Virtual golf device and virtual golf system for providing putting information

Abstract

To provide a virtual golf device and a virtual golf system capable of providing putting information.SOLUTION: A virtual golf device comprises: a display unit which displays a virtual golf course; a calculation unit which calculates movement of a virtual golf ball corresponding to an actual golf ball in the virtual golf course when a user actually strikes the golf ball; and an information providing unit which generates putting information to be provided to the user. The putting information is preset for a plurality of putting strengths for a user, and includes information regarding a recommended putting strength selected from among a plurality of different putting strengths set for the user attempting to perform putting.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

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 provide various putting information during the putting stage. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, golf has become increasingly popular, and the number of people playing golf is on the rise. In addition to playing golf on outdoor golf courses, screen golf, which allows players to play golf using virtual golf devices, is also becoming increasingly popular. Screen golf displays an image of the golf course on a screen, allowing players to experience the realism of playing a real game outdoors. Furthermore, because it saves time and money compared to playing on an outdoor field, screen golf is popular among modern people who find it difficult to play on an outdoor field due to time or financial constraints.

[0003] As the number of people playing screen golf increases, user expectations for screen golf are also rising. Compared to real golf, screen golf has the advantage of being played in an enclosed indoor space, allowing it to provide users with technical services that are difficult to provide in real golf, which is played in an open outdoor space. Therefore, it is necessary to satisfy user expectations for playing golf by utilizing the unique advantages of screen golf to provide various technical services that are not possible in real golf. In particular, when a golf ball reaches the green during the course of playing screen golf, the putting stage begins. Since putting is a very important stage in golf that depends on various factors (e.g., the distance between the golf ball and the hole cup, the terrain characteristics around the hole cup, etc.), it is necessary to provide users with practically useful putting information during the putting stage. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a virtual golf device that can notify a user of various putting information during the putting stage. Another object of the present invention is to provide a virtual golf system that can provide various putting information to a user during the putting stage. Other objects of the present invention will become clear from the following description and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, a virtual golf device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a display unit that displays a virtual golf course, a calculation unit that calculates the movement of a virtual golf ball corresponding to the actual golf ball on the virtual golf course when a user hits an actual golf ball, and an information providing unit that forms putting information to be provided to the user, where a plurality of putting intensities are pre-set for the user, and the putting information includes information on a recommended putting strength selected from a plurality of different putting intensities pre-set for the user who is about to putt.

[0006] In the virtual golf device, the information providing unit selects the recommended putting strength from among a plurality of putting strengths set for the user in consideration of the user's current playing situation.

[0007] In the virtual golf device, there may be a plurality of users, and the plurality of putting intensities may be set to be different for each user. In the virtual golf device, the user can perform preparatory putting a plurality of times with different strengths, and set the plurality of different putting strengths according to the results of the preparatory putting.

[0008] In the virtual golf device, the result of the preparatory putting includes the distance traveled by the user's virtual golf ball on the virtual golf course due to the preparatory putting, the travel speed of the actual golf ball putted in the preparatory putting, and the travel distance of the actual golf ball putted in the preparatory putting.

[0009] In the virtual golf device, the putting information further includes information on at least one of a putter, a putting posture, and a position of the actual golf ball during putting. In the virtual golf device, the putting information further includes information regarding putting tempo.

[0010] In the virtual golf device, the information about the putting tempo is provided via the display unit as an animation that repeatedly moves a predetermined distance, and the predetermined distance varies depending on the recommended putting strength.

[0011] A virtual golf system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a service device, at least one virtual golf device communicatively connected to the service device, and an information providing unit provided in the service device or the virtual golf device and forming putting information to be provided to a user, the virtual golf device including a display unit that displays a virtual golf course and a calculation unit that calculates a movement of a virtual golf ball corresponding to the real golf ball on the virtual golf course when a user hits a real golf ball, and a plurality of putting strengths are set for the user in advance, and the putting information includes information on a recommended putting strength selected from a plurality of different putting strengths set for the user who is about to putt. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the virtual golf device and virtual golf system of the present invention, various putting information is provided to a user playing virtual golf such as screen golf, thereby increasing convenience for the user and improving the user's putting ability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a virtual golf device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a diagram for explaining the putting process in the virtual golf device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a diagram for explaining the putting process in the virtual golf device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram for explaining the putting process in the virtual golf device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 5] 3 is a diagram showing an example of a method for forming putting information in an information providing unit in the virtual golf device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 6] 3 is a diagram showing an example of a method for forming putting information in an information providing unit in the virtual golf device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 7] 3 is a diagram showing an example of a method for forming putting information in an information providing unit in the virtual golf device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 8] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the internal structure of a storage unit in the virtual golf device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 9] 10A to 10C are diagrams for explaining various other examples of putting information. [Figure 10] 10A to 10C are diagrams for explaining various other examples of putting information. [Figure 11] 10A to 10C are diagrams for explaining various other examples of putting information. [Figure 12] 10A to 10C are diagrams for explaining various other examples of putting information. [Figure 13] 10A to 10C are diagrams for explaining various other examples of putting information. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a virtual golf device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] 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 INVENTION

[0014] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to examples. 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 disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the present invention to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited by the following examples.

[0015] In this specification, terms such as "first," "second," etc. are used to describe various elements, but the elements should not be limited by such terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish the elements from one another. Furthermore, when a layer (film) is referred to as being on another layer (film) or substrate, this means that it can be formed directly on the other layer (film) or substrate, or that a third layer (film) can be interposed between them.

[0016] In the drawings, the size of elements or the relative size between elements may be somewhat exaggerated to provide a clearer understanding of the present invention. Furthermore, the shapes of the elements shown in the drawings may be slightly modified 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 shown in the drawings, and should be understood to include some degree of modification.

[0017] 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).

[0018] The striking plate 10 is the area where the user stands to hit a golf ball. The striking plate 10 may be a separately provided plate-like object, or it may be a separate object, but may also be the floor where the user stands, where the virtual golf device is installed. Although not shown in the drawings, the striking plate 10 is provided with a striking mat on which the golf ball to be hit is placed, and the striking mat is provided with an auto tee that can move up and down. The golf ball to be hit can be automatically provided to the user through the auto tee.

[0019] The control unit 20 controls the overall operation of 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 provides a golf ball for the user to hit at the time of the user's hit. Specifically, when it is determined that the user has hit a golf ball placed on the hitting mat immediately after the user hits the golf ball, the control unit 20 can control the auto tee to provide a golf ball for the next hit.

[0020] The control unit 20 includes a calculation unit 21, an image unit 22, an information providing unit 23, and a storage unit 24 (at least one of the calculation unit 21, image unit 22, information providing unit 23, and storage unit 24 may be configured as a separate unit from the control unit 20). The calculation unit 21 performs a calculation process to calculate the trajectory of a golf ball as it moves on the golf course currently being played, based on the physical state of the golf ball struck by the user. The image unit 22 generates an image to be displayed on the display unit 60. For example, if the user selects a specific golf course, the image unit 22 generates an image of the golf course selected by the user, and the image is transmitted to the display unit 60 for display. The information providing unit 23 provides various information to the user playing virtual golf, and its detailed operation 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 operation of the control unit 20, calculation unit 21, imaging unit 22, information providing unit 23, etc. For example, when the imaging unit 22 creates an image of a golf course, the storage unit 24 stores information about the golf course necessary to create the image. The storage unit 24 does not necessarily have to be included in the virtual golf device, and may be included in the server when the virtual golf device is connected to the server via a communication network, etc.

[0021] The sensing unit 30 senses the movement of the golf club and / or the movement of the golf ball struck by the user when the golf ball is struck, and obtains information necessary for the calculation process. The sensing unit 30 may be a sensing means such as a camera capable of capturing images of the movement of the golf club or golf ball, or a sensing sensor having a sensing function. The sensing means may employ various sensing methods, such as image sensing, light-emitting / light-receiving sensing, laser sensing, and radar sensing, and these sensing methods can obtain status information about the golf club or the golf ball struck by the user. The camera or 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 and commands from the user, and can use a keyboard, mouse, touch screen, etc. as input devices. When a user is required to log in to use the virtual golf device, the user uses the input unit 40 to enter their own ID and password for logging in, and to select the golf course they want to play on, 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 game progress and various sound effects are reproduced according to the progress of the game. The display unit 60 includes display devices such as a projector and a screen. The projector projects golf-related images onto the screen so that images of the golf course and golf balls are displayed on the screen, and the screen displays the projected golf-related images for 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 installed at a home or commercial screen golf course, etc., and allows users to play golf (the golf played here is different from "real golf" played at an outdoor golf course using various electronic devices, and therefore can be called "virtual golf" to distinguish it from real golf. Also, in virtual golf, the scenery of the golf course is mainly displayed on a screen, so "virtual golf" can also be called "screen golf"). The virtual golf device's general operating process when a user plays screen golf is as follows: When a user hits a golf ball, the sensing unit 30 senses parameters indicating the movement of the golf club and / or the state of the golf ball, such as the speed / direction of movement of the golf ball hit by the user (alternatively, the sensing unit 30 can be configured to only obtain basic information for determining the parameters, and the control unit 20 or calculation unit 21 can be configured to determine the actual parameter values ​​based on the 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 and trajectory of the golf ball are calculated in the calculation process, the image unit 22 generates an image of the virtual golf ball moving along 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 along the calculated trajectory and lands at a specific point on the virtual golf course displayed on the screen, and the user continues to take the next shot from the point where the virtual golf ball lands. The above operation process is repeated for the user's next shot.

[0026] The virtual golf device according to an embodiment of the present invention can provide various useful information to the user during the above-mentioned playing process. In particular, putting information that is practically useful to the user during the putting stage is provided. The putting information will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] 2 to 4 are diagrams for explaining the putting process in the virtual golf device of FIG. Referring to FIG. 2, the putting phase begins when the user's virtual golf ball reaches the green area on the virtual golf course, and during the putting phase, the user putts by rolling the actual golf ball placed on the striking mat of the striking plate toward the screen.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 3, when a user putts, the physical state of the putted golf ball is sensed, and a calculation process for determining the putting result is performed based on the sensed state. The calculation process is performed by the calculation unit 21 of the control unit 20 based on the information sensed by the sensing unit 30. Various methods can be used to calculate the trajectory of the golf ball. For example, parameters indicating the physical state of the golf ball after impact can be sensed and the trajectory can be calculated from the sensed state. These parameters include the golf ball's velocity (V) and the direction angle (θ) indicating the direction of the golf ball rolling upon putting. The trajectory of the golf ball can be calculated by applying a calculation model based on the laws of physics based on these parameters. Once the calculation process is complete, an image of the virtual golf ball moving as calculated is displayed on the screen. If the virtual golf ball lands in the hole cup after a successful putt, play on that hole (golf course) is completed and play on the next hole begins (or if the hole is the last hole, play is completed). If the putt is unsuccessful, the next putt is made at the point where the virtual golf ball arrived due to the user's putt.

[0029] One of the important factors in successful putting is the putting direction. The putting direction is determined based on the slope of the green area between the virtual golf ball and the hole cup. The virtual golf device of the present invention can generate information on the appropriate putting direction that will result in a successful putt through an information providing unit (23) or the like, and then display this information on a screen or the like to inform the user. However, even if the golf ball is rolled in the correct putting direction, if the putting strength is not appropriate, the putt may fail.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 4, let us consider three cases when putting in the correct direction, taking into account the slope of the green: putting hard, putting with the correct strength, and putting softly. Putting with the correct strength causes the golf ball to curve appropriately along the slope of the green and land in the hole cup. However, if the putting strength is strong, the golf ball will roll in a straight line unaffected by the slope of the green, resulting in a missed hole. On the other hand, if the putting strength is weak, the golf ball will be significantly affected by the slope of the green, resulting in a missed hole. Thus, putting strength is a factor that determines whether a putt is successful. In the virtual golf device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the information providing unit 23 can generate useful information about putting (including information about putting strength, etc., which may also serve as advice) and display it on the screen to provide it to the user.

[0031] 5 to 7 are diagrams showing an example of a method for forming putting information in the information providing unit in the virtual golf device of FIG. According to this embodiment, in order to form the putting strength information, a user is previously set for a plurality of putting strengths, and the information providing unit 23 can select one of the plurality of set putting strengths to form the putting strength information.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 5, the process of setting multiple putting intensities can be performed by a user performing multiple preparatory puttings. For example, assuming that multiple putting intensities, divided into five levels from level 1 to level 5, are set for a specific user, as shown in FIG. 5, the user is requested to perform multiple puttings at the intensity associated with each level, increasing (or decreasing) from level 1 (or level 5) to level 5 (or level 1). Once the user has performed multiple puttings at a predetermined intensity for each level, this is stored, and the process of setting multiple putting intensities can be completed. Specifically, when user A sets the putting intensity at level 1, if user A performs 10 preparatory puttings (the number of puttings may be more or less than 10) and the average distance traveled by the putted golf ball is 1 meter, information "level 1 putting intensity: 1 meter" is stored for user A. Here, if the putting distances for the 10 putts are all 1m or similar to 1m, it can be said that there is a high possibility that User A will be able to reproduce a putting distance of 1m when putting at putting intensity level 1 in an actual game. If the putting distances for the 10 putts are 1.1m, 1m, 1.2m, 1m, 0.8m, 0.9m, 0.8m, 1.2m, 2.5m, and 1.9m, the average putting distance is 1.24m, but it can be said that there is a low possibility that User A will be able to reproduce a putting distance of 1.24m when putting at putting intensity level 1 in an actual game. This is because User A recorded putting distances of around 1m in most of the 10 preparatory putts, but the average value of 1.24m was due to two exceptional preparatory putt results (2.5m and 1.9m) that were significantly off from 1m. In such cases, when setting the putting distance at level 1, you can exclude putting distances that are significantly off compared to most other values, such as 2.5m and 1.9m, and calculate the average using only the remaining putting distances to set the putting distance at level 1 to 1m ((1.1m + 1m + 1.2m + 1m + 0.8m + 0.9m + 0.8m + 1.2m) / 8).By repeating the above method, putting intensities (the distance traveled by the virtual golf ball rolling with a putt) can be set for levels 2, 3, 4, and 5. Here, an example has been described in which putting intensities are set as specific values ​​where the travel distance at a specific level is fixed. However, putting intensities can also be set as a range of travel distances rather than specific values. For example, putting intensities can be set as follows: "Level 1: 0.9-1.1 m; Level 2: 3.9-4.1 m; Level 3: 6.8-7.2 m; Level 4: 10.5-11.5 m; Level 5: 14-16 m." The above ranges can be determined using the average, standard deviation, etc., of multiple preliminary putting attempts.

[0033] Preparatory putting to set the putting strength can be done on a flat, even green area (it is also possible to do preliminary putting on a sloped green area and set the putting strength accordingly). The method for setting multiple putting strengths for user A has been described above, but if there are multiple users, each of the multiple users can do preliminary putting and set multiple levels of putting strength for each user.

[0034] As described above, if multiple different levels of putting strength are set for a user, the putting strength set in the user's actual play can be used to recommend a putting strength that suits the user's current situation.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 6 , assuming that the green area is flat and the virtual golf ball is currently 14 m away from the hole cup, and the user's setting of putting strength is "Level 1 1 m / Level 2 4 m / Level 3 7 m / Level 4 10 m / Level 5 14 m," the distance between the golf ball and the hole cup in the current situation (14 m) corresponds to a putting strength of level 5 (14 m), so the information providing unit 23 can select a putting strength of level 5 and recommend the user to putt at that level. The putting strength recommended by the information providing unit 23 can be displayed in various ways. For example, the recommended putting strength can be indicated by displaying an indicator 1 having multiple divisions corresponding to the putting strength on a flag located on the hole cup. Specifically, the indicator 1 can be formed to have divisions with different colors corresponding to the number of levels set for the user. When there are five levels of putting strength, from level 1 to level 5, the indicator (1) includes a division area (1a) corresponding to level 1, a division area (1b) corresponding to level 2, a division area (1c) corresponding to level 3, a division area (1d) corresponding to level 4, and a division area (1e) corresponding to level 5 (Figure 6 is a black and white drawing, but in a color drawing, division areas (1a) / (1b) / (1c) / (1d) / (1e) can be displayed in different colors), and when the recommended putting strength is level 5, a recommendation mark (2) is displayed in the division area (1e) corresponding to level 5 to inform the user of the recommended putting strength.

[0036] Referring to Figure 7, if the green area is sloped, the putting strength can be recommended taking the slope into consideration. In actual golf, the terrain of the green area is often not uniform in elevation but has complex slopes rather than being simply flat. Since the virtual golf course displayed on the screen of the virtual golf device is modeled after a golf course at an actual golf course, the green area of ​​the virtual golf course is often also sloped. If the green area displayed on the screen is not flat but has sloped terrain, the user cannot easily grasp the slope of the green area displayed in two dimensions on the screen with the naked eye. Therefore, a grid (G) and a moving object (I) can be displayed on the screen so that the user can grasp the slope.

[0037] The grid (G) includes multiple horizontal lines (G1) and vertical lines (G2) displayed in the green area, and the moving object (I) includes a horizontal moving object (I1) that moves along the horizontal lines (G1) and a paper moving object (I2) that moves along the vertical lines (G2). The horizontal moving object (I1) and the paper moving object (I2) move from a position where the slope of the green area is high to a position where the slope of the green area is low, and the greater the slope, the greater their moving speed. Therefore, when the grid (G) and the moving object (I) are displayed, the user can understand the direction and degree of slope in the green area through the moving direction and moving speed of the moving object (I).

[0038] Assume that the virtual golf ball is currently 5.27 m from the hole cup on a sloped green, and the putting strengths set for the user are "Level 1: 1 m, Level 2: 4 m, Level 3: 7 m, Level 4: 10 m, and Level 5: 14 m." The distance (5.27 m) between the golf ball and the hole cup is closest to the level 2 putting strength (4 m). However, if there is an uphill slope from the golf ball to the hole cup (in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 , there is a 0.16 m height difference between the golf ball and the hole cup), the information providing unit 23 may take this into consideration and recommend a higher level of putting strength, such as level 3, instead of the level 2 putting strength set for the preliminary putting on flat terrain. As described above, the recommended putting strength can be indicated to the user by displaying an indicator 1 with multiple divisions corresponding to multiple putting strengths on a flag located on the hole cup, and by displaying a recommendation mark 2 for level 3, which corresponds to the recommended putting strength.

[0039] In this way, by setting a plurality of putting intensities and selecting and informing the user of a recommended putting intensity that matches the current putting situation, the user can putt at a putting intensity that is appropriate for the situation in various putting situations, thereby increasing the user's convenience and improving the user's putting ability.

[0040] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the internal structure of the storage unit in the virtual golf device of FIG. Referring to FIG. 8, the storage unit 24 includes an area 24a for storing user information and an area 24b for storing golf course information. The area 24a for storing user information stores information for each user (User A, User B, etc.), and the area 24b for storing golf course information stores information for each golf course (Golf Course A, Golf Course B, etc.). The area 24a for storing user information stores personal information, playing information, putting information, etc. The personal information includes information about the user's personal information, such as name, gender, age, physical characteristics (height, weight, right-handed / left-handed, etc.). The playing information includes information about the user's past playing experiences. For example, the playing information includes the golf courses played, the scores on the courses played, personal records such as average strokes, average driving distance, green accuracy, average number of putts, etc. The putting information includes information about the user's putting. For example, the putting information includes information about the putting strength described above. If user A performs multiple preparatory puttings and sets the putting strengths as "Level 1 1m / Level 2 4m / Level 3 7m / Level 4 10m / Level 5 14m," the information regarding the setting of the putting strengths can be stored in the putting information area. Putting information can be obtained by the user performing preparatory putting. If the user performs preparatory putting on a different day, the putting strength information set by the previous preparatory putting can be updated or replaced by the putting strength information from the subsequent preparatory putting. If the putting information for a user is stored in the storage unit 24, the information providing unit 23 can recommend an appropriate putting strength based on the user's putting information when the specific user enters the putting stage. If the user's putting information is not stored in the storage unit 24, the information providing unit 23 can be configured to have its own memory and store information regarding the putting strength set by each user in the memory.

[0041] The information stored in the area (24b) for storing golf course information includes the golf courses (holes) that make up each of the multiple golf courses, the overall outline of each golf course, the components of each golf course (green / fairway / rough / bunker, etc.) and information on the shape and arrangement of these components, play information when users have played at the golf course in the past (information on users who have recorded excellent scores and the date of play, information on the users who achieved achievements such as a hole-in-one or an albatross at the golf course, such as the users who achieved the achievement / the date on which the achievement was achieved / videos showing the play that achieved the achievement, information related to the users' play records such as the average score / average number of strokes / average driving distance of users who have played at the golf course, etc.).

[0042] 9 to 13 are diagrams for explaining various other embodiments of putting information. When the information providing unit 23 provides putting information to the user, the putting information may include not only the recommended putting strength but also other information. Factors that affect putting may include factors other than putting strength. For example, the type of golf club (putter) used when putting, the user's posture when putting, and the position of the golf ball when putting (the position of the golf ball relative to the user's body parts) may affect putting. Therefore, after identifying factors that affect putting other than putting strength, appropriate putting information and / or advice may be provided during the putting stage based on the identified factors.

[0043] Information about factors affecting putting can be obtained through user input. Referring to FIG. 9, a related menu screen can be displayed on a display device such as a screen or kiosk, and the user can input information about putting into the menu screen. For example, the menu screen can display input information about the type of putter (1.), the user's posture when putting (2.), and the position of the golf ball when putting (3.). The menu screen can also display input information about the conditions of the green area when putting. For example, information about the slope angle of the green (4.), the speed of the green (5.), whether there is wind, and if there is wind, the wind direction and speed (6.), etc. can be input.

[0044] The user can input the information 1. to 6. before performing preparatory putting, and once the input is complete, the user can perform preparatory putting according to the input conditions. When the user completes preparatory putting, the information 1. to 6. and information on the multiple putting intensities set in the preparatory putting are stored in the information providing unit (23) and / or storage unit (24), and the information providing unit (23) can provide the user with appropriate putting information and / or putting advice during the putting stage using the stored information.

[0045] For example, assume that user A inputs "1. Ray Cook SS-4, 2. Type A, 3. Big toe of left foot, 4. Uphill slope angle 0.5 degrees, 5. Normal green speed, 6. No wind" and performs multiple preliminary putting runs to set putting strengths of "Level 1 1 m, Level 2 4 m, Level 3 7 m, Level 4 10 m, Level 5 14 m." If the distance between user A's golf ball and the hole cup during the putting run is 4 m and the uphill slope is 0.5 degrees, the information providing unit (23) can provide advice such as, "Use a Ray Cook SS-4 putter, take a Type A stance, set the golf ball so that it is positioned on the big toe of your left foot, and putt with putting strength of Level 2." If the distance between User A's golf ball and the hole cup is 4 m and the ground is flat during the putting stage, the information providing unit (23) can provide the following advice: "Use a Ray Cook SS-4 putter, assume an A-type stance, set the golf ball so that it is positioned on the big toe of your left foot, and putt with a putting strength of level 1." In this case, the distance of 4 m between the golf ball and the hole cup corresponds to level 2 in putting strength, but this level setting is based on a 0.5 degree uphill slope. Taking into consideration that the golf ball's travel distance may increase on a flat green area like the current one, the information providing unit (23) recommends a putting strength of a lower level (level 1 in the example) than the recommended level that reflects the distance (level 2 in the example above).

[0046] As another example, suppose that User A inputs "1. Ray Cook SS-4, 2. Type A, 3. Big toe of left foot, 4. No slope, 5. Normal green speed, 6. No wind" and then takes multiple preparatory puttings to set the putting strength as "Level 1 1m / Level 2 4m / Level 3 7m / Level 4 10m / Level 5 14m", and that User A inputs "1. Ray Cook SS-4, 2. Type B, 3. Big toe of left foot, 4. No slope, 5. Normal green speed, 6. No wind" and then takes multiple preparatory puttings to set the putting strength as "Level 1 2m / Level 2 6m / Level 3 10m / Level 4 14m / Level 5 18m". If the distance between user A's golf ball and the hole cup is 4 m and the ground is flat during the putting stage, the current distance of 4 m between the golf ball and the hole cup corresponds to level 2 in type A, so the information providing unit (23) can provide the advice, "Use a Ray Cook SS-4 putter, assume a type A posture, set the golf ball so that it is positioned on the big toe of your left foot, and putt with a putting strength of level 2." If the distance between user A's golf ball and the hole cup is 18 m and the ground is flat during the putting stage, the current distance of 18 m between the golf ball and the hole cup corresponds to level 2 in type B, so the information providing unit (23) can provide the advice, "Use a Ray Cook SS-4 putter, assume a type B posture, set the golf ball so that it is positioned on the big toe of your left foot, and putt with a putting strength of level 5."

[0047] As described above, when there is information about various factors that can affect putting, even if various situations occur during actual putting, information that is the same as or similar to the current situation can be extracted from the information about the various factors to provide the user with appropriate advice.

[0048] While it has been described above that a user can perform multiple preparatory puttings and set putting strengths by dividing into multiple levels based on the distance the virtual golf ball travels on the green during the user's preparatory putting (see FIG. 5 and the description of FIG. 5), it is also possible to set putting strengths by dividing into multiple levels based on other factors instead of the travel distance of the virtual golf ball. For example, multiple putting strengths can be set based on the travel speed and / or travel distance of the actual golf ball putted during the user's preparatory putting.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 10, when a user performs a preliminary putting, the actual golf ball being putted rolls on the floor of the screen golf course at a predetermined speed (V) immediately after impact with the putter. The speed (V) and the distance (D) traveled from the putting point to the point where the actual golf ball stops when it rolls can be used as indicators of the user's putting strength. That is, the greater the user's putting strength, the greater the speed (V) and the distance (D) traveled, and the less the user's putting strength, the greater the speed (V) and the distance (D) traveled. Therefore, multiple levels of putting strength can be set based on the speed (V) / distance (D), and the set values ​​can be stored in an area for storing user putting information in a storage unit, etc. For example, assuming that a plurality of putting intensities are set for user A, which are divided into three levels, level 1 to level 3, the user is requested to putt a plurality of times at an intensity corresponding to each level, starting from level 1 (or level 3) and increasing (or decreasing) in order up to level 3 (or level 1). If the user putts a plurality of times at a predetermined intensity for each level, this can be stored and multiple levels of putting intensities can be set. Specifically, when setting the putting intensity at level 1, if user A takes multiple preparatory putts and the moving speed of the actual golf ball immediately after putting is V1 (e.g., V1 = 2.2 m / s) or less, information that "level 1 putting intensity: V1 or less" can be stored for user A (in this case, it is also possible to configure the system to further store information on the distance traveled on the green by the virtual golf ball corresponding to the actual golf ball that has the corresponding moving speed due to the preparatory putt).Furthermore, when setting a putting intensity of level 2, if user A takes multiple preparatory putts and the actual golf ball's speed immediately after each putt is within the range of "V2-ΔV2 to V2+ΔV2" (e.g., V2=2.6 m / s, ΔV2=0.4 m / s), information "level 2 putting intensity; V2-ΔV2 to V2+ΔV2" can be stored for user A (in this case, it is also possible to configure the device to further store information on the distance traveled on the green by the virtual golf ball corresponding to the actual golf ball that has the relevant speed due to the preparatory putt). Furthermore, when setting a putting intensity of level 3, if user A takes multiple preparatory putts and the actual golf ball's speed immediately after each putt is equal to or greater than V3 (e.g., V3=3.0 m / s), information "level 3 putting intensity; V3 or greater" can be stored for user A (in this case, it is also possible to configure the device to further store information on the distance traveled on the green by the virtual golf ball corresponding to the actual golf ball that has the relevant speed due to the preparatory putt). Using this method, putting intensity can be set based on the speed of the actual golf ball immediately after putting in the preliminary putting, and using a similar method, putting intensity can also be set based on the travel distance of the actual golf ball putted in the preliminary putting. Putting intensity can also be set using multiple indicators rather than just one indicator. For example, multiple levels of putting intensity in the preliminary putting can be set using at least two or more of the various indicators mentioned above (travel distance of the virtual golf ball, speed of the actual golf ball immediately after putting, actual travel distance of the actual golf ball putted) and other indicators not mentioned herein.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 11, if the green has a slope, the putting strength can be recommended taking the slope into consideration. To grasp the slope of the green, the grid (G) and moving object (I) described above with reference to FIG. 7 can be displayed. Furthermore, an indicator (1) with multiple divisions corresponding to the putting strength can be displayed on a flag located on the hole cup, and a recommendation mark (2) can be displayed at the strength level corresponding to the recommended putting strength, thereby informing the user of the recommended putting strength. In addition to the putting strength, putting direction information (3) can be provided, which indicates the appropriate putting direction taking into consideration the slope of the green. When a flag located on the hole cup is located directly in front of the golf ball, the putting direction information (3) can inform the user of the distance to the left or right of the flag to make a putt. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the putting direction information (3) can inform the user to make a putt by targeting a point approximately one golf club's distance to the left of the flag.

[0051] Referring to Figure 12, the putting information provided by the information provider 23 can include information about putting tempo. The information about putting tempo is provided through a tempo bar 4. The tempo bar 4 can be displayed on a screen and / or a separately provided display device such as a kiosk in the form of an animation that repeatedly moves a predetermined distance. As shown in Figure 12, the tempo bar 4 has a predetermined length and is displayed on a flag located on the hole cup. The tempo bar 4 is displayed as an animation image whose length changes, allowing the user to know the putting tempo. Specifically, in the first stage (the leftmost diagram in Figure 12), the tempo bar (4) retains its full original length; in the second stage (the second diagram from the left in Figure 12), the tempo bar (4) moves downward and shrinks from its original length; in the third stage (the middle diagram in Figure 12), the tempo bar (4) moves to the bottom and has no or almost no length; in the fourth stage (the second diagram from the right in Figure 12), the tempo bar (4) moves upward and expands to a certain extent; and in the fifth stage (the rightmost diagram in Figure 12), the tempo bar (4) returns to its original position and retains its full original length. Here, the first stage indicates the point just before or when the putting swing begins, the third stage indicates the point at the top of the backswing, the second stage indicates the point between the first and third stages, the fifth stage indicates the point at which the putter impacts the golf ball, completing the putt, and returns to the initial position at which the putter begins putting, and the fourth stage indicates the point between the third and fifth stages. Among the first through fifth stages, the first, third, and fifth stages are important, and sounds (such as "tick" and "tock" sounds as shown in FIG. 12) may be generated at the first, third, and fifth stages to help users more clearly identify the first, third, and fifth stages. Since each user has a different putting tempo, the user can adjust the speed at which the tempo bar (4) moves to suit their own tempo.For example, a normal putting tempo can be set to about 60 bpm, but if your tempo is too slow and you want to correct it, you can adjust it to about 65-70 bpm, or if your tempo is too fast and you want to correct it, you can adjust it to about 50-55 bpm. The tempo bar (4) provides visual information that is easy for users to recognize, so users can easily grasp the putting tempo that is suitable for them, and if users use the tempo bar (4) to putt at a consistent tempo, putting stability will improve and their putting ability will also improve.

[0052] Referring to Figure 13, a tempo bar 4 may be displayed together with information on the putting strength recommended to the user. To recommend putting strength, an indicator 1 formed with a plurality of divided areas corresponding to a plurality of putting strengths is displayed on the flag, and a recommendation mark 2 is displayed at the strength level corresponding to the recommended putting strength. Along with the recommended putting strength, a tempo bar 4 is displayed that provides information on putting tempo. As shown in Figure 13, the tempo bar 4 has a predetermined length and is displayed so that its length changes depending on the stage of the putting swing. Specifically, in the first stage (the leftmost diagram in Figure 13), the tempo bar (4) retains its entire original length; in the second stage (the second diagram from the left in Figure 13), the tempo bar (4) moves downward and is shortened from its original length; in the third stage (the middle diagram in Figure 13), the tempo bar (4) moves to the midpoint and is at its shortest length; in the fourth stage (the second diagram from the right in Figure 13), the tempo bar (4) moves upward and is somewhat longer than in the third stage; and in the fifth stage (the rightmost diagram in Figure 13), the tempo bar (4) returns to its original position and retains its entire original length. Here, the first stage indicates the time immediately before or when the putting swing is started, the third stage indicates the time at the top of the backswing during putting, the second stage indicates the time between the first and third stages, the fifth stage indicates the time when the putter impacts the golf ball to complete the putting and returns to the initial position where the putting started, and the fourth stage indicates the time between the third and fifth stages. Of the first to fifth stages, the first, third, and fifth stages are important, and sounds (such as "tick" and "tock" sounds as shown in FIG. 13) may be generated at the first, third, and fifth stages to enable the user to more clearly identify the first, third, and fifth stages.

[0053] In the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 12, the tempo bar 4 at the third stage, which indicates the top of the backswing, moves to the floor and is displayed without any length. However, in this embodiment (see FIG. 13), the tempo bar 4 at the third stage moves only to the position where the recommendation mark 2 is displayed. (It is also possible to configure the tempo bar 4 to move to the bottom at the third stage, regardless of the recommendation mark 2.) In other words, in this embodiment, the tempo bar 4 moves only between its initial position and the point where the recommendation mark 2 is displayed. From the user's perspective, the tempo of the movement of the tempo bar 4 allows the user to grasp the appropriate putting tempo (beat), and at the same time, the range of movement of the tempo bar 4 allows the user to easily grasp the appropriate putting strength for the current situation.

[0054] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a virtual golf device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 14, the virtual golf device according to this embodiment includes multiple booths (101, 102, 103). Each booth (101, 102, 103) is identically configured. For example, the first booth (101) includes a striking plate (101a), a computer device (101b) equipped with a kiosk screen, and a screen (101c). 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 device such as a camera for detecting the movement of the golf club / golf ball during impact, as well as other devices. Multiple users can take turns playing golf in each booth (101, 102, 103). Alternatively, each booth (101, 102, 103) can be used for solo play, with only one user playing at a time and separated from other users. The virtual golf device according to this embodiment is provided with an information providing unit as in the previous embodiment (the information providing unit is provided in the computer device (101b) that functions as the control unit in the previous embodiment), and putting information such as putting strength and / or putting tempo can be provided to the user through this information providing unit.

[0055] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a virtual golf system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 15, the virtual golf system includes a virtual golf device 100 and a service device 200. The virtual golf device 100 may be any of those shown in Figures 1 to 14. The virtual golf device 100 is installed at a home or public screen golf course where screen golf can be played. If there are multiple screen golf courses, a virtual golf device 100 is installed at each screen golf course, resulting in a total of multiple virtual golf devices. The virtual golf device 100 is connected to the service device 200 via a wired or wireless communication network. The service device 200 includes a 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.

[0056] The service device 200 includes an information providing unit 210 and a storage unit 220. The information providing unit 210 operates in the same manner as the information providing unit in the virtual golf device according to the above-described embodiment, and can provide putting information such as putting strength and / or putting tempo to the user through the information providing unit 210. Although Fig. 15 shows an example in which the information providing unit 210 is provided in the service device 200, it is also possible to configure the information providing unit to be provided in each of the multiple virtual golf devices 100.

[0057] The storage unit 220 stores various information including golf course information and / or user information. When a user who wishes to use the screen golf service first logs in to receive the service, the service device 200 confirms the user's identity and determines whether to approve the login, and the storage unit 220 stores information for confirming the user's identity. In addition, the storage unit 220 stores user information such as the user's play record and putting information (information on multiple putting strengths, information on putting tempo, etc.) as well as information for confirming the user's identity, and can also store golf course information required for generating an image of a virtual golf course in the virtual golf device 100. As various information is stored in the storage unit 220 in this manner, the virtual golf devices 100 connected to the service device 200 by wire and / or wireless can use the information stored in the storage unit 220, and each virtual golf device 100 does not need to separately store the information stored in the storage unit 220 (it is also possible to configure the storage unit 220 to store only the user information and the golf course information, and the virtual golf device 100 to store the golf course information).

[0058] Specific embodiments of the present invention have been discussed above. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be embodied in various modified forms without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not the foregoing description, and all variations within the scope of the claims should be construed as being within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 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; a calculation unit that calculates a movement of a virtual golf ball corresponding to the actual golf ball on the virtual golf course when the user hits the actual golf ball; an information providing unit that forms putting information to be provided to a user; Including, A plurality of putting intensities are set for the user in advance, The putting information includes information on a recommended putting strength selected from a plurality of different putting strengths set for a user who is about to putt. Virtual golf equipment.

2. The virtual golf device according to claim 1 , wherein the information providing unit selects the recommended putting strength from among a plurality of putting strengths set for the user in consideration of the user's current playing situation.

3. The virtual golf device according to claim 1 , wherein there are a plurality of users, and the plurality of putting intensities can be set to be different for each user.

4. The virtual golf device according to claim 1 , wherein the user can perform preparatory putting a plurality of times with different strengths and set the plurality of different putting strengths according to the results of the preparatory putting.

5. 5. The virtual golf device of claim 4, wherein the results of the preparatory putting include a distance traveled by the user's virtual golf ball on the virtual golf course due to the preparatory putting, a travel speed of the actual golf ball putted in the preparatory putting, and a travel distance of the actual golf ball putted in the preparatory putting.

6. 6. The virtual golf device of claim 1, wherein the putting information further includes information about at least one of a putter, a putting posture, and a position of the actual golf ball during putting.

7. The virtual golf device according to claim 1 , wherein the putting information further includes information regarding putting tempo.

8. The virtual golf device according to claim 7, wherein the information about the putting tempo is provided via the display unit as an animation repeatedly moving a predetermined distance, the predetermined distance varying depending on the recommended putting strength.

9. a service device; at least one virtual golf device communicatively coupled with the service device; an information providing unit provided in the service device or the virtual golf device for forming putting information to be provided to a user; Including, The virtual golf device includes a display unit that displays a virtual golf course, and a calculation unit that calculates a movement of a virtual golf ball corresponding to the actual golf ball on the virtual golf course when a user hits the actual golf ball, A plurality of putting intensities are set for the user in advance, The putting information includes information on a recommended putting strength selected from a plurality of different putting strengths set for a user who is about to putt. Virtual golf system.

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