Golf distance recommendation device considering wind characteristics

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for a golf distance recommendation device to provide a recommended distance taking wind characteristics into consideration is provided, the recommended distance providing method including the steps of: calculating the horizontal distance, vertical distance, and recommended shot distance to the target without taking into account the influence of wind based on measurement information including the straight-line distance from the current position to the target and the slope to the target; calculating a horizontal distance correction value for the horizontal distance based on wind direction and wind speed information; calculating an adjusted landing angle for a preset landing angle based on the wind direction and wind speed information; calculating an additional distance correction value based on the adjusted landing angle and the vertical distance, and adding the calculated additional distance correction value and the horizontal distance correction value to calculate a final recommended distance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a golf distance recommendation device that takes into account wind characteristics, and more particularly, to a golf distance recommendation device that generates recommended distance information to a target in consideration of wind characteristics measured by the device itself.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, as the number of golf facilities such as screen golf courses and indoor golf driving ranges has increased, golf has gradually developed as one of the popular sports in Korea. In particular, while the number of golfers is increasing, the number of golfers playing rounds on the field is also increasing significantly.

[0003] In order for a golfer playing a round on the field to hit a good shot, various factors must be considered. Among them, the most important factors are distance information including the distance from the position of the golf ball to the pin, and weather information including the strength and direction of the wind blowing on the current field. That is, if the distances to bunkers, water hazards, or greens arranged on each course are accurately known, the appropriate club can be selected. If the wind direction and speed of the wind blowing on the current field are known, the strength and direction can be adjusted in consideration of this to hit a precise shot.

[0004] The golf distance measurement methods according to the prior art can be broadly classified into two types. One is the distance measurement method using a laser, and the other is the distance measurement method using GPS. The distance measurement method using a laser emits a laser towards a target object and measures the time it takes for a part of the emitted laser to be reflected by the target object and return. By multiplying the measured time by the speed of the laser, the distance to the target object is measured. Such a laser distance measurement method has the advantage of being able to measure the distance to the target object very accurately by accurately sensing the time it takes for the laser to be reflected and return. However, when used at a distance of more than 200 yards, it is difficult to accurately aim the laser at the target object due to the minute vibration of the hand holding the laser equipment, so there is a problem that it is difficult to use on the tee ground.

[0005] On the other hand, the distance measurement method using GPS (Global Positioning System) is performed by receiving navigation data and PRN codes (Pseudo-Random-Noise codes) by a GPS receiver and calculating the distance from the GPS receiver to each satellite. At this time, if triangulation is performed using the distance information calculated through the GPS receiver, the coordinates in three dimensions can be determined, and from that, the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the GPS receiver can be obtained. Such a distance measurement method using GPS has the advantage of being able to know the corresponding coordinates at any position on the earth. However, since the error range of the coordinates measured by GPS can reach several meters at most, there is a problem that its utilization is low in situations where precise approach shots such as pitch shots and chip shots around the green are required.

[0006] On the other hand, in the field, meteorological characteristics, especially characteristics related to the wind (wind speed and wind direction), have a great influence on the shot.

[0007] Currently, all the technologies are to inform the user in a form that allows the user to confirm the wind characteristics measured by the above-mentioned golf distance measuring device itself or the wind characteristics received from an external server.

[0008] Golfers can check the distance to the target via a laser or GPS, but since they have to consider the influence of the wind themselves, it is very difficult for non-expert golfers to determine the exact shot strength. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0009] An object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the above-described prior art. An object of the present invention is to enable easy shot distance setting from the golfer's perspective by providing a recommended golf distance that reflects the characteristics of the wind. The object of the present invention is not limited to the above-described object, and another object not described above will be clearly understood from the following description. MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, a method for a golf distance recommendation device to provide a recommended distance considering wind characteristics, the method comprising: calculating a horizontal distance to the target, a vertical distance to the target, and a recommended shot distance without considering the influence of the wind based on measurement information including a straight-line distance from the current position to the target and a slope to the target; calculating a horizontal distance correction value for the horizontal distance based on wind direction and wind speed information; calculating an adjusted landing angle for a preset landing angle based on wind direction and wind speed information; calculating an additional distance correction value based on the adjusted landing angle and the vertical distance, and adding the calculated additional distance correction value and the horizontal distance correction value to calculate a final recommended distance. A recommended distance providing method is provided.

[0011] The step of calculating the horizontal distance correction value may include: calculating a first rate that is applied differently according to the wind direction with respect to the target direction; calculating a second rate that is proportional to the wind speed, inversely proportional to the horizontal distance, and proportional to the first rate; and adding or subtracting the product of the horizontal distance and the second rate to / from the horizontal distance to obtain the horizontal distance correction value.

[0012] The second rate may be a value to which a coefficient is applied so that it is calculated to be even higher in the case of headwind than in the case of tailwind.

[0013] The step of calculating the adjusted landing angle may include: calculating a landing angle correction value that is proportional to the wind speed, inversely proportional to the preset landing angle, and proportional to the first rate; and adding or subtracting the landing angle correction value to / from the preset landing angle to obtain the adjusted landing angle.

[0014] The landing angle correction value may be a value to which a coefficient is applied so that it is calculated to be even higher in the case of headwind than in the case of tailwind.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a golf distance recommendation device including: a wind characteristic measurement unit that measures the wind direction and wind speed; a distance measurement unit that calculates the horizontal distance, vertical distance, and recommended shot distance to the target without considering the influence of the wind based on measurement information including the straight-line distance from the current position to the target and the slope to the target; and a wind influence reflection unit that calculates a horizontal distance correction value for the horizontal distance based on the wind direction and wind speed information, calculates an adjusted landing angle for a preset landing angle based on the wind direction and wind speed information, then calculates an additional distance correction value based on the adjusted landing angle and the vertical distance, and sums the calculated additional distance correction value and the horizontal distance correction value to calculate the final recommended distance.

Advantages of the Invention

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, since the recommended golf distance is provided by reflecting the characteristics of the wind, it becomes possible to easily set the shot distance from the golfer's perspective.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] The detailed description of the present invention described below refers to the accompanying drawings that illustrate specific embodiments in which the present invention can be implemented as examples. These embodiments are described in detail so that those skilled in the art can sufficiently implement the present invention. It should be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention are different from each other but do not necessarily have to be mutually exclusive. For example, the specific shapes, structures, and characteristics described herein can be realized in other embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention in relation to one embodiment. Also, it should be understood that the position or arrangement of individual components within each disclosed embodiment can be changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the detailed description to be described below is not intended to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is limited only by the appended claims together with all ranges equivalent to those claimed by the claims when appropriately described. Similar reference numerals in the figures refer to the same or similar functions across various aspects.

[0019] Hereinafter, in order to enable those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains to easily implement the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a golf distance recommendation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a wind characteristic measurement unit 110 can be mounted on at least a part of the distance recommendation device 100.

[0021] FIG. 1 shows, as an example of the distance recommendation device 100, a first objective lens L1 that receives light from an external object or a subject, and a second objective lens L2 that receives the reflected laser when the laser emitted from the distance recommendation device 100 is reflected by a target, and an eyepiece lens L3 that enables a golfer to visually confirm the subject with the naked eye. A laser rangefinder including these is shown, but according to an embodiment of the present invention, it may be replaced with a GPS-based rangefinder or other device.

[0022] That is, regardless of the type of device, it should be understood that if the wind characteristic measurement unit 110 described below is mounted, it belongs to the scope of the present invention.

[0023] In the distance recommendation device 100 shown in FIG. 1, the wind characteristic measurement unit 110 can be mounted between the first objective lens L1 and the second objective lens L2.

[0024] On the other hand, the distance recommendation device 100 can be provided with a button 120 for activating the wind characteristic measurement unit 110.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram for explaining the operation of the wind characteristic measurement unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, the wind characteristic measurement unit 110 mounted on the distance recommendation device 100 can be configured to include a plurality of voice reception units M1, M2, M3, for example, microphones.

[0026] Although FIG. 2 shows that three voice reception units M1, M2, M3 are provided, it is sufficient if a plurality of voice reception units are included.

[0027] The distances between the centers of the plurality of voice reception units M1, M2, M3 and the center of the wind characteristic measurement unit 110 are all arranged to be the same. Also, it is preferable that the distances between the centers of the adjacent voice reception units M1, M2, M3 are all arranged to be the same.

[0028] Each of the voice receivers M1, M2, and M3 can receive airflow noise generated by a discontinuous surface of air. For this purpose, each of the voice receivers M1, M2, and M3 can further include a component that forms a discontinuous surface of air, for example, a suction guide. When the wind blows, the air scatters due to the discontinuous surface and a partial pressure change occurs. This pressure change forms a sound pressure and generates airflow noise. However, the suction guides of the voice receivers M1, M2, and M3 can be manufactured in a shape for causing air scattering and air flow. The noise received by the voice receivers M1, M2, and M3 can be converted into a digital signal by an A / D converter and can be filtered by a filter that allows only the frequency band corresponding to the wind noise to pass through.

[0029] The wind speed is calculated by a software method, but a wind speed value can be calculated based on the levels of the signals received, converted, and filtered by the plurality of voice receivers M1, M2, and M3.

[0030] Also, the wind direction can be calculated by a software method. However, based on the ratio between the levels of the noise signals collected by the plurality of voice receivers M1, M2, and M3 uniformly arranged at each azimuth angle with respect to the center of the wind characteristic measurement unit 110, the current wind direction can be determined. For example, if voice signals are received by the voice receivers M1, M2, and M3 in the form shown in FIG. 2, it can be confirmed that the wind blows in the direction in which the wind shear sound is most greatly formed by the second voice receiver M2 and the wind shear sound is most slightly formed by the third voice receiver M3. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the wind characteristics measured by the method as described above, that is, the wind direction and wind speed data, can be reflected in the generation of golf distance recommendation information.

[0031] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 3, a method for providing golf distance recommendation information according to an embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a distance recommendation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 3, a distance recommendation device 100 according to an embodiment can include a wind characteristic measurement unit 110, a button 120, a user input information receiving unit 130, a distance measurement unit 140, a wind influence reflection unit 150, and a display unit 160.

[0033] Some operation modules of the wind characteristic measurement unit 110, the user input information receiving unit 130, the distance measurement unit 140, and the wind influence reflection unit 150 can be program modules or hardware that can communicate with an external device. Such program modules or hardware can be included in the distance recommendation device 100 or other devices communicable therewith in the form of an operating system, an application module, and other program modules, and can be physically stored on various known storage devices. On the other hand, such program modules or hardware include, but are not limited to, routines, subroutines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform specific operations described later according to the present invention or execute specific abstract data types.

[0034] The wind characteristic measurement unit 110 functions to measure the current wind characteristics, that is, the wind direction and wind speed, in the manner described with reference to FIG. 2. For this purpose, the wind characteristic measurement unit 110 can include a plurality of voice receiving units, an A / D converter, a filter unit, etc.

[0035] As described with reference to FIG. 1, the button 120 functions to turn the wind characteristic measurement unit 110 on / off when operated by a golfer.

[0036] The user input information receiving unit 130 functions to receive reference information input from the distance recommendation device 100 or a separate device communicable therewith, such as a separate smart device. Here, the reference information is information for determining an angle between the direction in which the golf ball falls to the ground and a perpendicular line after the golfer makes a shot, that is, the landing angle, and the landing angle is utilized to calculate the recommended distance of the shot to send the golf ball to the target.

[0037] The reference information can be, for example, the distance that a golf ball can be sent when a shot is made using a 7-iron 7i for each golfer. Such reference information may be input by the user or may be preset (for example, 140 m or 150 m).

[0038] The distance measurement unit 140 performs a function of calculating a recommended distance at which a shot should be made to send a golf ball to the target without considering the characteristics of the wind, with reference to the straight-line distance to the target, the inclination angle, the reference information, and the like.

[0039] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 4, a method for calculating the recommended distance at which the distance measurement unit 140 does not consider the characteristics of the wind will be described. Referring to FIG. 4, first, the distance measurement unit 140 measures the straight-line distance A from the current position of the current distance recommendation device 100, that is, the position of the golfer, to the target T. For example, after emitting a laser toward the target, by measuring the time for a part of the emitted laser to be reflected by the target and return, and multiplying the measured time by the speed of the laser, the distance to the target can be measured.

[0040] Here, it is assumed that the straight-line distance A measured in such a manner is 170 m. On the other hand, the distance measurement unit 140 can measure the inclination angle B between the current position and the position of the target. A gyro sensor can be included for measuring the inclination angle B. It is assumed that the measured inclination angle B is -7°, that is, the target T exists at a position with a downward slope inclination of 7° based on the position of the distance recommendation device 100.

[0041] The distance measurement unit 140 can calculate the horizontal distance X and the vertical distance Y from the current position to the target T with reference to the straight-line distance A and the inclination angle B as shown in the following equations 1 and 2. [Equation 1] TIFF0007709759000001.tif10106 [Formula 2] TIFF0007709759000002.tif9106 A negative (-) vertical distance Y means that the target T is downward from the current position of the golfer.

[0042] On the other hand, the distance measurement unit 140 calculates an additional distance Z for sending the golf ball to the target T as shown in the following formula 3. [Formula 3] TIFF0007709759000003.tif1037 In formula 3, C is the landing angle described above and can vary according to the reference information input by the user or preset, that is, the shot distance of the 7-iron. This can be extracted using information stored in table form. For example, the landing angles for different reference distances of the 7-iron may be pre-stored as shown in Table 1 below.

Table 1

[0043] Assuming that the user inputs 150 m as the reference information, the landing angle, that is, the C value in formula 3, is 44°. Therefore, the additional distance Z is -20 m (= (-20 m) · tan(44°)). When the wind is not considered, in the current state, the recommended distance for the user is calculated as the sum of the horizontal distance X to the target T and the additional distance Z, and in the above example, 148.7 m (= 168.7 m - 20 m) can be calculated.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 3 again, according to an embodiment, the wind influence reflection unit 150 functions to calculate the final recommended distance by reflecting the influence of the wind on the recommended distance calculated by the distance measurement unit 140. First, the wind influence reflection unit 150 calculates the wind direction with respect to the straight line connecting the current position and the target T. Since the absolute direction of the wind is measured by the wind characteristic measurement unit 110, the wind influence reflection unit 150 can thereby calculate the wind direction WD with respect to the straight line. The direction of the target T from the current position can be confirmed from the direction of the target T set during the distance measurement.

[0045] For example, as shown in FIG. 5, if the wind direction WD is 0 to 90° or 271 to 359° with respect to the target direction TD, it is a tailwind, that is, a wind blowing from the rear to the front, and if the wind direction WD is 91 to 270°, it is a headwind, that is, a wind blowing from the front to the rear. Here, it is assumed that the wind direction WD is 270°.

[0046] In addition, the wind influence reflection unit 150 calculates a first rate WER applied according to the wind direction. When the wind direction WD with respect to the direction of the target T is 180° or less, the first rate WER is calculated according to the following formula 4. [Formula 4] TIFF0007709759000005.tif3057 When the wind direction WD exceeds 180° and is 359° or less, the first rate WER is calculated according to the following formula 5. [Formula 5] TIFF0007709759000006.tif2961

[0047] The first rate WER is a variable for reflecting the degree of influence of the wind speed applied to the golf ball according to the wind direction WD, has a value of 0 or more and 1 or less, and when the wind direction WD is 0° or 180°, the first rate WER becomes 1 according to the formula 4. That is, when the wind direction WD coincides with the direction of the target T or is completely in the opposite direction, the wind speed is directly reflected in the calculation of the final recommended distance.

[0048] In the above assumption, since the wind direction WD is 270°, according to the formula 5, the rate WER becomes 0. Further, the wind influence reflection unit 150 calculates a second rate WDR that is the influence on the horizontal distance X to the target T according to the wind speed WP measured by the wind characteristic measurement unit 110, that is, the influence received while the golf ball remains in the air.

[0049] First, when the wind direction WD is 0 to 90° or 271 to 359° (in the case of following wind), the second rate WDR can be calculated by the following formula 6. [Formula 6] TIFF0007709759000007.tif1762 In the formula 6, k1 is a following wind coefficient and can be set to, for example, 1.2.

[0050] Also, when the wind direction WD is 90 to 270° (in the case of headwind), the second rate WDR can be calculated by the following formula 7. [Formula 7] TIFF0007709759000008.tif1662 In the formula 7, k2 is a headwind coefficient and can be set to, for example, 2.5.

[0051] As can be seen from formula 6 and formula 7, the second rate WDR is set to be proportional to the wind speed WP, inversely proportional to the horizontal distance X, and calculated to be higher in the case of headwind than in the case of following wind. As described above, when the wind direction WD is 270°, since the first rate WER is 0, the second rate WDR is also 0.

[0052] On the other hand, the wind influence reflection unit 150 calculates a landing angle correction value WAA due to the influence of the wind. First, when the wind direction WD is 0 to 90° or 271 to 359° (in the case of following wind), the landing angle correction value WAA can be calculated by the following formula 8. [Formula 8] TIFF0007709759000009.tif1763 In the formula 6, k3 is a following wind coefficient and can be set to, for example, 62.

[0053] Also, when the wind direction WD is 90 to 270° (front wind), the landing angle correction value WAA can be calculated by the following Equation 9. [Equation 9] TIFF0007709759000010.tif1662 In Equation 9, k4 is the front wind coefficient and can be set to, for example, 100.

[0054] As can be seen from Equations 6 and 7, the landing angle correction value WAA is proportional to the wind speed WP and inversely proportional to the original landing angle C, and is set to be calculated higher in the case of front wind than in the case of rear wind.

[0055] As described above, if the wind direction WD is 270°, since the first rate WER is 0, the landing angle correction value WAA also becomes 0. The wind influence reflection unit 150 calculates an adjusted landing angle WLA based on the landing angle correction value WAA.

[0056] When the wind direction WD is 0 to 90° or 271 to 359° (rear wind), the adjusted landing angle WLA is calculated by adding the landing angle correction value WAA to the landing angle C, and when the wind direction WD is 90 to 270° (front wind), the adjusted landing angle WLA is calculated by subtracting the landing angle correction value WAA from the landing angle C.

[0057] In the above example, if the wind direction WD is 270°, since the landing angle correction value WAA is 0, the adjusted landing angle WLA still becomes 44°. The wind influence reflection unit 150 calculates a correction value Wx of the horizontal distance X based on the second rate WDR described with reference to Equations 6 and 7.

[0058] First, when the wind direction WD is 0 to 90° or 271 to 359° (rear wind), the horizontal distance correction value Wx is calculated by the following Equation 10. [Equation 10] TIFF0007709759000011.tif1157 Also, when the wind direction WD is between 90° and 270° (front wind), the horizontal distance correction value Wx can be calculated by the following Equation 11. [Equation 11] TIFF0007709759000012.tif1056

[0059] On the other hand, an additional distance correction value WAD for sending the golf ball to the target T based on the adjusted landing angle WLA is calculated as shown in the following Equation 12. [Equation 12] TIFF0007709759000013.tif1258 In the above example, when the wind direction is 270°, since the adjusted landing angle WLA is 44°, the additional distance correction value WAD is -20 m.

[0060] The wind influence reflection unit 150 finally calculates the final recommended distance reflecting the influence of the wind by adding up the horizontal distance correction value Wx and the additional distance correction value WAD. In the above example, since the horizontal distance correction value Wx and the additional distance correction value WAD are 168.7 m and -20 m respectively, the final recommended distance is 148.7 m.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 6, the measured and calculated values can be displayed in a form that can be confirmed by the user via the display unit 160 of the distance recommendation device 100, for example, through a viewfinder. Referring to FIG. 6, the wind speed, wind direction, straight-line distance to the target, and the final recommended distance considering the wind characteristics can be displayed together.

[0062] According to an embodiment of the present invention, since the recommended golf distance is provided by reflecting the characteristics of the wind, it is possible to easily set the shot distance from the perspective of the golfer.

[0063] The above description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes, and those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains will understand that it can be easily modified into other specific forms without changing the technical idea or essential features of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in every aspect and not restrictive. For example, each component described as a single type may be implemented distributively, and similarly, components described as distributive may also be implemented in a combined form.

[0064] The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims described below, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts should be construed as being included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for a golf distance recommendation device to provide a recommended distance considering wind characteristics, comprising: calculating a horizontal distance, a vertical distance, and a recommended shot distance to a target without considering the influence of wind based on measurement information including the straight-line distance from the current position to the target and the slope to the target; calculating a horizontal distance correction value for the horizontal distance based on the wind direction and wind speed information measured by a wind characteristic measurement unit included in the golf distance recommendation device; calculating an adjusted landing angle for a preset landing angle based on the wind direction and wind speed information measured by the wind characteristic measurement unit; calculating an additional distance correction value based on the adjusted landing angle and the vertical distance, and adding the calculated additional distance correction value and the horizontal distance correction value to calculate a final recommended distance; the wind characteristic measurement unit includes a plurality of voice reception units that receive airflow noise; the step of calculating the horizontal distance correction value includes: calculating a wind speed value based on the levels of signals received by the plurality of voice reception units; determining the wind direction based on the ratio between the levels of signals received by the plurality of voice reception units. A method for providing a recommended distance.

2. a wind characteristic measurement unit that measures wind direction and wind speed; a distance measurement unit that calculates a horizontal distance, a vertical distance, and a recommended shot distance to a target without considering the influence of wind based on measurement information including the straight-line distance from the current position to the target and the slope to the target; a wind influence reflection unit that calculates a horizontal distance correction value for the horizontal distance based on the wind direction and wind speed information, calculates an adjusted landing angle for a preset landing angle based on the wind direction and wind speed information, then calculates an additional distance correction value based on the adjusted landing angle and the vertical distance, and adds the calculated additional distance correction value and the horizontal distance correction value to calculate a final recommended distance; the wind characteristic measurement unit includes a plurality of voice reception units that receive airflow noise; the wind characteristic measurement unit calculates a wind speed value based on the levels of signals received by the plurality of voice reception units; the wind characteristic measurement unit determines the wind direction based on the ratio between the levels of signals received by the plurality of voice reception units. A golf distance recommendation device.

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