sound 2, Sound 3), and the sound setting unit (23) transmits the selected sound to the sound unit (50) so that the corresponding sound is generated during the user's play.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, a menu screen for sound settings may be provided with a button for executing pre - listening (for example, an icon in the form of sound waves spreading is shown in FIG. 2). For example, assuming that a desired sound can be selected from Sound 1, Sound 2, and Sound 3 through the sound menu, buttons for executing pre - listening are provided inside each selection box for Sound 1, Sound 2, and Sound 3. The user can click each button to preview what kind of sound the corresponding sound makes.

[0025] FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrams for explaining an example in which sound settings are applied during a golf play. Referring to FIG. 3, when a user hits a golf ball placed on a hitting mat, the trajectory of the golf ball is calculated based on the movement of the golf club and / or the physical state of the hit golf ball, etc. On the screen, a virtual golf ball corresponding to the hit golf ball moves along the calculated trajectory and a video is displayed. The video of the virtual golf ball includes scenes where the virtual golf ball flies, the scene where the flying virtual golf ball falls and collides with the virtual golf course, the scene where the virtual golf ball rolls on the floor of the virtual golf course after falling, etc. In these scenes, sounds such as the sound of the virtual golf ball flying, the sound of the virtual golf ball falling and colliding with the virtual golf course, the sound of the virtual golf ball rolling on the floor can be made. Such sounds are provided by the sounds set in the play environment. In addition, at the moment when the golf club impacts the golf ball when the user hits the golf ball, the sound at the moment when the golf club impacts the golf ball when the user putts, the sound generated when the putted golf ball enters the hole cup, and if a situation where the wind is blowing is set, the sound of the wind blowing, etc. are also provided with the sounds set in the play environment. That is, all the sounds of all situations that may occur when playing golf on an actual golf course can be reproduced as they are, and the sounds generated in the reproduction situation can be provided by the sounds set in the play environment.

[0026] Assume that at least one or more of a plurality of sounds can be set via the sound setting unit (23). Then, the plurality of sounds include sounds in which at least one of intensity, frequency, and waveform is different from each other. When the intensity of the sound is high, a louder sound is produced. As the frequency increases, a higher-pitched sound like a female voice is produced. The waveform can determine the timbre and tone, and can give a completely different feeling even for the same sound depending on the waveform. For example, assume that the sound when the golf ball putted by the user enters the hole cup is provided to the user via the sound unit (50), and the sound when the golf ball enters the hole cup is provided by the sound set among a plurality of sounds (e.g., Sound 1, Sound 2, Sound 3). If the user sets Sound 1 and Sound 1 has a higher intensity than Sound 2 and Sound 3, a loud sound can be provided when the golf ball enters the hole cup. Also, if the user sets Sound 2 and Sound 2 has a higher frequency than Sound 1 and Sound 3, a high-pitched sound can be provided when the golf ball enters the hole cup. Further, if the user sets Sound 3 and Sound 3 has a waveform that can smoothly soothe emotions, a sound that exhibits the above effect can be provided when the golf ball enters the hole cup. Also, in addition to the differences due to intensity, frequency, waveform, etc., the plurality of sounds that can be set can also be made different by adding special effects to the sound. For example, a vibration effect that makes a sound ring when the virtual golf ball impacts the golf club or when the virtual golf ball flies in the virtual golf course can be added to the original sound.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 4, in order to provide various information and advice during play with a caddie accompanying in an actual golf course, in screen golf as well, a virtual caddie can be displayed on the screen to play the role of a caddie in an actual golf course. For example, in a situation where the user has to putt, a virtual caddie can be displayed on the screen to convey information regarding the distance between the user's virtual golf ball and the hole cup, the terrain characteristics of the green area where putting is performed (such as the inclination direction and inclination degree of the green area), etc. The information and advice provided by the virtual caddie on the screen can be provided as voice messages through the sound unit (50), and the voice of the caddie is determined by the sound set in the play environment. For example, when any one of Sound 1, Sound 2, and Sound 3 can be set, the voice of the caddie will be different depending on which one of these is set. Depending on Sound 1 / Sound 2 / Sound 3, there can be differences in at least one or more of the intensity, frequency, and waveform in the voice of the caddie. Alternatively, depending on Sound 1 / Sound 2 / Sound 3, there can be differences in the timbre of the caddie. Depending on the timbre, voices can be distinguished and heard differently for each person making the sound. A plurality of sounds with different timbres can be formed by each having a plurality of sound sources with different timbres, or by passing through an intermediate processing process such as filtering even if it is the same sound source to have different timbres. Alternatively, depending on Sound 1 / Sound 2 / Sound 3, there can be differences in the diction, tone, and intonation of the virtual caddie's speech, etc., and thus even when conveying the same message such as the same information and advice, the message conveyed can give a completely different effect to the user. For example, a caddie who conveys a message in a kind voice, a caddie who excitedly shouts "Nice shot" about a good play, a caddie who quietly comments so that the user can become stable and concentrate on the play, etc., the way the caddie's message is conveyed can be changed by the sound setting.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a virtual golf apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the virtual golf apparatus according to this embodiment includes a hitting plate (10a), a computer device (20a), a camera (30a), an input device (40a) such as a keyboard / mouse, a speaker (50a), a screen (60a), a projector (60b), and a kiosk (60c). The hitting plate (10a), the computer device (20a), the camera (30a), the input device (40a) such as a keyboard / mouse, the speaker (50a), the screen (60a), and the projector (60b) serve the same roles as the hitting plate (10), the control unit (20), the sensing unit (30), the input unit (40), the sound unit (50), and the display unit (60) in the virtual golf apparatus of the foregoing embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0029] The kiosk (60c) includes various display devices such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an LED (Light Emitting Diode), an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode), an FED (Field Emission Display), a PDP (Plasma Display Panel), and a flexible display (Flexible Display) as a small display. According to this embodiment, the virtual golf apparatus is provided with two devices for displaying images, namely the screen (60a) and the kiosk (60c), whereby various screens and information can be dynamically provided to the user. For example, a screen that can be provided to the user as a main image, such as a virtual golf ball and a virtual golf course, can be displayed on the screen (60a), and a screen that can provide a main image or auxiliary information can be displayed on the kiosk (60c).

[0030] In the virtual golf device according to the present embodiment, a sound setting unit is provided in the same manner as in the virtual golf device of the foregoing embodiment. The sound setting unit is provided in a computer device (20a) that can serve as a control unit in the virtual golf device of the foregoing embodiment. Through the sound setting unit, a user can set a specific sound among a plurality of sounds, and thereby provide the sound set by the user during play.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of a screen for setting various play environments. Referring to FIG. 6, a user can set various play environments according to his or her wishes on the menu screen. The menu screen is displayed on the screen (60a) and / or the kiosk (60c), and the user can select the hole cup position, green speed, sound, mulligan count, concede range, etc. as play environments. In addition, the user can set at least one or more sounds among a plurality of sounds (for example, Sound 1, Sound 2, Sound 3).

[0032] Compared with the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 2, the sound setting in the present embodiment is different in that the sound setting unit can have a function of recommending a sound suitable for the current user. When there is a sound recommendation function, as shown in FIG. 6, the recommended sound can be displayed with a notation such as "recommended" or the box of the corresponding sound can be displayed in a different color or form, so that the user can recognize the recommended sound.

[0033] The virtual golf device according to the present embodiment includes a sound setting unit and a storage unit in the computer device (20a) as in the foregoing embodiment, and the sound setting unit can recommend a sound suitable for the user using the information stored in the storage unit.

[0034] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an information storage structure for storing various information. Referring to FIG. 7, the storage unit includes an area (1) for storing user information, an area (2) for storing sound information, and the like. Although not shown in the drawings, the storage unit may further have an area for storing golf course or golf course information, etc. In the area (1) for storing user information, information is classified and stored for each user (user 1, user 2,...). The information stored in the area (1) for storing user information includes information related to the personal background of the user, such as name, gender, age, etc., and play information (personal records such as the golf course played, score, average number of strokes, average flight distance, etc.) when the user played in the past. Also, when there is a function to recommend a specific sound to the user as in this embodiment, information related to the sound that can be recommended to each user is further stored in the area (1) for storing user information. In the area (2) for storing sound information, information is classified and stored for each settable sound (sound 1, sound 2,...). In each of the above-classified sound storage areas, play sound data (sounds such as the sound of a virtual golf ball flying, the sound of a virtual golf ball falling and colliding with the floor, the sound of a virtual golf ball rolling on the floor, etc.) and / or caddy voice message data, etc. generated during play for the corresponding sound are stored. The sound to be recommended to the user can be determined considering various aspects. As an example, a sound that the user can easily distinguish can be recommended considering the user's personal background information.

[0035] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the principle of optimally setting sounds for the user. Referring to FIG. 8, according to research on human hearing, the frequency ranges in which hearing loss can occur differ between men and women of different ages. For example, a 15-year-old male can hear all sounds at any frequency in the range of 250 to 6000 Hz. However, in the case of a 65-year-old male, he can hear sounds at a frequency of 250 Hz well, but the hearing loss increases as the frequency increases. In particular, the hearing loss increases significantly as the frequency increases with about 1000 Hz as a reference. Also, in the case of a 55-year-old male, he can hear low-frequency sounds well, but the hearing loss increases as the frequency increases. In particular, the hearing loss increases significantly as the frequency increases with about 2000 Hz as a reference. Therefore, it is preferable to recommend sounds having frequencies of 1000 Hz or less to male users in their 60s, and it is preferable to recommend sounds having frequencies of 2000 Hz or less to men in their 50s. Here, an example of recommending a sound based on frequency has been described, but it is not necessarily required to recommend a sound based only on frequency, and it is also possible to recommend a sound based on frequency and / or other factors other than frequency.

[0036] As described above, the embodiments of setting a sound according to the user's selection and the embodiments of recommending a sound to the user have been described, but the sound setting may be automatically performed without the user's selection. In the following, two embodiments in which a sound is automatically set without the user's selection will be described.

[0037] FIGS. 9 and 10 are flowcharts showing the process of automatically setting a sound. Referring to FIG. 9, the process of automatically setting a sound includes first to third steps (S11, S12, S13). In the first step (S11), the identity of the user is identified. In the second step (S12), a sound suitable for the identified user is selected. In the third step (S13), the selected sound is provided during the play of the corresponding user. Among the first to third steps (S11, S12, S13), at least the second step (12) can be performed by the aforementioned sound setting unit.

[0038] In the first step (S11), when the user logs in, the identity of the user is identified through the login process. For example, if the virtual golf device can only be used after the user logs in, the user must log in to use the virtual golf device, and the identity of the user can be confirmed through the information (ID, password, etc.) entered by the user during login.

[0039] In the second step (S12), a sound suitable for the identified user is selected. For example, assuming that the structure of the storage unit that stores various information in the virtual golf device is the same as that shown in FIG. 7, and in the first step (S11), the user is identified as user 2 stored in the user information, the sound to be provided to user 2 can be selected by extracting the data in the area where the sound recommendation information is stored from the area where the information about user 2 is stored.

[0040] In the third step (S13), the sound selected in the second step (S12) is provided to the corresponding user. For example, assuming that the structure of the storage unit that stores various information in the virtual golf device is the same as that shown in FIG. 7, and in the first step (S11), the user is identified as user 2, and in the second step (S12), sound 1 is selected as the sound for user 2, various play sounds, voice messages, etc. can be extracted from the area where the information about sound 1 is stored and provided to user 2 while user 2 is playing.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 10, other processes for automatically setting sound include first to fourth steps (S21, S22, S23, S24). In the first step (S21), the identity of the user is identified. In the second step (S22), the current situation of the user is grasped. In the third step (S23), a sound suitable for the identified user and the current situation is selected. In the fourth step (S24), the selected sound is provided during the play of the corresponding user. Among the first to fourth steps (S21, S22, S23, S24), at least the third step (23) can be performed by the aforementioned sound setting unit.

[0042] In the first step (S21), when the user logs in, the identity of the user is identified through the login process. For example, if the user can use the virtual golf device only after logging in, the user must make logging in essential to use the virtual golf device, and the identity of the user can be confirmed through the information (ID, password, etc.) entered by the user at the time of logging in.

[0043] In the second step (S22), the current play situation of the user is grasped. For example, when the user records a long drive much longer than their average driving distance or records an eagle / birdie and achieves excellent results (conveniently named "the first case"), or when the user's golf ball falls into a bunker / water hazard or the user fails in short-distance putting and gets into a crisis situation (conveniently named "the second case"), various situations may occur during the play. The first case can be classified and grasped as a situation to congratulate the user, and the second case can be classified and grasped as a situation to encourage the user. In this way, when classifying multiple situations into several types for various situations that occur during the play, appropriate sounds can be matched to each classified type so that sounds suitable for the situation can be provided according to the changing play situation.

[0044] In the third step (S23), a sound suitable for the user whose identity has been confirmed and / or the currently grasped situation is selected. For example, if the current situation is a normal situation, a sound suitable for the identified user can be selected as in the above-described embodiment (the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 9). Alternatively, if the current situation is a special situation rather than a normal situation such as the above-described first case or second case, the sound can be selected while focusing on the situation by the user. For example, in a situation where the user should be congratulated, a caddy of Hilton can provide a message for congratulating the user's situation in a loud voice, and in a situation where the user should be encouraged, a caddy with a low voice can provide a message for calming the user and boosting the motivation in a calm voice. In order to select different sounds according to the current situation in this way, it is preferable that a plurality of different sounds and situation information indicating to which situation each of the plurality of sounds corresponds are stored in a state of being matched with each other, such as [(sound 1, situation A), (sound 2, situation B),...].

[0045] In the fourth step (S24), the sound selected in the third step (S23) is provided to the corresponding user. If the current situation is a normal situation, the sound selected while focusing on the user is provided, and if the current situation is a special situation, the sound selected while focusing on the situation by the user can be provided. The above sound includes various play sounds, voice messages, and the like.

[0046] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a virtual golf apparatus 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 a sensing means such as a camera for sensing the movement of the golf club / golf ball when hitting, and other devices. 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 a control unit having a sound setting unit in the virtual golf device according to the previous embodiment. Therefore, in the virtual golf device according to this embodiment, a specific sound can be set among a plurality of sounds, as in the previous embodiment, and the set sound can be provided during the user's play.

[0047] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a virtual golf system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 12, the virtual golf system includes a virtual golf device (100) and a service device (200). As the virtual golf device (100), a virtual golf device as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 11 and the like can be used. The virtual golf device (100) is installed in a screen golf course for home use or public use where screen golf can be played. When there are multiple screen golf courses, the virtual golf device (100) is installed for each screen golf course, and a plurality of them are provided in total. The virtual golf device (100) is connected to the service device (200) via a wired or wireless communication network or the like. The service device (200) includes a central server used by a service provider operating a plurality of screen golf courses to manage the virtual golf devices (100) provided in the plurality of screen golf courses.

[0048] The service device (200) includes a sound setting unit (210) and a storage unit (220). Similar to the sound setting unit in the virtual golf device according to the foregoing embodiment, by the operation of the sound setting unit (210), a specific sound can be set among a plurality of sounds, and the set sound can be provided during the user's play. FIG. 12 illustrates an example in which the sound setting unit (210) is provided in the service device (200), but it is also possible to configure the sound setting unit to be provided in each of the plurality of virtual golf devices (100).

[0049] The storage unit (220) stores various types of information, including golf course information, user information, sound information, and the like. When a user who intends to use the screen golf service first logs in to receive the above service, the service device (200) verifies the identity of the user and determines whether to approve the login, and the storage unit (220) stores information for verifying the identity of the user. In addition, the storage unit (220) stores not only information for verifying the identity of the user but also various types of user information related to the user's play record and golf skills, etc., and also stores golf course information necessary for forming an image of a virtual golf course in the virtual golf device (100). For example, the storage unit (220) has a structure as shown in FIG. 7. By storing various types of information in the storage unit (220) in this way, a plurality of virtual golf devices (100) connected to the service device (200) by wire and / or wirelessly can utilize the information stored in the storage unit (220), and it is not necessary to separately store user information, golf course information, sound information, etc. in each of the virtual golf devices (100).

[0050] As described above, specific embodiments of the present invention have been considered. Those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains will be able to understand that the present invention can be embodied in a modified form without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should be considered from an explanatory perspective rather than a limiting perspective. The scope of the present invention is shown not in the foregoing description but in the claims, and all differences within the scope equivalent thereto should be construed as being included in the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0051] 10: Strike plate 20: Control unit 30: Sensing unit 40: Input unit 50: Sound unit 60: Display unit 100: Virtual golf device 200: Service device

Claims

1. a display unit that displays a virtual golf course on which a user plays; a calculation unit that executes a calculation process for calculating a motion 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 hit by a user; A sound setting section for sound settings Including, The sound can be set differently for each user for multiple users. Virtual golf equipment.

2. The virtual golf device of claim 1 , wherein the sound setting unit is capable of recommending sounds selectable by the user or automatically setting a particular sound for the user.

3. 3. The virtual golf device according to claim 2, wherein the sound setting unit can recommend sounds to a user or automatically set a specific sound for a user according to the user's personal profile information and / or the user's current playing progress.

4. The virtual golf device of claim 3 , wherein the user's personal demographic information includes at least one of gender and age.

5. The users include a first user and a second user, 2. The virtual golf device of claim 1, wherein a first sound of a first frequency can be set for the first user, and a second sound of a second frequency can be set for the second user.

6. 6. The virtual golf device according to claim 1, wherein the sound includes at least one of sounds generated during play and voice messages.

7. A service device; at least one virtual golf device communicatively connected to the service device; Including, The virtual golf device includes a display unit that displays a virtual golf course on which a user plays, and a calculation unit that executes a calculation process for 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 hit by the user, The service device or the virtual golf device is provided with a sound setting unit for setting a sound, and the sound can be set differently for each of a plurality of users. Virtual golf system.

Images