Method and system for determining view point information on virtual golf simulator

Abstract

According to one aspect of the present invention, provided is a method for determining view point information on a virtual golf simulator, the method comprising the steps of: acquiring at least one of first information about pressure applied to the ground by a user and second information about a golf shot of the user; and determining view point information about a virtual golf simulator with reference to at least one of the first information and the second information.

Description

Method and system for determining viewpoint information on a virtual golf simulator

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and system for determining viewpoint information on a virtual golf simulator.

[0002] With the recent increase in leisure time and the growing number of people enjoying golf, the domestic and international golf industry is experiencing steady growth. Furthermore, virtual golf simulators, which allow golfers to enjoy the game at a low cost in urban areas, are gaining popularity.

[0003] The basic concept of these virtual golf simulators is to estimate the direction of travel of a golf ball by analyzing images of captured golf shots, perform simulations based on this, and display the simulation results on the screen.

[0004] As an example of a prior art method for determining viewpoint information in a virtual golf simulator, a technique has been proposed that allows the viewpoint in the virtual golf simulator to move in the direction of the golf ball's travel when the user strikes the golf ball with a golf club. However, this prior art has the problem that changes in the user's posture are not reflected in the viewpoint information in the virtual golf simulator, potentially hindering the user's sense of immersion.

[0005] Accordingly, the inventor(s) of the present invention propose a technology that supports maximizing the user's sense of immersion by obtaining at least one of first information regarding the pressure applied by the user to the ground and second information regarding the user's golf shot, and determining viewpoint information on a virtual golf simulator by referring to at least one of the first information and the second information.

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to solve all of the problems of the above-mentioned prior art.

[0007] In addition, the present invention has another purpose of obtaining at least one of first information regarding pressure applied by a user to the ground and second information regarding a golf shot of the user, and determining viewpoint information on a virtual golf simulator by referring to at least one of the first information and the second information.

[0008] In addition, another purpose of the present invention is to support maximizing the user's sense of immersion by allowing changes in the user's posture to be reflected in viewpoint information on a virtual golf simulator.

[0009] In addition, another object of the present invention is to enable point-of-view information to be determined that matches the user's play situation by dynamically determining point-of-view information according to the user's play situation on a virtual golf simulator.

[0010] A representative configuration of the present invention to achieve the above purpose is as follows.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided, comprising the steps of obtaining at least one of first information regarding pressure applied to the ground by a user and second information regarding a golf shot of the user, and determining viewpoint information on a virtual golf simulator by referring to at least one of the first information and the second information.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, a system is provided, including an information acquisition unit that acquires at least one of first information regarding pressure applied to the ground by a user and second information regarding a golf shot of the user, and a point-of-view information determination unit that determines point-of-view information on a virtual golf simulator by referring to at least one of the first information and the second information.

[0013] In addition, a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium recording another method for implementing the present invention, another system, and a computer program for executing the method are further provided.

[0014] According to the present invention, at least one of first information regarding pressure applied to the ground by a user and second information regarding a golf shot of the user can be obtained, and point-of-view information on a virtual golf simulator can be determined by referring to at least one of the first information and the second information.

[0015] In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to support maximizing the user's sense of immersion by allowing the user's posture change to be reflected in the viewpoint information on the virtual golf simulator.

[0016] In addition, according to the present invention, by dynamically determining viewpoint information according to the user's play situation on a virtual golf simulator, viewpoint information suitable for the user's play situation can be determined.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of an entire system for determining viewpoint information on a virtual golf simulator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing in detail the internal configuration of a point-in-time information management system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a diagram exemplarily illustrating a situation in which first information is obtained according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a diagram exemplarily illustrating a situation in which point information is determined according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] <Explanation of symbols>

[0022] 100: Communications network

[0023] 200: Point-in-time information management system

[0024] 210: Information Acquisition Department

[0025] 220: Point of view information determination unit

[0026] 230: Communications Department

[0027] 240: Control Unit

[0028] 300: Device

[0029] 310: Pressure sensor

[0030] 311: Left foot

[0031] 312: Right foot

[0032] 313: Center of gravity

[0033] 320: Image sensor

[0034] 400: Reference point direction

[0035] 410: First view direction

[0036] 420: Second view direction

[0037] The following detailed description of the present invention refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present invention. It should be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention, while different from each other, are not necessarily mutually exclusive. For example, specific shapes, structures, and characteristics described herein may be modified and implemented from one embodiment to another without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Furthermore, it should be understood that the positions or arrangements of individual components within each embodiment may also be modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is to be construed to encompass the scope of the claims and all equivalents thereof. Like reference numerals in the drawings represent the same or similar elements throughout the several aspects.

[0038] Hereinafter, various preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can easily practice the present invention.

[0039] Composition of the entire system

[0040] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of an entire system for determining viewpoint information on a virtual golf simulator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the entire system according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a communication network (100), a point-in-time information management system (200), and a device (300).

[0042] First, the communication network (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention can be configured regardless of the communication mode such as wired communication or wireless communication, and can be configured with various communication networks such as a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), and a wide area network (WAN). Preferably, the communication network (100) referred to herein may be the well-known Internet or the World Wide Web (WWW). However, the communication network (100) is not necessarily limited thereto, and may include at least a portion of a well-known wired or wireless data communication network, a well-known telephone network, or a well-known wired or wireless television communication network.

[0043] For example, the communication network (100) may be a wireless data communication network that implements conventional communication methods such as WiFi communication, WiFi-Direct communication, Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication, 5G communication, Bluetooth communication (including Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication), infrared communication, ultrasonic communication, etc., at least in part. As another example, the communication network (100) may be an optical communication network that implements conventional communication methods such as LiFi (Light Fidelity), etc., at least in part.

[0044] Next, the point-of-view information management system (200) according to one embodiment of the present invention may perform a function of obtaining at least one of first information regarding pressure applied to the ground by the user and second information regarding the user's golf shot, and determining point-of-view information on a virtual golf simulator by referring to at least one of the first information and the second information.

[0045] The configuration and function of the point-in-time information management system (200) according to the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0046] Next, a device (300) according to one embodiment of the present invention is a digital device that includes a function for communicating after connecting to a point-of-view information management system (200), and any digital device that has a memory means, a microprocessor, and a computing capability, such as a smart phone, a tablet, a smart watch, a smart band, smart glasses, a desktop computer, a notebook computer, a workstation, a PDA, a web pad, a mobile phone, etc., can be adopted as the device (300) according to the present invention.

[0047] In particular, the device (300) may include an application (not shown) that supports a user to receive functions according to the present invention from the point-of-view information management system (200). Such an application may be downloaded from the point-of-view information management system (200) or an external application distribution server (not shown). Meanwhile, the nature of such an application may be generally similar to the information acquisition unit (210), the point-of-view information determination unit (220), the communication unit (230), and the control unit (240) of the point-of-view information management system (200), which will be described later. Here, at least a part of the application may be replaced with a hardware device or firmware device that can perform functions substantially identical to or equivalent thereto, as necessary.

[0048] Composition of the point-in-time information management system

[0049] Below, the internal configuration and functions of each component of the point-in-time information management system (200) that performs important functions for implementing the present invention will be examined.

[0050] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing in detail the internal configuration of a point-in-time information management system (200) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] As illustrated in FIG. 2, a point-in-time information management system (200) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include an information acquisition unit (210), a point-in-time information determination unit (220), a communication unit (230), and a control unit (240). According to one embodiment of the present invention, at least some of the information acquisition unit (210), the point-in-time information determination unit (220), the communication unit (230), and the control unit (240) may be program modules that communicate with an external system (not shown). These program modules may be included in the point-in-time information management system (200) in the form of an operating system, an application program module, or other program modules, and may be physically stored in various known memory devices. In addition, these program modules may be stored in a remote memory device that can communicate with the point-in-time information management system (200). Meanwhile, these program modules include, but are not limited to, routines, subroutines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform specific tasks or execute specific abstract data types, which will be described later, according to the present invention.

[0052] Meanwhile, although the point-in-time information management system (200) has been described as above, this description is exemplary, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that at least some of the components or functions of the point-in-time information management system (200) may be realized within a device (300) or a server (not shown) or included within an external system (not shown) as needed.

[0053] First, the information acquisition unit (210) according to one embodiment of the present invention can perform a function of acquiring at least one of first information regarding pressure applied to the ground by the user and second information regarding the user's golf shot.

[0054] Specifically, the first information according to one embodiment of the present invention may include information regarding the pressure exerted by the user's two feet on the ground (e.g., the batting cage). Furthermore, the first information according to one embodiment of the present invention may also include information regarding at least one of the position and direction of the user's feet. Furthermore, the first information according to one embodiment of the present invention may include information regarding the center of the positions of the user's left and right feet (i.e., the center of both feet). However, the information included in the first information according to one embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the examples described above, and any information that can be acquired in connection with the user's movements may be included in the first information.

[0055] Additionally, the second information according to one embodiment of the present invention may include at least one of flight information of the golf ball (e.g., speed of the golf ball, launch direction of the golf ball, spin of the golf ball, etc.) and information regarding the movement of the golf club (e.g., speed information of the golf club, information regarding the face angle of the golf club, etc.). However, the information regarding the golf shot according to one embodiment of the present invention may include various information in addition to the above-described information, and any information that can be obtained in connection with the golf shot may be included in the second information.

[0056] For example, according to one embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the first information and the second information may be acquired from at least one pressure sensor that can be placed on the ground. In other words, the information acquisition unit (210) according to one embodiment of the present invention may acquire at least one of the first information and the second information from at least one pressure sensor that can be placed on the ground.

[0057] For example, at least one pressure sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention may be included in a mat placed on the ground. Here, the information acquisition unit (210) according to one embodiment of the present invention may acquire first information about the pressure that the user applies to the ground from the at least one pressure sensor in response to the user's two feet being positioned on the mat. Meanwhile, the at least one pressure sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention may detect a specific point in an area where the foot comes into contact with the ground as the position of the foot, but may also detect the entire area where the foot comes into contact with the ground as the position of the foot. Accordingly, the information acquisition unit (210) according to one embodiment of the present invention may acquire information about a specific point (e.g., a heel, etc.) in an area where the foot comes into contact with the ground as the first information, and may also acquire information about the entire area where the foot comes into contact with the ground as the first information.

[0058] For another example, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the second information may be acquired from at least one image sensor. In other words, the information acquisition unit (210) according to one embodiment of the present invention may acquire the second information from at least one image sensor.

[0059] For example, at least one image sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention may include an image sensor that captures a plurality of consecutive images. Here, at least one image sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention may be provided in a device, for example, a golf launch monitor, but is not limited thereto.

[0060] Meanwhile, the information acquisition unit (210) according to one embodiment of the present invention may acquire first information from at least one image sensor. That is, the information acquisition unit (210) according to one embodiment of the present invention may detect the position of the user's feet from at least one image sensor, and acquire ground position information corresponding to the pressure applied by the user to the ground from the detected foot position as first information. In other words, the first information regarding the pressure applied by the user to the ground does not necessarily have to be acquired by the pressure sensor, but may also be acquired from the image sensor.

[0061] As another example, the first information according to one embodiment of the present invention may include information regarding the user's center of gravity (e.g., center of gravity location information). Here, the information acquisition unit (210) according to one embodiment of the present invention may acquire information regarding the user's center of gravity as the first information.

[0062] FIG. 3 is a diagram exemplarily illustrating a situation in which first information is obtained according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] Referring to (a), (b), and (c) of FIG. 3, the information acquisition unit (210) according to one embodiment of the present invention can acquire at least one of the pressure information of the left foot (311) and the pressure information of the right foot (312) from at least one pressure sensor. Here, the information acquisition unit (210) according to one embodiment of the present invention can calculate information about the center of gravity (313) based on at least one of the pressure information of the left foot (311) and the pressure information of the right foot (312), and acquire information about the center of gravity as first information.

[0064] For example, referring to (b) of FIG. 3, according to one embodiment of the present invention, when a user moves the right foot (312) in the ventral direction, the center of gravity (313) may move in the ventral direction. Here, the information acquisition unit (210) according to one embodiment of the present invention may acquire information about the center of gravity, and the point-of-view information determination unit (220), which will be described later, may calculate the direction in which the center of gravity moves (e.g., the center of gravity moves in the ventral direction) or the size (e.g., the center of gravity moves 15 cm).

[0065] For another example, referring to (c) of FIG. 3, according to one embodiment of the present invention, when a user moves the left foot (311) in a dorsal direction, the center of gravity (313) may move in the dorsal direction. Here, the information acquisition unit (210) according to one embodiment of the present invention may acquire information about the center of gravity, and the viewpoint information determination unit (220), which will be described later, may calculate the direction in which the center of gravity moves (e.g., the center of gravity moves in the dorsal direction) or the size (e.g., a 15 cm movement).

[0066] Meanwhile, as previously discussed, although not shown in FIG. 3, information about the center of gravity may be obtained by detecting the position of the foot from at least one image sensor rather than from at least one pressure sensor.

[0067] Next, the point-in-time information determination unit (220) according to one embodiment of the present invention can perform a function of determining point-in-time information on a virtual golf simulator by referring to at least one of the first information and the second information.

[0068] Specifically, a virtual golf simulator according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a screen golf system or a system for driving a screen golf system. For example, a virtual golf simulator according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a system that simulates the results of a golf shot in a virtual space in response to a user's golf shot and displays the results, thereby supporting a user to play golf on a virtual golf course.

[0069] In addition, the viewpoint information according to one embodiment of the present invention may include at least one of information regarding the enlargement or reduction of the viewpoint on the virtual golf simulator, information regarding the direction of the viewpoint, information regarding the position of the viewpoint, and information regarding the movement of the viewpoint. Here, the viewpoint according to one embodiment of the present invention may be a first-person viewpoint or a third-person viewpoint based on the user, but is not limited thereto, and may be a first-person or third-person viewpoint based on the golf ball by tracking the flight trajectory of the golf ball, or may be a top-down viewpoint that displays the entire golf course.

[0070] According to one embodiment of the present invention, in order to determine the viewpoint information by referring to at least one of the first information and the second information, it may be necessary to determine the reference viewpoint information in a situation where the user is stationary (or the change in posture is below a reference value).

[0071] For example, the point-in-time information determination unit (220) according to one embodiment of the present invention may determine the reference point-in-time information on the virtual golf simulator as the point-in-time information in response to determining that the change in the user's posture is below a reference value and that the golf ball has not been hit.

[0072] FIG. 4 is a diagram exemplarily illustrating a situation in which point information is determined according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 4, as a specific example, the point-of-view information determination unit (220) according to one embodiment of the present invention may determine that the user has assumed a striking preparation posture for a golf swing and has stopped, if the change in the user's posture is below a reference value and the golf ball has not yet been hit. Here, the point-of-view information determination unit (220) according to one embodiment of the present invention may determine a reference point-of-view direction (400) based on the corresponding posture of the user, and determine the reference point-of-view direction (400) as reference point-of-view information.

[0074] For another example, the viewpoint information determination unit (220) according to one embodiment of the present invention may calculate the direction or size of movement of the user's center of gravity based on the first information, and dynamically determine the viewpoint information by referring to the direction or size of movement of the center of gravity.

[0075] Referring to FIG. 3 (b) and FIG. 4, as a specific example, according to one embodiment of the present invention, it can be assumed that the user moves the right foot (312) in the ventral direction. Here, the viewpoint information determination unit (220) according to one embodiment of the present invention can estimate that the user's gaze direction changes counterclockwise, determine the viewpoint direction as the first viewpoint direction (410), and determine the first viewpoint direction (410) as viewpoint information. In addition, the viewpoint information determination unit (220) according to one embodiment of the present invention can also dynamically determine the viewpoint information so that the viewpoint direction changes from the reference viewpoint direction (400) to the first viewpoint direction (410).

[0076] Conversely, referring to (c) of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, for another specific example, it may be assumed that the user moves the left foot (311) in the dorsal direction. Here, the viewpoint information determination unit (220) according to one embodiment of the present invention may estimate that the user's gaze direction changes clockwise, determine the viewpoint direction as the second viewpoint direction (420), and determine the second viewpoint direction (420) as viewpoint information. In addition, the viewpoint information determination unit (220) according to one embodiment of the present invention may dynamically determine the viewpoint information so that the viewpoint direction changes from the reference viewpoint direction (400) to the second viewpoint direction (420).

[0077] Referring to (b) and (c) of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, as another specific example, the viewpoint information determination unit (220) according to one embodiment of the present invention can determine that the greater the amount by which the center of gravity moves, the greater the change in the viewpoint direction (i.e., the degree to which the viewpoint changes). In other words, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the greater the amount by which the center of gravity moves, the greater the degree to which the user's body rotates, and further, the greater the change in the viewpoint direction from the reference viewpoint direction.

[0078] Therefore, according to the present invention, viewpoint information (e.g., viewpoint direction) can be dynamically determined according to the direction or size of movement of the center of gravity, thereby maximizing the user's sense of immersion.

[0079] Meanwhile, the information acquisition unit (210) according to one embodiment of the present invention can further acquire third information regarding the user's playing situation on the virtual golf simulator. Here, the point-of-view information determination unit (220) according to one embodiment of the present invention can dynamically determine point-of-view information by further referencing the third information.

[0080] Specifically, the third information according to one embodiment of the present invention may include at least one of information regarding the user's playing position on the virtual golf course, score information regarding the user's playing situation, and weather information. However, the third information according to the present invention may include additional information in addition to the information described above, and various play information may be included within the scope that achieves the purpose of the present invention.

[0081] For example, the information acquisition unit (210) according to one embodiment of the present invention can acquire third information from a virtual golf simulator or an external system associated with the virtual golf simulator.

[0082] For another example, the viewpoint information determination unit (220) according to one embodiment of the present invention may dynamically determine the viewpoint information by further referring to third information (e.g., information regarding whether the user is positioned on the green on the virtual golf course). Here, the viewpoint information determination unit (220) according to one embodiment of the present invention may determine a viewpoint change scenario in response to the user's center of gravity moving toward the target direction (i.e., from the user's location to the hole cup) or the user's center of gravity moving in the opposite direction of the target (i.e., from the hole cup to the user's location). In addition, the viewpoint change scenario according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a dynamic change scenario of a pre-stored viewpoint.

[0083] For example, a viewpoint change scenario according to an embodiment of the present invention may include at least one of: (i) a first scenario in which the viewpoint is enlarged when a user is preparing a golf shot from a location other than the green on a golf course and the user's center of gravity moves toward a target (e.g., from the user's location to the hole cup's location); (ii) a second scenario in which the viewpoint is reduced when the user is preparing a golf shot from a location other than the green on a golf course and the user's center of gravity moves in an opposite direction to the target (e.g., from the hole cup's location to the user's location); (iii) a third scenario in which the viewpoint is changed to a bird's-eye view when the user is preparing a golf shot from a green on a golf course and the user's center of gravity moves toward the target; and (iv) a fourth scenario in which the viewpoint is changed so that the height (altitude) of the viewpoint is lowered and the slope of the green can be displayed on the display when the user is preparing a golf shot from a green on a golf course and the user's center of gravity moves in an opposite direction to the target. Meanwhile, the viewpoint change scenario according to one embodiment of the present invention may include various scenarios in addition to the above-described scenarios, and various scenarios may be included within the scope that can achieve the purpose of the present invention.

[0084] As another specific example, the point-in-time information determination unit (220) according to one embodiment of the present invention can dynamically determine point-in-time information based on the point-in-time change scenario described above.

[0085] Therefore, according to the present invention, point-of-view information can be determined in various ways according to various point-of-view change scenarios that are stored in advance, and user experience can be enhanced.

[0086] Next, the communication unit (230) according to one embodiment of the present invention can perform a function that enables data transmission and reception from / to the information acquisition unit (210) and the time information determination unit (220).

[0087] Lastly, the control unit (240) according to one embodiment of the present invention can perform a function of controlling the flow of data between the information acquisition unit (210), the time information determination unit (220), and the communication unit (230). That is, the control unit (240) according to one embodiment of the present invention can control the flow of data from / to the outside of the time information management system (200) or the flow of data between each component of the time information management system (200), thereby controlling the information acquisition unit (210), the time information determination unit (220), and the communication unit (230) to perform their own unique functions.

[0088] Below, the content of determining viewpoint information on a virtual golf simulator will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0089] Example 1

[0090] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the information acquisition unit (210) may acquire at least one of first information regarding the pressure applied by the user to the ground and second information regarding the user's golf shot. Here, the information acquisition unit (210) may acquire at least one of the first information and the second information from at least one of the at least one pressure sensor and at least one image sensor.

[0091] Next, the viewpoint information determination unit (220) can estimate that the user is in a state where he or she is stopped for a golf shot (e.g., ready state) in response to the determination that the change in the user's posture is below a reference value and the golf ball has not been hit, and can determine the reference viewpoint information (e.g., viewpoint direction from the position of the golf ball to the target) on the virtual golf simulator as viewpoint information.

[0092] Next, referring to (b) of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the viewpoint information determination unit (220) calculates the direction or distance (for example, 15 cm in the ventral direction) in which the user's center of gravity (313) moves based on the first information, and can dynamically determine the viewpoint information from the reference viewpoint direction (400) to the first viewpoint direction (410) by referring to the direction or distance in which the center of gravity (313) moves.

[0093] Conversely, referring to (c) of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the viewpoint information determination unit (220) calculates the direction or distance (e.g., 15 cm in the dorsal direction) in which the user's center of gravity (313) moves based on the first information, and dynamically determines the viewpoint information from the reference viewpoint direction (400) to the second viewpoint direction (410) by referring to the direction or distance in which the center of gravity (313) moves.

[0094] Here, referring to (b) and (c) of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the greater the distance by which the user's center of gravity (313) moves, the greater the angle formed by the reference point direction (400) and the first point direction (410) or the angle formed by the reference point direction (400) and the second point direction (420). Conversely, the shorter the distance by which the user's center of gravity (313) moves, the smaller the angle formed by the reference point direction (400) and the first point direction (410) or the angle formed by the reference point direction (400) and the second point direction (420).

[0095] Second Example

[0096] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first information may include information about the user's center of gravity.

[0097] Here, the information acquisition unit (210) can acquire information about the user's center of gravity as first information from at least one pressure sensor and at least one image sensor.

[0098] Next, the point information determination unit (220) can calculate the direction or distance in which the user's center of gravity moves based on the first information (i.e., information about the user's center of gravity).

[0099] Next, the point-of-view information determination unit (220) can dynamically determine the point-of-view information by referring to the direction or distance in which the center of gravity moves.

[0100] Third Example

[0101] According to one embodiment of the present invention, first information regarding pressure applied by a user to the ground can be obtained from at least one image sensor.

[0102] Specifically, the information acquisition unit (210) according to one embodiment of the present invention can identify position information of both feet of the user from an image acquired from at least one image sensor.

[0103] Next, the information acquisition unit (210) can estimate information about the user's center of gravity based on the user's foot position information (e.g., relative position information) and acquire the estimation result as first information. Furthermore, the information acquisition unit (210) can acquire second information from at least one image sensor.

[0104] Next, the point information determination unit (220) can determine point information on the virtual golf simulator by referring to at least one of the first information and the second information.

[0105] Therefore, according to the present invention, even when only an image sensor is used, it is possible to estimate the center of gravity and determine viewpoint information based on this.

[0106] Example 4

[0107] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first information may include information regarding the position and direction of the user's feet.

[0108] Here, the information acquisition unit (210) can acquire information about the position and direction of the user's feet as first information.

[0109] Next, the viewpoint information determination unit (220) can calculate the degree of change in the user's viewpoint direction based on the position and direction of the user's left foot and the position and direction of the right foot.

[0110] Next, the viewpoint information determination unit (220) can dynamically determine viewpoint information based on the degree of change in the user's viewpoint direction.

[0111] Example 5

[0112] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the information acquisition unit (210) can further acquire third information regarding the user's play situation on the virtual golf simulator.

[0113] Next, the point-of-view information determination unit (220) can determine a point-of-view change scenario corresponding to at least one of the first information, the second information, and the third information.

[0114] Next, the point-of-view information determination unit (220) can dynamically determine point-of-view information based on the point-of-view change scenario.

[0115] The embodiments of the present invention described above may be implemented in the form of program commands that can be executed by various computer components and recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium may include program commands, data files, data structures, etc., either singly or in combination. The program commands recorded on the computer-readable recording medium may be specially designed and configured for the present invention or may be known and available to those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes, optical recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, magneto-optical media such as floptical disks, and hardware devices specifically configured to store and execute program commands, such as ROMs, RAMs, and flash memories. Examples of program commands include not only machine language codes generated by a compiler, but also high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc. Hardware devices may be changed into one or more software modules to perform processing according to the present invention, and vice versa.

[0116] Although the present invention has been described above with specific details such as specific components and limited examples and drawings, these are provided only to help a more general understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above examples, and those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can make various modifications and changes based on this description.

[0117] Therefore, the idea of ​​the present invention should not be limited to the embodiments described above, and not only the scope of the patent claims described below but also all scopes equivalent to or equivalently modified from the scope of the patent claims are considered to fall within the scope of the idea of ​​the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for determining view point information on a virtual golf simulator, A step of obtaining at least one of first information about a pressure applied by a user to the ground and second information about a golf shot of the user, and A step of determining point-in-time information on a virtual golf simulator by referring to at least one of the first information and the second information method.

2. In paragraph 1, At least one of the first information and the second information is obtained from at least one pressure sensor that can be placed on the ground. method.

3. In paragraph 1, The second information is obtained from at least one image sensor. method.

4. In paragraph 1, The above point information includes at least one of information about enlargement or reduction of a point of view on the virtual golf simulator, information about a direction of the point of view, information about a location of the point of view, and information about movement of the point of view. method.

5. In paragraph 1, In the above decision step, the reference point information on the virtual golf simulator is determined as the point information in response to the user's posture change being below the reference value and the golf ball not being hit. method.

6. In paragraph 1, In the above decision step, the direction or size of movement of the center of gravity of the user is calculated based on the first information, and the point information is dynamically determined by referring to the direction or size of movement of the center of gravity. method.

7. In paragraph 1, In the above acquisition step, third information about the user's play situation on the virtual golf simulator is further acquired, In the above decision step, the time point information is dynamically determined by further referring to the third information. method.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium recording a computer program for executing the method according to paragraph 1.

9. A system for determining point information on a virtual golf simulator, An information acquisition unit that acquires at least one of first information about a pressure applied by a user to the ground and second information about a golf shot of the user, and A point-in-time information determining unit that determines point-in-time information on a virtual golf simulator by referring to at least one of the first information and the second information. System.

10. In paragraph 9, At least one of the first information and the second information is obtained from at least one pressure sensor that can be placed on the ground. System.

11. In paragraph 9, The second information is obtained from at least one image sensor. System.

12. In paragraph 9, The above point information includes at least one of information about enlargement or reduction of a point of view on the virtual golf simulator, information about a direction of the point of view, information about a location of the point of view, and information about movement of the point of view. System.

13. In paragraph 9, The above time information determination unit determines the reference time information on the virtual golf simulator as the time information in response to the determination that the change in the user's posture is below a reference value and the golf ball has not been hit. System.

14. In paragraph 9, The above point information determination unit calculates the direction or distance in which the center of gravity of the user moves based on the first information, and dynamically determines the point information by referring to the direction or distance in which the center of gravity moves. System.

15. In paragraph 9, The above information acquisition unit further acquires third information about the user's play situation on the virtual golf simulator, The above time information determination unit dynamically determines the time information by further referring to the third information. System.

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